The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1910-04-07

that Vermont has the worst roads In
New England but he wanted to deny
that statement. We have both kinds
Of roads, but the good prevail,
New Hampshire is working might
and main to get tourists into the
State. Twelve millions of money is
spend in Maine each year by this
class. New England as whole gets
sixty millions, but Vermont gets a
very small share. We should take
steps to get our share of this stream
of wealth The speaker character
lied Vermont as the handsomest
State in the Union, one with scenery
that will advertise itself.
Mr. Boutwell, gave some figures re-
garding the development of the autn
that are interesting. In 1900 there
were 700 autos in the United States.
In 1909 there were 100000 and this
year there will be one for every Is
people, with a value of 100000, 900 Z.
MIR. Boutwell, said that with the pres
ent rate of increase he didn't see
why every man there shouldn't have
one in 1913, and by that time a $500
car would be as good as one costing
several thousands now The autos
of this year will generate eighty mil
lions of horse power, over million
people will ride in them and if plac-
ed end to end they would reach to a
distance of $50 miles. One hundred
and twenty millions of men are en-
ployed in their manufacture.
Walter H. Crockett spoke of the
growth of the tourist business in the
State and the need of encouragement
as one of the greatest before the
State today. The influence of good
roads on the growth of the State was
touched OH and the improvement in
the way of building and maintaining
roads. He favored bonding of the
State for building trunk line high
ways.
Andrew ]. Sibley spoke along the
same lines, regarding the building
of good roads as duty to posterity
AS regards the auto Mr.. Sibley said
it has come to stay and is a great
factor in the progress of the times
Detroit, for instance, has 10000 peo-
pie employed in auto facories. 9th
er cities have larger numbers.
Referring to the calling in of the
! lawyers as a last resort, Mr.. Gates
| called on John w. Gordon of Barre
Mr.. Gordon made an energetic speech
in the course of which he took occa
sion to differ from the State Commits
sioner on some matters. Frightened
| horses came in for a touch the driv.
ers being characterized as more otter
afraid than the horses and the great
Improvement along this line was
/ noted Referring to the matter Of
accidents, Mr.. Gordon stated that fol
four years teams killed 10 men ant
autos none. The ways in which t.
| overcome horse troubles were
| brought out with humorous vein
Several instances of bad bridge APP
proaches and narrow roads were
commented upon by the speaker.
After the various speakers had fin
ished, Mr.. Gates summed up some o
the points brought out and made al
appeal to the commissioners and sci
ectmen present to help carry out tn,
law, assuring them of all possibl,
nelp from his office and from tn,
| County Commissioner. The meetin,
adjourned shortly after O'Clock
several remaining to discuss mino
points with Mr.. Gates.
A large number of blue prints
trEcings and photographs were ar
ranged around the walls of the room
and showed various pieces of Stat
road in process of building and com
pleted.