The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1904-10-06

of mill sites. The same policy has
been followed on the tributaries of
the Connecticut and on all the power
producing streams of the State. YER
mont should obtain q similar return
from her streams.
Let a commission be appointed, to
act without compensation, which
shall adopt plan covering the entire
State for the preservation end utiliza-
ton of it's water powers, for the con-
struotion of reservoirs and reserve
ponds on the streams, for the regula-
tion of the flow and use of the water
and for its protection from waste.
In this connection 1 would call at
tention to the general abuse of the
streams of the State, by turning into
them the chemical dyes and waste
material from manufactures end the
sewage from the towns, all OF which
could and should be taken care of by
modern disposal plants. Witness: st.
AlbaDs, st. Johnsbury, Vergennes.
Enosburg Falls, Waterbury and other
places, the condition of which and of
the streams near by has had the earn
est attention OF the board of health.
In the spring OF 1904, a petition
signed by many representative citizens
and taxpayers of the city of Burling-
ton and adjoining towns in Chitten-
den, Addison and Grand Isle counties,
was presented to the Governor, alleg-
ing the pollution of the waters of
Lake Champlain, caused by the refuse
from mills located on the streams
employing into the lake and other con-
terminating discharges therein 1 re-
ferred the whole matter OF the pollu-
tion of Lake Ohamplain to the State
board of health, furnishing them with
a copy of the petition and directing
them to make thorough investiga.
tion and report the result.
If, upon the completion of the in
vestigation, it is found that the pollu-
ton of the lake by the pulp mills and
by the sewage from the towns is in
furious and renders the lake unfit or
less fit. as source for municipal
water supply, strong and immediate
action should be taken. Besides it;
beauty, Lake Champlain is of the
highest value as a reservoir for the
furnishing of water Tor domestic use,
Its preservation or contamination is
of the utmost Importance. 1t will be
impossible to satisfactorily complete
the examination rhis season. Whether
or not it is to be continued next sea-
son depends largely upon the actor
of the State of Vermont. Resolutions
should be passed expressing your con
viction of the Importance and nee
cessity for the continuance Of this in
vestigation, and recommending ant
urgingin the strongest language YOU
Representatives in Congress to use
their best endeavors to have the worl
carried ON in thorough manner tt
its conclusion. Section II of No
115 of the Acts of 1902, relating to thu
pollution of the sources of water sup
ply, which exempts Lakes Champlaii
and Memphremagog from its provi
sions, should be repealed.
GOOD ROADS.
This nation, under high pressure
during che past thirty years, has beel
building over one Numbered and thirt,
thousand miles of steam railway ant
during the past fifteen years twenty
five thousand miles of electric rail
way.
Is it rot time that equal energy b.
years Oh general system of improved
highways throughout the country
No man can calculate the resulting
beuefits,. in the increase of farm val
ues, in the enhancement of the wealth
, the comfort, the health, the happines
of our people, lifting this nation to
higher place in the scale of tn
worlds civilization.
am not believer in national al
to the States in this matter of roa
, building. Every State in its own in
terest, should be allowedd to wor
out its own road system. There
now quite a general movement in thi
direction throughout many of til
+ States, and in our own State som
I permanent road building has bee
effected
, There is no Eaagio in This matter {
q read building. 1t will require til
a expenditure of time and money. Bu
in the future the labor and cost wi
G be repaid ten fold In the benefit
which will accrue. And it 10 easil
/, perceivable that the benefits will b
pror ortiontely greater to the smalls
n towns, which are more inaccessible
n other lines, OF communication.
E have not been able to work OF
r tor this message complete or sati
!. factory scheme for permanent higl
n ways in this State. l can only give
!. skeleton.