Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1905-01-20
BRATTLEBORO LOCAL NEWS
WANTS BROAD GAUGE
C. R. Crosby Believes In Greater
Brattleboro.
Points out Benefits to Be Derived by
Having Brattleboro G. Whitehall Road
Outlet to Lumber Region.

Outlet to Lumber Region.
Editor of the Phoenix.
Dear Sir:-Referring to the article in
your issue of Jan. 18th, relative to the
%. 900 acres of timber purchased i'm the
heart of our county: The Importance of
this deal is hardly realized by the citizens
Of our town and valley. There is nothing
that will increase the prosperity of this
town SO much as to have arrangements
Immediately made whereby this great
tract of land will be tributary to the Brat
tleboro q Whitehall railroad, and If for
any reason this is allowed to go by default
simply another part of the county will
he cut off and this community will again
feel the great loss of business prestige,
and also the chagrin that we experienced
when. after the Wilmington railroad
was almost an accomplished fact we saw
it killed for personal reasons and that
part of the county taken away from us
with its vast business for all time.
We realize that The Vermont Phoenix
has great influence throughout the Coun-
tY and we dislike very much to see the
position taken relative to the disposition
of the stock. Advice is practically given
the stockholders not to relnquish n
worthless piece of paper in exchange for
vast public benefits. The original cost of
the stock should not be taken into mind.
for when the road was built this stock
road constructed. Surprising the road
had not been built how much business
would people in the West River valley be
able to do today?
1t has been a long time since the liti-
cation was begun and how much better
off are the stockholders for it? You may
ask any shipper on the line and he will
tell you the facilities for handling freight
are no better. 1t is a fact that. If clear
title had been given the Central Vermont
railroad a year ago. i'm exchange they
would have broad gaugcd the road and
had it completed by September LIST last.
which would have meant thousands of
dollars directly and indirectly to every
lumber dealer, farmer and stOre-keeper
on the line of this road. The company
would have been prepared at this time to
extend the road up the Winhall valley
through Bondville and around to Chase
mills and then it would have only been
a few miles to fill in the link to VIII
mington.
We hope our power will be developed
on the Connecticut. which will largely
benefit this town That however. is a
great financial undertaking. but here is
something which by the scratch of the
pen will mean thousands of dollars to us
and we will not have to wait for our
children to derive the benefits.
| only wish 1 had the power to present
this case to the stockholders in such a
light that they would Immediately call
Il meeting and have this title transferred
to the Central Vermont railroad. Other
wise the road will simply die natural
death, our various towns along the line
decay with it, and instead of Brattleboro
having a chance to be the largest wood
working town in New England we shall
simply hang on.
If the citizens would nave Get To-
gether Club" the same as they have up
at st. Adams, this town would have l2,-
900 inhabitants inside of five years. for
there are forty Industries we can develop
right here from our own resources.
The great trouble is that we see THE
fly on the barn door but not the door"
Yours truly,
c. r. CROSBY.