Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1909-03-18
While CROSS ExEMp1IoN.
N. L. 5oyden Tells Why Randolph
Voted u Down.

Mr.. Euitor:-
notice in four issue Of March Ii, a
communication dated Boston, March 5,
1909," and signed "Boston White Cross
Milk Co., Per Charles L. Plumer, Gen.
Mgr"
The White Cross company must have
been in error from the first in regard Ito
exemption. The Board OF Trade could not
grant, nor could the selectmen grant, ex-
emption. Only the legal voters in town
meeting assembled under a warning noti-
flying the voters Of the subject to be acted
upon, could exempt any property from
taxation. Now this must have been fully
understood by the White Cross agent.
The secretary. of the Board of Trade said
at the meeting Of March 2, 1909, that if
was stated to the agent that members OF
the Board Of Trade would use their in
huence to have. the company exempted.
In pursuance of this agreement, an article
was put in the warning for the March
meeting of 1908 to exempt them, which
article was laid on the table without dis
cussion. At that time it was a current
report in town that the White Cross
agent had said that he would close every
creamery in town within a year and it
seemed then, and does now. that the
stead OF the White Cross.
It was said in town meeting that in q
prospectus issued by the company for the
purpose Of selling stock, they figured 80
per cent to stockholders, and Lyman
Hutchinson had one of the company's
papers that be read at the meeting March
I'd inst, in which the company figured
their profit by the day-hgured all ex-
pense and included taxes-and, after de-
Quoting everything of expense, showed a
net profit to stockholders Of more than 80
per cent. Have the White Cross forgot
ten that circular / have heard severaf
say that their agent said that they didn't
want to be exempted; but don't know
whether that is true.
Randolph village cannot furnish water
unless it has it. There was a drought,
and all the industries were shut of from
waterfall were treated alike. Did the
White Cross expect to preempt every
thing7 Was that the way they were GO
ing to close out the existing industries of
the town. II was a damage to all
branches OF business that there was
shortage OF water.
In the article OF March IL, the writer
speaks of the large amount Of milk that
went into the sewer. Was that occa-
stoned by lack Of water, or was it due to
the process
Now as to what occurred at the town
meeting Of March 2, members OF the
Board OF Trade did valiant service for the
exemption. Their arguments in the
main, were that they promised to use
their influence TO get the exemption,
while some did go 50 far as to claim they
promised exemption. They. claimed that
the town ought to exempt in order to
sustain the Board of Trade. l spoke
against exemption in behalf of many who
claimed the White Cross had not been a
benefit to the farmers and had not kept
promises made by their agent and made
the following points, based largely on in
/ formation which l received from reliable
sources
/ 1st. That no agreement made by indi-
viduals or by any body OF men, was bind
ing on the town and that it was for the
voters to determine the question OF ex-
emption.
I'd. That il the object was to destroy
other industries already established and
that had proved very satisfactory, GER
tsinly they should not be exempted.
Sd. referred to the circular or prospec-
tus that the company issued as an in.
~ H(DRlC " Uuy eAONhs An
which they showe1 very conclusively
that the business would pay all ex.
penses and taxes, and pay stock holders
80 per cent, and it seemed that they
could better afford to pay taxes thar
the farmers. l did not say that they
ever had paid stockholders 80 psr cent
or any other dividend.
4th. further said that many of the pa
irons claimed that the White Cross haC
not kept the contracts or fulfilled tn,
statements made by their agent, and sew
eral who spoke in favor Of exemption ad
mitted that, and said they thought the,
had not fulfilled all the promises made
have never seen a contract signed by tn,
J White Cross company, but certain agree
nlents were. made between their agent anS
, prospective patrons that many say wer
} not carried out and fulfilled.
Does Mr.. Charles L. Plulner, Gen
Mgr, or the company know whether al
agreements have been carried out7 Man,
} afiidavits can be furnished which wouIi
: have tendency to show that contract
were not carried out, but it is not materi
: al so far as l am concerned. / was neve
q patron of the White Cross, but argue
: the case from the standpoint Of man
who had been patrons OF it, and CAV
: them full credit for what they said wer
facts as to their dealings, and from wha
they said and what l observed argue
they had not been Of the promised benefi
to the town.
Most Of the complaints made in th
communication Of Mr.. Plumer are quit
familiar to many-they have heard theE
and are very much like the talk OF thei
agent here. Mr.. Plumer states sewers
things that "they were led to believe
People in Randolph were sled to believe
: certain things in which they find the
, were mistaken, as they claim. There al
many people in Randolph who have
high respect for their word and for fa
! dealing and il Mr.. Plumer can show tbs
any Of these men have not done all the
have agreed, they will be very glad
l make restitution, think.
l am sorry that Mr.. Plumer intimat,
that there is q possibility of his fndin
anything of "blaekmailv in the Heral
| and News, but am glad be wants to tai
the paper. He will undoubtedly have
> better opinion of Randolph and its peop
: as he becomes better acquainted.