Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1906-02-23
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 90, 1906.
The Automobile Question AGAIN

The following very pertinent letter in
regard to the monopolizing of our high
ways by automobiles, is from the New
York Tribune. We add comments by
the American Horse Breeder and also
editorial from that paper. This letter is
by far the most complete exposition of this
subject. which we have yet seen. Nor
does it overstate the gravity of the stu
alton. 1t is also most sensible and timely
because it points out the only possible
remedy-that the automobiles have their
own roads.
The importance of this question is so
great especially in an agricultural State
like Vermont, the most valued rights of
very large proportion of our people be-
ing attacked, with legislatures influenced
by strong lobby, unquestionably organ
lied over the country for such purpose
upon large scale blythe manufacturers
of these machines, and those who use
them, that, as the Register has said be-
fore, the question will have to enter our
politics; nor do we believe that any
candidates for State offices will be sup
ported by the people, until they have
signified unqualifiedly that they are in
favor of law granting the necessary
rights and privileges and requiring that
the automobiles build, their own roads.
If eventually all the people could use
automobiles in their different avocations
and horses be discarded, the question
would be different one; but this is
not possible. Always an agricultural
community, like that of Vermont must
very largely depend upon animal power in
their ordinary business. This is true not
only in agriculture but also in numbering
and teaming generally. And in winter
In a northern country like Vermont
automobiles cannot be used at ALL II
would be equally impossible to use them
when the frost is coming out of the
ground or even with ordinary mud.
But it is most evident that the great
majority of the people cannot afford
to buy automobiles for temporary uses
and also keep horses for their more
general use. Only few of the more
wealthy or extravagant would do this
1t follows that the great ma iority of
our people will always have to use the
horse, and their rights should be and
must be paramount. That the laborers of
the community, composing the great
mass of its population, should be in
terrupted in their business and exposed
to great inconvenience and peril for the
pleasure of few and those largely non
residents Of the State, is an incredible
proposition.
Because of this, we believe the few
who are citizens of the State and have
thoughtlessly purchased automobiles,
WILL of their own accord, under present
conditions, give up their use. And, if
automobiles are to be used within our
borders, practically the whole population
will unite in restricting them, like the
steam cars, to roads constructed especi-
ally for their use.
Automobiles on Highways.
10 the Editor of the Tribune:-
Slr-Will you permit plain farmer to
thank you for the frank and powerful
words you have printed, editorially as
well as from other citizens, regarding the
automobile outrage?
we IN the country cannot understand
city conditions, and aught not to make
suggestions or give advice concerning
them The automobile may be "aii |
right in the city; we don't know. But
with us in the country it is today the