Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-10-06

ings Upon the recommendation OF the |
board this Improvement has been made |
by several roads, notably the Central Ver-
mont. Canadian Pacific, Bennington and
Rutland and Montpelier and Wells River |
ELECTRIC RAILROADS..
The phenomenal growth of electric rail- |
ways in the United States In the past ten |
years Is a marked feature OF the develop |
ment of the country, and 1t is not too
much to say that the future development
OF this method of transportation is to DE
equally vast and important Not only
passengers, but baggage, mail, express
and freight are now transported over cleo
trio lines. and Vermont affords n fertile
field for building such roads. Within the
present biennial term three electric roads
have been completed and put Into sue
cessful operation and several others are
soon to be built.
The importance OF this innovation in the
matter OF transportation brought about
by these roads cannot be yet fully esti-
mated, but tho future welfare OF our State
must be augmented by the building of
such lines. They are destined to bring
sections of our State heretofore cut of
from railroad facilities Into direct com
muniCation with steam railroad lines and
are to be potent factors in increasing the
business interests of Vermont. Cndcvcl-
oped water powers ore to he utilized. To-
calties rich in mineral wealth are to bo
made easily accessible. farming commu-
mites heretofore distant from points of
shipment OF the products Of tho farm TO
market are TO be put In close contact with
lines of transportation. and scenes unsur-
passed in beauty arc to be opened TO the
tourist and summer visitor; all of which
cannot but add to the prosperity and
wealth OF our people. The electric road
is a necessity not only to our prosperous
and growing cities and larger villages but
to the farming towns and communities
wherever the latter are now removed from
the lines of the steam roads. With the
advent of this method of transportation.
and the consequent obligations. duties ana
responsibilities Of the manage of such
lines as common carriers, naturally arisc
, the question of State supervision, and the
same reasons that eNist for supervision
over steam roads would seem to apply TO
: electric roads. The liability OF personal
injuries to passengers and employees on
electric lines, especially in the crowded
centres and where such lines cross steam
: roads at grade. renders 1t important, 81
: far as that branch Is concerned. thut leg
: islaton be enacted. placing these roads
: under the supervision of the board of rail-
: road commissioners. and II would seen
!, that power should he granted the board &c
. exact from them returns showing their Il
! nanCial transactions and statistics of op
> Grafton. The board is being constantly in
: qured OF by people in and out of thu
, State for statistics concerning electric a:
= we'll as steam roads, and 1t now has NJ
= : data whereby to furnish information con
cerning the former. fact that in itsel
furnishes reason that legislation should
be enacted so that the board may be pos
scssod of the statistical information re
quircd.
All OF which is respectfully submitted.
ZED 5. STANTON.
FRANK KENFtELD.
JOHN y. MILLER,
Railroad Commissioners