The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1910-05-07

nent fund growing larger as the re-
auirements increase we can, without
excessive taxation, raise the standard
of our schools.
| think il is important that the
work of the Commissioner OF Agricul
ture be continued. We are told that
the consumption of food products in
| this country is now nearly equal TO
the production. II this is so, 1t is
certainly an added incentive to the
! farmers Of Vermont to increase the
products of their farms by further i'm
provemeuts and charging their acre
age. The better they are equipped,
| the more knowledge and understand
| ing they have of the requirements OF
the soil and how TO produce the best
results will of course be a great aid to
them. Imparting such knowledge IL
part Of the work required OF the Com
missioner. Sooner or later much OF
the unproductive land An the state
| will be reclaimed. Many In the al
ready over-crowded cities will return
to the farm, and the aid which the
! Commissioner can give will be great
benefit and incentive TO them.
am also heartily in favor OF con-
tinuing the work OF the State For
ester as tending to the preservation
and extension OF our forests.
The mountain sections and many Of
the foothills are peculiarly adapted to
the growth OF timber and OF but lit
tie value for other uses. Every tree
grown thereon adds to the wealth Of
the state. Indiscriminate slaughter
Of our forests Is fast depicting them.
and so far as the Commissioner can
convince the owner that II is for his
interest to spare the smaller trees.
nd plant the waste places he is do
ing the state a lasting service.
Another reason why the forests
h 'uld be preserved. is. that they are
he sources OF supply. the reservoirs
so to speak, OF our streams; and the
preservation and development OF the
water.powers OF the state Is becoming
one OF the industrial questions OF to-
lay The development OF the use OF
electricity has reached that point
where the power of waterfall so re
mote from the centers OF industry and
lines OF transportation as TO be OF but
little value for use where located. can
at reasonable expense be carried &c
those centers and used for manufac
turing purposes. And TO such a point
has this development reached that the
various water-powers upon many oI
our mountain streams may be collect
ed upon a single line OF wire ant
sent as electric energy to those point,
where Il can be probably utilized
Already men OF enterprise are pur
chasing these waterpowers on som,
OF our larger streams for investment
or use. and soon those OF the smalle
ones will be sought.
, IL Is estimated by those who have
, made Il study that there is In Yer
mont today more than sufiicien
, available water-power TO turn ever.
machine In the state and light ever,
dwelling. Sooner or later this powe
! will be developed. and the vital ques
!, tion is shall Il be taken beyond tn
: limits OF the state and there used. o
shall Il be kept within our border
and utilized IN the building up O
manufacturing industries and lghtin
our homes, and so add TO the wealth
! the comfort and convenience OF on
Z inhabitants. II this Is done We sha
be. In some degree at least, indeper
= dant of the coal fields and oil we'll
= upon which we now depend and q
:, whose mercy we are.
" Should We not have such laws a
the Legislature has authority und,
y the Constitution to enact as will kee
y a portion at least of this power With
the state? For one. | think SO.
am In favor OF reduction OF SON
= OF our court fees and expenses. tina
!" without impairlng the efficacy OF n
y court, will lessen the costs 20 lltigan
h, and the state; and to this thel
!, should be some amendments TO q
!" present law that will hasten the tri
49, OF cases and do away with some
- the laws delay"
~ | believe there should be a mo
a searching scrutiny OF appropriation
~ by the legislature, not only In the
a., torest of economy, but with view
III getting more for the money we spen
III The present revenues OF the sta
~ are sufficient for all reasonable
ri mands. Taxes should not be
~ creased and Il will not be necessa
'e to hunt for new sources OF revenue
"a what We now have and the natural
IN crease from year TO year Is wisely a