The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1907-03-01
BIG STICK FOR
B. an. Pat. co.
PeremptOry Demand That
Franchise be Lived up to
HINTED AT
City Council With Central Labor Union
Delegates Present Takes Important
Action--company Pays One
Bill,

Bill,
Like as parent administers ellastise-
ment to an erfing child, SO the city
fathers last night laid the local trac-
tion company gently over their collective
knee and inflicted punishment for failure
TO abide by the stipulations Of the fran
chise by which the road is operated in
Barre. Fifteen delegates To the Central
Labor Union, which has been trying to
get a resumption of d 2lacent fare on
certain cars, watched the operation and
finally agreed that a good Job had been
done. The result was the adoption Of
d resolution insisting that the franchise
be lived up to under penalty of legal
action, and Mayor Barclay struck ne
sponsive chord when he declared that the
proper step would be an injunction, the
audience cheering.
President CruiclSshank Of the G. T.. u.
outlined their efforts to get satisfaction
from the company, and then read reso-
luton, adopted III mass meeting OF
union men, asking the city council to
compel the Barre and Montpelier Power
and Traction company to respect its
franchise. Following his talk, AldeTman
Cutler, chairman of the street commit
tee, presented a resolution as follows;
The Resolution.
That whereas many complaints of
reputable citizens and complaints Of var
ious organizations have been made To the
members Of the city council, relative to
the manner in which the Barre and Mont.
pelieT Power and Traction company is
operating lis electric railroad within the
limits Of the city Of Barre; and whereas,
the said company is operating its line
within the city Of Barre under fran
chise granted TO ii by the city council
OF the city in the year 1896, the said
franchise containing various require
ments and conditions that the said com
pany should do and perform on its part (;
And whereas, the said company has
not in many ways complied with the
terms and conditions Of its franchise 10
the annoyance, Inconvenience and dam.
age OF the citizens Of the city OF Barre
Therefore, be it resolved by the city
council Of the city Of Barre that the
said company remove OF pay the expense
of removing all snow and ice from its
track and spread it over the remainder
Of the street 20 as to give a safe and
unobstructed passageway for sleighs,
etc, as required by its franchise.
And further, said company shall carry
free Of charge all uniformed policemen,
and all firemen wearing badges, when
going TO and from fires, on all lines ope-
rated by said company in said city, as
required by its franchise.
And further, that said company shall
place on each end of their cars in plain
letters. the point of their destination, as
required by its franchise.
And further that said company shall
keep that portion of the highway be-
tween its tracks, and for distance Of
two feet each side Thereof. in az good
condition for travel in all respects as Il
the adjacent street, as required by its
franchise.
And further, that said company shall
maintain its guard against the rail as
required BY its franchise.
And further, that said company shall
give transfer tickets to all of its own
lines within tte city limits and the fare
shall not exceed five cents, as required
BY its franchise.
And further, that the said company
shall perform each, every and all Of the
conditions named in the franchise, ac-
cording TO the terms thereof, and on fail
ure of said company to comply with the
terms and conditions, legal action shall
be taken, il necessary, to compel said
company Co carry out the conditions and
requirements of the franchise.
At the close Of an extended discussion
this resolution was adopted Among
those who spoke were all the city council
who were present alderman Burke and
Albisetti were abscnt), President Cruick
shank Of the G. H. e., City Clerk Mae
KAY, ]. u. Robbins, John Aadlier and
Supt Of Streets Bruce, The union men
said that the local directors Of the com
panv had seemed in favor Of the resump.
tion of the half-fare tickets, but were
outyoted BY the others. They doubted
the sincerity of these latter, for after
stating that the tickets had been with.
drawn because of new railroad law,
they had refused 10 agree TO resume the
sale OF the tickets if undoubted legal
authority should be furnished that such
sale would not constitute discrimination
Tho speakers said that they considered
the company was trying to make up the
extra tax which they had been called
upon to pay, and SO abolished the half.
fare.
They considered also that the traction
company has ridden rough-shod over the
people OF Barre ever since the franchise
was granted them. The Cutler resolu-
ton was All right II II was followed by
action. They did not consider that il
was the province of the council TO DE-
mand that the half.fare tickets be ie'
sumed. for II had nothing to do Will
the, franchise, but they did wish. the
council to make a request 70 that effect
On the matters within the bounds 81
the franchise, they wanted the council
u demand and 70 enforce their demands
Furthermore, the union men present
wanted Il to be understood that, whilt
the G. J.. L. is back of this, It is the
entire people Of Barre that are interest
ed. They promised the support OF al
least 30 per cent Of the voters
The various demands of the Cutler
resolution were discussed. also the plac
ing Of salt on the tracks and the exten
sion Of the South Main street line q
Quarry street. City Attorney Carver
through Alderman Cutler, reported thai
there no general law and nothing il thl
city charter to prevent the use Of salt
Oh Che street, but that tiie practice could