Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-04-07
ROAD BUILDERS
ARE WAKING Up
State Commissioner Tells of In
creased Interest in All Coun-
ties-Automobile Fund.

MONTPELIER April 6.-Nearly 100 road
commissioners. selectmen and automobile
owners gathered this morning in Grand
Army hall to attend the annual county
meeting of road builders held under the
direction OF c. W. Gates Of Franklin.
State highway commissioner. Every town
and city in the county was represented.
Following a cordial address of welcome
by Mayor Frank r. Dawcy the morning
hour was devoted to an address by Com
missioner Gates, in which he spoke of the
change Of sentiment in the several coun-
ties of the State in regard to the neces-
sity of good roads from that which pre-
vailed when he took the Office five years
ago Then only handful of road COM
missioner were enough Interested In the
matter to attend the county meetings,
now 1t is the exception when every town
In a county is not represented by one or
more officials VIXEN such meetings are
held.
| INCREASED APPROPRIATIONS.
Peferriug to the special appropriations
| by towns during the past three years for
! highway purposes in order to obtain "A
| like sum from the State, Mr. Gates said
| that Middlesex and Roxbury are the only
| towns In Washington county where such
money has not been voted in 1859 and 1910.
/ In 14R the towns of Washington county
voted S4,99O for this purpose, in 1903 this
sum was increased to $500, while in 1915
the towns and cities OF the county have
appropriated s66A for this purpose In
intS in lS8 Vermont towns and cities siI,
= was so voted; in 1909 in l9! towns and
cities. $50, go and In 1870 in 200 towns and
C.iics Sc, 900 was raised thus showing the
adily increasing interest in the work
Al the afternoon session Commissioner
Gates explained the rules under whicl
the automobile fund was distributed las
wear. In 1903 this fund amounted t,
s5.2ls and $500 was unexpended. Thi
balance, with $4,000 II is estimated th'
automobile fund will amount to this year
will be expended In keeping permanen
roads in repair. and In special work a
the discretion OF the state highway com
missioner Mr. Gates> intimated that H.
should DO more strict this year In hi
requirement that the provisions OF tn
law be complied with and dill not mine
words when he told the assembled com
missioners just what they must do +
get their fair share of the fGnd.
II AUTOMOBILE MEN TALK.
]. M. Boutwell, Of Montpelier and
w. Goodon OF Barre, representing tn
| Automobile club OF Vermont addresse
the convention from their standpoint an
urged a closer understanding and feelin
OF good will between drivers OF horses an
automobiles, Mr.. Gordon explained wh
he opposed the passage of the automc
bile tax law before the last legislator
" because he did not believe II was euuita
BILE. but he acknowledge that the law
working well, and he did not oppose 4
except for that one feature.
= Editor Walter H. Crockett and A.
: sabley spoke for tho tourists, and tn
= valuable asset Of good roads for an
e state Both favored bonding the Stat
for building trunk lines of highway !
vermont Their suggestions wer
= loudly applauded
The last hour OF the convention W"
given over to an informal conference
which any road commissioner pre'e'
= was invited to express his views OF 81
phase Of road building or ROAD "o'~'