These are some of the hundreds of cars which jammed traffic for hours Tuesday when motorists swarmed into the few gas stations fortunate enough to have gas in a last minute attempt to "fill up" before the new and strict system of gas rationing went into effect. This scene at the corner of Washington and Railroad avenue shows motorists waiting for the station operator to receive his gas, which finally came at 8 p.m.


New Hearing on Permit to Standard Oil Co

NORWOOD, Aug 2, 1926—Tomorrow evening In Holman Hall there will be a reopening of the hearing on the question of a permit to the Standard Oil Company to maintain a filling station at the corner of Railroad av and Washington st. Sometime in June the company applied for a license to conduct such a station.

At a hearing the evening of July 13 there was a large number in favor of granting the license and many appeared in opposition.

Francis J. Foley, a well-known citizen, who is chairman of the Municipal Building Committee, was opposed to the station, saying that several citizens in the vicinity considered it a menace to safety, and that it was not necessary to the town. Residents of Washington, George and Howard sts and Morse ave backed up Mr Foley’s statements while others, not of the neighborhood affected, were of similar mind. Dr Frederick Cleveland of the School Board and H. Miller being among them.

The proponents were led by James Folan, real estate operator. He presented a list of names of those in favor of the license, one reason being that the old building, which is quite dilapidated, would be removed and the corner widened.

The Selectmen voted to grant the license, reserving, however, certain rights and making certain conditions.

At the last meeting of the Selectmen on July 20, Mr Foley and a number of other citizens asked that the matter be reopened and a rehearing on the petition granted. After several residents had again registered their protest Mr Foley had pointed out that a large percent of the gas stations now in operation in Norwood belonged to the Standard Oil Company.

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There were so many in opposition that the Selectmen decided to grant a reopening of the hearing, which will take place Tuesday evening.

Not for many years has the granting of a permit aroused so much discussion and agitation. The Selectmen have come in for much criticism.

Chairman Mulvehill of the board, who has served the town for many years, was sorry to have this feeling about the town.

Such a large crowd is expected tomorrow night that Holman Hall had to be engaged as it was believed that the Selectmen’s room would not accommodate all who desired to attend.

The committee representing the opposition considers that the license should not be grandted because:

  1. Public convenience and necessity do not require it, as there are three stations already in this section.
  2. A gasoline station.at this location, necessitating the removal of large portions of sidewalks from Washington st and Railroad av, exposes all who use them, children as well as adults to unnecessary dangers and inconvenience.
  3. It retards the proper growth and development of the town, as it does not bring to the location the amount of taxable property it should, and it also detracts from the values of the entire neighborhood.
  4. The opponents do not believe any more gasoline station permits should be granted until a general survey of the entire town has been made, and a comprehensive plan developed for the safety, convenience and protection of the entire citizenship of our town.

The committee representing the opposition is composed of Francis J. Foley, Mrs Bernard F. Colburn, John J. Morrissey, Milton H. Howard, John P. Welch, George F. James, Rev James F. Doherty, PP; Dr F. A. Cleveland, Herbert V. Brady, Herbert H. Miller, Mary Williams, Festus McDonough, John F. Kiley, John J. Flaherty, James -Walker and Eugene L. Connolly, all property owners and influential citizens.