Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1909-07-15
THE rERcENTENARY.


again to ask for the removal OF the capi-
tol to that city on the grounds that the
Legislators are s'soaked'' for board bills
in Montpelier. ~ Montpelier Argus.
The cupidiiy OF the hotel proprietors
and others " BIO provided food and lodg-
ing for the people who attended the Ter
centenary was the only blot upon the
greatest celebration 10 he state since the
dedication OF the Bennington battle mon
ument. But for the exorbitant hotel and
lodging rates there would have been
much larger gathering OF strangers in the
city during the days preceding the prin-
cipal feature, the presence Of President
TAFT. Many who bad previously planned
to spend the week in Burlington I'M
doubtedly cut tue length of their visit
down to single day aud the nvaricious
ones who had hoped to reap a harvest
we're disappointed. - Bennington Banner.
The Tercentensry at Burlington was a
big, tremendous, one-day affair. The
crowds simply swsrmed ia and ran up
into the many thoussnds-no one knows
how many. Considering the awful rush
and crush, they were well handled, both
~ the transportation companies and by
the victualers at Burlington. Indeed,
much credit is due on this score to all.
The Queen City put on her best garb and
spread herself to create a good impress
sion. So far, all well.
1t may now be said, however; that the
hopes OF making ii a gala week; OF draw
ing in thousands Of people from far and
wide who should pass days in BurIing
ton, seeing the sights aud spending their
money freely these hopes were dashed.
Nothing Of the kind transpired. Up to
Thursday there was little doing in the
way OF crowds. The food came, was
over in day, and the hotel proprietors,
boarding and lodging house keepers who
had built up fond anticlpations OF large
revenues we're left to mourn.
We are bound to say that the wide
spread belief OF excessive hotel rates was
much to blame for this. People did not
have to 90, and when they learned that
the ordinary rates had been doubled and
trebled, in some cases, natural resent
ment caused them to shorten their visit
to one day. There were doubtless ac-
cOmmodationSt be had at reasonable
prices, but the multitude did not look
that far. They judged the whole by the
part that was made public.
1t is lamentable that on occasions like
this the leading hotels will almost invari-
ably try the ''gouge" game. There is no
real excuse for raising rates, except the
opportunity offered. The talk of unusual
expense, due to hiring in extra help, etc,
is bosh, for, with the additional income
derived from the increased number served
there is still a handsome return, at regu-
lar rates. What would we think il q
railroad company should charge higher
fares during a rush because it takes more
rolling stock and help to handle it Or
Of a newspaper which should charge more
than the ordinary price per copy when il
contained something that the public
wanted particularly to read Patrons oil
hotels at such times expect-and always
HEINAGcs JUL MnEu Nutl HEt
taxed doubIy for 1t they naturally rebel
} and il possible avoid the extortion. A
: law compelling inn and lodging house
keepers to maintain their regular rates on
all occasions would be a more sensibl,
, and efhcacious act than many that find
place on our statute books.
As to the Tercentenary events them
selves, they were carried out with a higf
degree of success. The commission may
; well plume itself on what it accomplished
with the means available. President'l
day was big affair, and the stimulus o
: such an occasion will continue for a Ions
period. The distinguished guest
, brought Vermont honeyed words, o
! course, but they seem to have been sin
: cere, and what they said of Us, published
throughout the land, will help Vernon
onward in her progressive course.
Ia 0EnI0II0