Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1908-10-30
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 80, 1908.
State Hig h w avs.

A certain amount of State aid, proper
ly expended on our highways, in the diff
ferent towns is doubtless conducive
to good results. But we notice
a bill has been introduced into the
Legislature appropriating S15O,O00l per
year for the construction OF trunk liAes of
highways through the State. Of course
this is in the interests of the automo-
bilists of the country, but few of whom
live in Vermont.
1t is, therefore, proposition to use the
money of the people of Vermont who have
already, at large expense to themselves,
built roads that are satisfactory to them,
for the especial benefit of Others mostly
residing outside of the State. A large
part of our population are farmers, hardly
ANY of whom have automobiles; none of
good sense, or right feeling. All they
ask is that those who want them shall
build their own roads.
Leaving the farmers, we come to the
second large body of citizens of Yer
mont, who live in the cities and larger
villages. Of these, again, only a small
proportion own automobiles; and these
largely are of a class who do not own
anything very long. Scattered among
them are few gentlemen of wealth. 1t
is inconceivable that any Vermont legis-
lature can Understandings make any
such appropriation, or, indeed, make
any appropriation whatever for such a
purpose.
To illustrate the want of thrift in a
majority of those who buy automo-
biles: Whilst lately at Burlington in
conversation with members of a well
established business firm, concerning the
accidents in that city this season from
automobiles. resulting in at least two
deaths, and several other persons quite
seriously injured, we said that those who
owned the automobiles must have heavy
damages to pay. The answer was they
thought that quite share of them were
not financially responsible.
At Middlebury there are or have been,
seven machines owned, none of them
first class, and only one second. The ag-
gregate property upon which owners are
taxed is $29,1s7; the largest to any one
individual, SIS, 900; the smallest, only a
poll tax. The population of Middlebury
at present is about $500 and property
taxed, $685. 1884.
We presume the above proportions will
hal tl,a IN,
where any automobiles are owned. And
still this small number, only one of
whom, if any, would be responsible for a
serious accident, ieopardize the comfort
and safety of large community.
Quite recently with friend returning
from the east part of the town, over a
narrow and turnpiked highway, with a
pair of high-strung and speedy young
horses, the noise and foot of an automo.
bile came from behind. We were riding
in single carriage, and there be-
ing no safe place for an automobile to
pass, we sent our horses along at twelve
mile an hour gait; but we were followed
close by the automobile, constantly toot-
Ais az 'hOuBh liltN cApeCleu We WOulu
get into the ditch. Probably, had lady
been driving our team, they would have
forced her to do it; but as we kept the
road, the automobile stayed behind unit
an opportunity presented when they
could turn out and get by, leaving us tC
hold our horses if we could. A gentle
man from New York with summer res
idence at Middlebury narrated to us re
Gently similar experience in Weybridgt
near the Chalker bridge. He was driv
ing in carriage with his wife, wher
they suddenly heard an automobile be
hind, which constantly footed anu final
ly, not succeeding in driving the team
from the road, turned out themselves
and so got by. But this gentleman sale
that all the time he was driving over tel
miles an hour.
If all automobiles were limited to ter
miles an hOur-or, better yet, eight miles
as they should be-if allowed to 20 at al
on highway, one great risk of accident
would be avoided, that of an automobile
passing swiftly from behind.
Instead of proposing to tax the people
of Vermont $3.50, 900 year to build road
for automobiles, let our legislature amend
the present automobile law so that NJ
automobiles shall be permitted to g
over ten miles an hour on any road
granting, as now, to the selectmen ant
other proper authorities the power o
further regulation when the publ
safety required. Then give half tn
fines to those who enter the complaints
and supply the evidence, and Vermonter
will feel once more that Justice and RICH
are again dominant in our State, tn
laws being made for the benefit of nine