The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1886-11-17

to sustain any injury. The present law is
just as effective and much simpler than any
Of the bills before the committee A very
serious objection to the change Is that IL
pushes the parties farther apart. The Cen.
trail road always endeavors to make such
rates as will afford all parties a fair profit on
produce and merchandise shipped The
freight rate for transporting a carload Of
potatoes to Boston is fifty dollars. If the
price of potatoes is not enough to pay this
the rate for the car is reduced so that the
farmer, the middleman and the railroad will
share the same rate of profit. The Central
road always follows this principle. A COM
mission bill will have tendency to antago-
nize the roads and the people, from its ma
ture. If any one has grievance, let him
come and discuss the matter. 1t is not
necessary, at least at first, to start anything
in the nature of a compulsory process
Come and let us reason together" He
could imagine no more dangerous prece-
dent to establish than that of allowing
any board to examine all the private
papers of the company at their pleas
ure. The principle was thoroughly evil
and utterly bad. No one could defend
such a proposition. Does not deny, how
ever, any just and proper information. 1t
by figures that the Central is carrying local
freight at u less rate per mile than through
freight. Showed the evil and impractical
bilty of graduated tariff, so-caled. Con-
corning the short haul " idea, the Central
never made a rate from Chicago; the rates
are made there and the question is only
whether the Central takes it or leaves it
alone. That road only bitches on to the
car of butter at st. Johns and takes it to
White River junction. II is no trouble at
all compared with the trouble, risk and
cost of handling local freight. Considering
everything, the local rates are lower. a
short haul bill would largely increase the
through rates on grain, etc, from Chicago
and the West. There is more than four
times as much grain brought into the state
as there Is butter sent out. If the farmers
of Vermont understood the principle and
effect of a short-haul bill, they would not
take it if they could get it, The Massachu-
sets law was especially enacted to provide
a remedy for state of affairs that never
benefit to any one it is to the state, and the
state should pay for it. The Central Ver-
mont pays annually over fifty thousand
dollars, or over one quarter of the entire
state tax, into the state treasury. This
should be enough. Did not suppose the
state will enact such law without it is
shown necessary, but where is the necessity.
1t has not been shown as yet.
Colonel Walker was called upon and
spoke for few minutes. He thought that
Governor Smith had not touched on any
important matter in question. Thought
there was great public demand for some
kind of a commission bill. Did not think
commissioners should have the right to fix
rates His principal objection was to special
rate contracts.
Governor Smiths address occupied about
one and one-half hours, and was attentively
listened to by a large audience.
Chairman Marsh gave notice that the pub
lie hearings were finally closed and the
committee adjourned finally at 9;40.