The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1901-12-11
BETTER TRAIN SERVICE.

The local committee composed of
Hon. b. f. Fifeld, Mayor j. G.
Brown, j. w. Brock, j. G. Hough-
ton, A. j. Sibley and w. e. Harlow,
held two hours conference in the
private car Mansfield" on Thurs
day afternoon, with General Manager
r. S. Logan and Superintendent c. Il.
Soule of the Central Vermont rail
road.
Mr.. Fifield, as chairman of the com
mittee, set forth the grievances of the
Montpelier public and explained why
it desired and insisted upon having
better train service from the Central
Vermont road. Mr.. Fifeld's previous
experience as attorney for the road
made him invaluable to the commit
tee, he being familiar with details
many of which became known to the
visiting Central Vermont officials for
the first time on this occasion.
The other members of the local COM
mittee related annoying experiences
which they had personally undergone
by reason of inefficient train service
between the city and Montpelier
Junction, and the committee was frank
to tell the officials that Montpelier
was tired of being made football by
the Central Vermont railroad. The
members insisted on passenger in
stead of freight service between
here and the Junction, and notified the
officials they were violating a State
law in hauling freight cars behind
their passenger trains.
The officials asked the committee
what remedy it suggested. The COM
mittee held it was not it's province to
suggest the remedy but to point out
the grievance and then for the Off
Gals to apply the cure.
Manager Logan said the company
was willing to do what it could to
meet the requirements of the patrons
of the road He said possibly some of
the main line trains could be run in
here, but not the express trains, but
he said before this could be done the
bridges between here and the juno
ton would have to be replaced with
steel structures as they are really not
safe to carry the trains which pass
over them now, to say nothing Of the
heavier engines on the main line.
He thought the company would get
in the three new bridges on the
branch line some time within the
next three years.
Mr.. Logan said there was another
way i'll which all the main line trains
could be made to pass through this
city. That is, to continue the Will
Jamestown line through to South
Royalton, distance of eighteen
miles. This would give a better
grade, as RoXbury heights would be
avoided and it would make the run
from Essex Junction to White River
Junction ten miles less. He said
this could not be done now as there
was no money available for that pur-
pose.
The conference closed about -four
O'Clock. 1t was along the lines OF
informal discussion and in friendly
spirit, although the committee in
sisted that an improvement in the SER
vice was imperative. Mr.. Logan die
not make any proposition of immedi
ate change in the service to the com.
mittee, but said he would give the
matter careful consideration.
The committee endeavored to i'm
press upon Mr.. Logan the seriousness.
of the situation and the earnestnes!
insisted upon relief. Mr.. Logan was
very courteous and seemed anxious tt
get complete understanding of the
situation. He frankly stated thai
hitherto he had not fully apprehendet
the conditions existing here admit
ting that some of them at least should
be corrected He promised to give
careful attention to the whole sub
ject-the need of double track t.
the Junction and the insufficient
strength of the two bridges would
prevent an immediate arrangement
for placing Montpelier on the mali
line. The bridges are on his list fol
rebuilding and one of them viii
probably be rebuilt next summer
Members of the committee are conf
dent that Mr. Logan will do all il
his power to better the present loca
service of his road.