The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1908-10-14
LEGISLATIVE
.SEARCHLIGHT
Is Directed on Telephone
Companies
WILL REPORT PROMPTLY
The Telephone Loby Is Expected to Rally
to Defend Themselves from Attack
Legislature Gets to
Work.
WILL REPORT PROMPTLY

obdNe uousti bVts IL
The House and Senate really got down
to business this morning and one impor-
tant measure in each body was brought
up. The greatest surprise was sprung
in the House when Mr. Martin Of Brook.
line, introduced resolution which was
taken to be the first administration
measure OF the session. 1t provided for
committee TO investigate telephones,
cost of maintenance, deterioration, etc,
in this state, and to report the findings
within 90 days,
After the resolution had been read by
the clerk, the speaker called for a vote
on its adoption. There was a rather
feeble response. The nays appeared
10 have about the same volume, 80
Speaker Cheney called for another ex-
pressions. This time the "ayes" were
more numerous and the speaker declared
the resolution adopted. Following the
vote on the resolution there was a buzz
OF voices about the House, as the resolu
tion was really the first subject to come
up for consideration.
The resolution is comprehensive one
and provides for the taking of testi.
mony. II reads as follows: That the
speaker of the House is hereby author
lied to appoint committee Of five mem
bers to make a thorough inquiry regard
ing the cost Of original construction, OPP
Grafton and management OF the telephone
companies OF this state, including the
annual cost OF repair and general deteri-
oration, and whether the lines are estab-
lished with proper regard for the safety
Of the people and their property, the
charges for service by the respective
companies, and make their report to
this body within 20 days. And said com.
mittee shall b. empowered to employ a
typewriter and stenogapher TO take ties.
timony and receive pay for their neces-
sary expenses in the discharge of their
duties as aforesaid"
1t Is generally believed that this will
be the alarm necessary to bring together
the telephone lobby. TO check ii possible,
the Advancement Of any legislation in
the direction in which the resolution
aims.
A Bill Passed House.
House bill No. /, the measure proyid.
ing for the issuance OF bonds by st. |
Albans City for the installation of
pumping plant, was read for the third |
time and passed this morning under sus
pension Of rules, upon motion of Mr.. |
Watson Of st, Albans. The bill came |
into the Senate this morning, was con-
sidered by the committee to which it I
was referred during the sessions Of that |
body, and was passed under suspension
Of rules
In the Senate, Cory of Montpelier
presented joint resolution providing
that the president Of the Senate appoint
five members and the speaker Of the
House ten members to act with the APP
committee to consider all
bills relating to the celebration of the
Iercentennial of the discovery of Lake
ghamplain. Senator Sherwin of Wind 4
sor asked why these special measures
that were coming up needed special con
Senator kidder Of Windsor
also inquired. and upon an explanation
by Senator Cory that he thought it
'ould be more readily handled in this
way, remarked that it looked to him
ike a sort of guardian for the appro-
committee. Senator Finn said
hat he did not want to 60 on record as
opposing the measure, but that he would
move that it be laid on the table. This
lction was taken by the Senate.
The committee on the revision Of bills {
S hard at work in the rooms it has used
ince its institution The members of
he committee are Senators Butler and
)onoway, both lawyers, and Representa-
ives Watson OF st. Albans, Leary of
Burlington and Martin of Essex Hale K
Darling Of Chelsea is acting as clerk, ,
nd takes charge of the important detail
art of the work with reference to the
of the bills presented, etc.
III bills pass through the hands OF this
TO get the rough edges knock !
d off and the polish put on. Walter /
!. Fenton of Rutland has been engaged |
5 stenographer. 4
This morning the committees to can I
ass votes for congressman were appoint !
d and the official vote will be announced a
his afternoon at 3;l5. Upon motion /
t Mr.. Fish of Vergennes, the House !
oted not to come in until 8 o'clock this
fternoon on account of the meetings
+ two insurance companies in this city
o-day.