Action by State Senate Dims University's Hopes Of Obtaining House Site

Action in the state Senate yesterday effectively dampened the University's hopes of purchasing the Bennett St. MTA yards for the construction of a tenth House.

Late in the afternoon the Senate moved to table indefinitely and, in effect, to kill Governor Furcolo's bill to purchase the New Haven Railroad's Old Colony Line, Earlier, the House had passed the controversial bill by a vote of 102-100.

Against this legislative backdrop, MTA general manager Thomas J. McLernon said yesterday that he has held talks about Bennett St. for several weeks with L. Gard Wiggins, Administrative vice-President. But neither McLernon nor a spokesman for the Administration would comment on the progress of the negotiations, the first since 1959.

To ensure a delay on the Old Colony action, Judge Robert E. Anderson of the New Haven Federal District Court granted yesterday afternoon an extension of the deadline for exercising the option from Dec. 16 to April 3.

Storage Substitute

Passage of the Furcolo bill would have given the MTA a good Old Colony substitute near Codman Sq. for the extensive Bennett St. maintenance and storage facilities. Lack of such alternate facilities had proven a major stumbling block in previous negotiations between the University and the MTA trustees.

The possibility that the Old Colony bill would be passed had led to speculation that the University might well be on its way to buying the Bennett St. area.

Several other factors had cansed similar speculation. McLernon had indicated a willingness earlier this fall to sell the yard "the sooner, the better" and for the biggest possible profit.

Also prospective changes in the MTA system, including a possible bond issue of $5 million for new rolling stock, had caused talk that the MTA might soon need funds. The University was prepared to offer $4 million for the Bennett St. yards when the negotiations became public in January, 1959.

After McLernon's statement Governor-elect John A. Volpe formally endorsed the sale. As sole authority over the three MTA trustees, Volpe will have the power to initiate a transaction with the University when he takes office in January, if he so wishes.

As governor, he will also have the prerogative of reviving Old Colony legislation. Despite yesterday's legislative setback, observers still beliove that the University will eventually own the Bennett St. yards.