The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1911-06-02
GOVERNOR PLEASED
AT THE PROSPECT
Says Two Railroads Are Going
to Get Together
SETTLEMENT RUMoRs THIS WEEK
One Story to the Effect That Jointly
Used Double Track Will Be the solu-
tion-Chief Engineer Tompson Has
Yet TO Hear of Any Agreement.

Announcement of the settlement of
the local railroad cOntrovers ycann0t be
made officially this week Various
rumors of settlement have been current
since last Friday, but none of them has
the official confirmation of either party
to the dispute. One story. which is be-
lieyed to have emanated from an author
itatiye Central Vermont source, IS TO
the effect that the problem will be
solved by the Boston & Maine building
second track from here to Windsor,
the Central Vermont double tracking
its stretches between here and South
Vernon. Windsor and White River
Junction, and the two roads using the
/ iron Jointly with full rights of compe-
tition. OF course. there may be abso'
lutely no truth to this report. although
from railroad standpoint 1t would
seem TO be an economical way out OF
the trouble. even if not an ideal ar
rangement for BrattleborO. If such
plan were adopted it would mean no
doubt a station on the west side of the
tracks with an over.pass.
In an interview Wednesday evening
Governor John 4. Mead expressed sat
Iisfaction over the progress of the nego,
tiations going on between President
Charles 5. Mellen of the Boston &
Maine railroad and Nice.President =.
/ 4. L
regard to the solution of the problems
confronting both roads in the Conneetl-
cut river valley. Though Governor
Mead is not in possession of detailed
| information concerning the plans OF
| both roads for bringing the Boston q
| Maine into Brattleboro he said that he
was positive that Brattleboro was as,
sured of two competing lines. lie saih
| il was doubtful whether Brattleboro
would get the original plan as proposed
! by the Boston & Maine when the eXten-
sion was first mapped out and which in
cluded raising the grade of both roads.
The governor said that while the ne.
potiations had apparently been retarded
! during the past month he was keeping
| in close touch with the situation and
knew that both roads are working out
the problem as promised him at the CON
| ference in Boston at which he was pres
lent. Though the governor is sangulne
that an announcement will be forthcom-
| inp soon from both railroads he holds
ito his position taken several weeks ago
with regard to calling a special session
of the legislature if necessary lie does
| not intend to force the hand of either
road at this point in the negotiations,
Int he does not hesitate to say that ne
| knows the feeling of the senate ana or
MANY prominent members OF the house
! of representatives ana tldt SHDull Inc
negotiations now in progress result IN
accomplishing nothing he would be will
ing to have the matter submitted to the
! legislature. He laid stress upon the
4 fact that he had no interest in the solu.
tion of the problem other than that OF
n citizen and chief executive of the
state of Vermont At the same time he
expressed himself unGualifiedlv in favor
of railroad competition and during MS
! conversation reiterated his position,
which is that of one with authority TO
bring the matter before higher trl-
lbunal than railroad managers If 1t be-
comes absolutely necessary.
Engineer George NJ. Tompson. IN
charge of the Boston & Maine s local
Office of engineers, has been in town for
a dav this week. Though there have
been no developments with regard to
the proposed extension from South Yer,
non to Brattlehoro Mr.. Tompson SAID
last evening that his engineers had
practically completed the survey for the
4 line between South Vernon and Brat
i tleboro. and everything is in readiness
for the taking of options for a right OF
wav as soon as word is received from
| President Mellen. President Melien
has been advised by the Central Yer
mont officials that the plans of the Bos-
ton & Maine engineers are under CON
sideration. but no intimation. has been
:, given as to when the Central Vermont
management will ask for a further con
4 ference or announce its deelslon,