Here’s a look back at what appeared in the pages of the Record-Journal 50 and 100 years ago this week.

Warden’s plan for traffic would repair Ward Street and relieve congestion on Quinnipiac

Warden Bridgett suggested a plan to relieve congestion on Quinnipiac Street by opening another route and repairing the lower end of Ward Street from Cherry Street west to Justice with Quinnipiac making a good road.

The warden had studied the acknowledged issue of the congestion on Quinnipiac Street east of Cherry Street and reaching Colony Street carefully and the greatest nuance was where trolley cars pause to change for opposite directions.

General Manager Penderford of the Connecticut company turned down the proposed project.

Basic wage package vetoed by president

WASHINGTON — President Nixon vetoed a bill to raise the federal minimum wage to $2 an hour stating it would unfortunately do more harm then good.

He said the bill supported by the administration would increase the minimum wage for non-farm workers to $1.90 immediately and then $2.30 over the next three years.

“I believe that this is a much more prudent and helpful approach,” he said.

President Nixon called on Congress to pass a new and less extensive minimum wage bill this year that would be less inflationary and not hurt those who can least afford it.

The house scheduled a vote Sept. 19 on a motion to override the veto.

Basic Wage Package Vetoed By President 07 Sep 1973, Fri Record-Journal (Meriden, Connecticut) Newspapers.com

Aldermen approve Nessing Field action

Following the passing of lifelong Meriden resident and athletic director at Maloney, Benjamin P. Nessing, the Court of Common Council approved a resolution naming the city-owned Flagg property of Murdock Avenue after him.

Following the ruling the rec area was officially named The Benjamin P. Nessing Memorial Field.

Nessing died on Aug. 21.

Alderman approve Nessing Field Action 11 Sep 1973, Tue Record-Journal (Meriden, Connecticut) Newspapers.com

Topics call for traffic system improvements

A two-way traffic system in the Central Business District of Meriden was deemed necessary, but found unfeasible.

There was a one-way traffic system in place at the time in which Purcell Associates’ preliminary TOPICS report recommended that the city take immediate steps to upgrade. The goals were a more efficient traffic flow, increased pedestrian and commercial safety and the revitalization of downtown.

Primarily due to the Federal Highway Administration ruling which stated that TOPICS funding would not be available to implement a two-way traffic system, the upgrading was more feasible, according to the Glastonbury firm.

chooks@record-journal.com

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