Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-01-21
COMMISSIONERS PAY IS CUT
Mr.. Icnry's Amendment Carried re-
ducing Salaries from S..50O to
SI.7GO with Expcnscs-Scnmtc
Passes NH Raising Cow
crncr's Salary to $500.

third reading just before adjournment
last evening and finally passed by Il vote
of no to so.
When the bill was reached this after
noon Mr.. Boyce of Waterbury offered
an amendment which was adopted which
prevents the commission from restricting
competition or limiting the number of
persons or companies allowed to engage
in the business Of furnishing lights. heat,
power or any other business subject to
the provisions of the bill.
Mr.. Howe Of st. Johnsbury wanted
telephone companies specified in the
amendment as well as light, heat and
power service. The amendment was sat
isfactory to Mr.. Barber OF Brattloboro.
the author Of the bill.
Mr.. Loaiy OF Burlington believed the
amendment along the right line but he
said it would be impossible to compete
unless the commission gave permission TO-
a corporation to 20 into business.
Mr.. Barber OF Brattleboro replied that
there is nothing in the general law or
in tho bill under discussion to- prevent
anyone coming to the Legislature and
getting n charter to begin business.
SHALL TAKE EFFECT APRIL T..
The amendment prevailed ana the bill
was further amended on motion Of Mi.
Barber Of Brattleboro so that it shall
take effect april l, 1909.
Nh. l%ary of Burlington then propos-
cd an amendment making the salary of
the public service commissioners Si,1J0
annually and necessary expenses instead
of 500 as provided for in The bill. This
was an increase Of 5000 per year irom
what the railroad commissioners are
nnss rnT.iyipn M a.-- ..fI th. ,.4tl-
roads commissioners now cost the State
S., 500 and the new commissioners would
cost it $500. He believed the amended
salary was sufficient for the next two
years until it was found out Just how
much Was to he required of these COM
missioners.
Mr.. Barber of BrattlcDoro and Mr..
Williams Of Newport opposed the amend
meHt. Mr.. Harding of Nershire thought
the public service commission would be
a pretty expensive luxury at best ana
lie favored the lower salary. BY a vote
Of ia to GO the amendment proposed by
Mr.. Leary was adopted.
On the question Of the passage Of the
bill, Mr.. Daniels of East Montpelier
made a characteristic speech in which
he objected especially to that feature Of
the bill that the commission shall have
IuIISultllbu anu tbltIOl over all ltlt-
phone companies. He said he is Il dircc-
tor in an independent telephone COM
pany ami wanted no Interference from
II public service commission. Mr.. Daniels
offered an amendment striking out the
supervision Of telephone lines.
MIR. DANIELS VOTED ALONE.
AR. Watson of St. Adams city objected
to this amendment on the ground that
telephone lines are among the principa
things the bin seeks to put under the
control OF the public service commission.
lie believed the amendment would les-
troy the effect Of the bill. II the time
has come when the public service should
be supervised, let US pass this bill and
have done with it, Mr.. Daniels was the
only one VINO voted for his amend
ment-
Mr.. Goodall of Whitingham believed
that the state is more frightened thar
hurt in regard to the needs of a publ,
service commission and he opposed tn,
bill.
Mr.. Harding Of Vershlre moved to dis
miss the bill hut later withdrew hi:
motion. Mr.. Blaisdell of Bridport though.
the reason the independently telephone
companies are opposed ~ this bin is be
tiusc IL IL III nv lHlfltEl % lll' .NtN
England Telephone company. lie though
the Legislature ought to do nothing tt
interfere with the independent telephone
companies.
Mr., Ballou of Chester. at this point
after the bill had been discussed 70
nearly two hours, moved the preVlou
question which was demanded and By
yea and nay vote of 40 to 30 the ilous
passed the bill.
STATE FAIR APPROPRIATION.
The Senate passed in concurrence thi
afternoon the bill uppropriating $500 AN
nually for the next two years for til
use Of tie State fair commission. Soma
tor Bliss of Washington was the onl
senator who opposed the bill on the moo
and il was favored by Senators Lewis q
Orleans. Cory Of Washington. Kiido
and Sherwin of Windsor and McIam c
Orange. The bin was passed by a We
and nay vote Of Is to s..
The Senate this afternoon also passc
the House bill increasing the salary e.
the Governor from l,5C0 to $3.50 and "a
lowing him 81 900 annually for the e.
penses of his staff,
TO AID THE l. SOLDIERS.
An unexpected debate was sprung
the House this morning when the hi
excmpting soldiers and sailors of II
Civil war or their widows from taxi
ton to the amount Of 1900 when the
own less than $1,000 worth Of proper
was reported to the House adverse
BY the judiciary committee. Mr.. Baco
of Hartford who introduced the b
Spoke earnestly in It's support, as d
MIR. Brennan of Fairfield.
Mr.. Howe of Bennington thought In
neither the state OF Vermont or the fee
eral government takes very good care
the old soldiers and their widows. Tht
separate husbands and wife IN order tn
they may get along, and he was heart
II, favor Of the bill. Mr.. Johnson
Woodstock said only a very few vetcral
CT the civil War are left ana we ca
never do too much for those that r
main.
Mr.. Martin OF Brooklinc opposed Il
bill on the ground that the governme
Is generous in pensions for old soldio
and that the veterans or their widoy
who have 5000 worth of property a