The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1906-10-12

| 5OT7 TELEF7ONES AT
now are, of their natural and rightful
use of the roads. We may well con-
slider whether for the present automo-
biles should not be prohibited the use
of certain highways, especially some of
our narrow hill roads where the pass
ing of a team and automobile is i'm
possible without great danger to the
occupants of the team.
The present law provides for a NOM
inal registration fee of two dollars for
each machine and an annual license fee
of two dollars for operators. These
together with dealers licenses produced
last year $3,39S.94 Considering the
use which automobiles have of our high
way and their size, weight and speed,
l think that they should pay an an
nual fee, adjusted upon some reason
able and fair basis sufficient to pro-
duce a more substantial revenue for
state highway purposes. There should
be some provision by which machines
from without the state using our high
ways should pay a like license fee.
One of the greatest difficulties is
the lack of consideration shown by
some drivers of automobiles when they
meet horses unaccustomed to them
It will be impossible for you to frame
any law which will make people
thoughtful and considerate, but you
should consider whether the rules of
the road for automobiles can in any
way be improved so that the conduct
of the few thoughtless may be made
to conform more closely to the action
which the courtesy of most people
naturally suggests.
GRADE CROSSINGS.
The crossing of railroads and high
ways under the most favorable cir
cumstances. As the frequency and
speed of train service has increased
the danger both to those using the
railroads and the highways has like
wise increased. The reports of the
Railroad Commissioners show that
during the ten years from 1894 to
1904 there were one hundred accidents
at grade crossings in the state Of Yer
mont by which fifty persons were killed
and fifty others more or less seriously
injured.
In the early construction of rail
roads it would have been practically
impossible to build them without grade
crossings; but now they should be
gradually removed. The life and
safety of our people are involved in
this important question. 1t is receiv-
ing serious attention in all of our sis
ter states. In Massachusetts from
1890 to 1905 inclusive there was ex-
pended for the removal of grade cross
ings $24,310,37767 of which the rail
roads paid $14,721 ,S9704, the state
So, APO, 6O1 .93, and the cities or towns
So, 129,6S9.76. Our statutes provide
that the Railroad Commissioners may
under certain conditions order the
removal of grade crossings, but the
law is only permissOry in character
and but little progress is being made
in that direction. The time has come
when Vermont should recognize this
great and increasing danger to her peo-
pie and provide for the gradual COM
pulsory adjustment of these grade
crossings. Connecticut has such law.
We cannot expect to make rapid prog
ress in their removal but must be con-
sentative so as not to burden unduly
either our people or the railroad COM
panies.
There should continue to be, as at
present, provision for fair division
of the expense between the railroad
company and the town or city in
which the crossing is located. The
state, as is so generally done elsewhere,
may well contribute something, to be
limited by law, to this i'm
of our highways and to the
greater safety of our people. The |
number of crossings to be removed in
any year should be specifically limited |
Instead of the limitation under the
present permissory system, contained |
in V. S. 3S42, to the removal of not
more than one year in any one coun-
ty on any one railroad, 1 suggest that |
a more reasonable basis for the rail-
roads themselves and for all concern
ed would be a limitation based upon
the mileage of the railroad. The law
might require, for example, that there
should be one grade crossing removed
each year for every specified number of
miles which a railroad operates in the
state
CONCLUSION.
1 cannot urge upon you too strongly
the Importance of taking up your work
and actively. Many of you
are strangers to each other and new to
the work before your. These reasons
and many others tend to delay the
progress of the important work of the