The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-10-31

comforting upon some tribunal the power,
either upon its own motion, or upon appli-
cation OF railroad companies, or town or
city authorities, to investigates; and where
the public safety requires, order a change
of location or of grade, and to determine
who shall pay the expense, or to apportion
the same This might be done by way OF
amendment to existing law. This power,
If thought best, might be limited by liking
the maximum amount that should be re-
uuired to be expended in making such
changes, or the number of such changes
that should be required of any railroad IN
any one year. 1t further suggests the pro-
priety of a law requiring tlagmen, gates,
electric signals where public safety de-
1nands.
PASSENGER FARES.
The average rate of local fares for 1888
was, on the Bennington Rutland, 3 cents;
Central Vermont, 2,S cents; Hoosac Tunnel
& Wilmington, ADJ cents; Rensselaer, ~
Saratoga, 3 cents; Passumpsic, 3.169 cents;
Wells River, 4 cents; Vermont Valley, 81
cents.
FREIGHT.
The average rate of freight charges per
ton per mile for local freight for 1887 and
1888, was, on the Bennington & Rutland, 3
cents each year; Central Vermont, 272 and
cents; Rensselaer, & Saratoga, 162 and
1886 cents; Vermont Valley, 5.0S and 2.33
cents.
For 1887 there ere 100 casualties of which
AZ were fatal, 81 of the number being in
the Hartford bridge disaster. In 1888 total
casualties were %, of which 30 were fatal.
Six persons were killed while walking on
the track in 1887, ~ in 1888. The board
recommends law making it misdemeanor
punishable by fine to walk on the track
without right
CONSULTATIONS.
The following consultations, or leases of
roads in this state, have taken place: The
Boston, Hoosac Tunnel and Western, and
Troy and Boston railroads have been con-
soidated with the Fitchburg. The Con-
necticut and Passumpsic River railroad
leased to the Boston & Lowell; and later,
with the Boston & Lowell to the Boston
& Maine, as part of the Boston & Lowell
system. The Canadian Pacific, under gem
eral arrangement, has taken control OF, and
now operates, the southeastern railroads
and the Missisquo Valley has been leased
to the Central Vermont railroad. Under
this policy, expenses of management and
operation have been reduced; more efficient
train-service and larger accommodations to
the public have been furnished; better
class of equipment has been provided an
improvement in the condition of the roads,
track. and bridges has been made; and
better and more convenient facilities, by
way of connections at terminal points, have
been provided. While in former years
danger to the public from the concentration
of power and capital engaged in railroad
enterprises, these fears have been greatly
allayed, and the dangers removed, by the
establishment of the system of railroad
supervision in the several states, followed
as it has been by the legislation of congress,
known as the interstate commerce law,
with jurisdiction of all those questions of
transportation and commerce not heretofore
under the control of state commissioners.
STEAM HEATING.
The board details its Investigations of this
subject inspired by the frightful disaster at
Hartford and recommends the enactment,
at this session. of law providing that it
shall not be lawful for any railroad in the
state, after the first day of November, 1889,
to heat its passenger cars, on other than
mixed trains, by any stove or furnace in
side or suspended from the car, except in
case of accident, or other emergency requir-
ing the use of such stove or furnace, with
necessary fuel, while at rest; providing,
also, that in special cases, the Board of
Railroad Commissioners may extend the
time for period not exceeding one year,
from November l, 1885, 1t has also inves-
tigated the related subject of lighting but
makes no recommendation.