Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1911-01-20
RAILROAD HEARING
Lively and Spicy Session Satur-
day Night in Grange Hall
Benefits for Brattleboro and to Protect
Mr.. Crosby.

Committee Instructed to Work to Secure
Benefits for 5rattleboro and to Protect
Mr.. Crosby.
Charles r.. Crosbys dramatic defense |
of the Central Vermont railroad, when |
was the sensation of the hearing before |
the railroad committees of the Vermont |
legislature in Montpelier Thursday night |
of last week, as noted in The Phoenix
Friday, threw scare into the Boston "
Maine camp.
Friday the Central Vermont's lobby
at Montpelier labored with the mem
bers of the legislature according to the
reports received in Brattleboro and short
ly after noon Saturday a circular was
scattered about town calling mass
meeting of the citizens to consider the
railroad situation. The circular dis
tributed contained the following para
graph:
1.-THE activity of the organized lobby of
the Central Vermont railway has put the
proposed railroad legislation in danger.
Prompt and vigorous action Is necessary
to answer the claims made in opposition
to the act. Every citizen of Brattleboro
should attend and sign petitions asking
for the charter of the Vermont Valley
railroad"
Grange hall was packed, every seat be-
ing taken and the rear of the hall filled
with men who were standing Denni-
son Cowles, president of the board of
trade, presided. In calling the meeting
to order he said Mr. Crosby's remarks
were being used in such way as to haz-
ard the proposition of a Boston Maine
charter. He spoke of the petition which
had been prepared and which was being
largely signed, and read the text of it as
follows:
I'VE the undersigned citizens and ship
pers of Brattleboro, wishing to correct
possible misunderstanding that may have
aric tha statements made DN
Mr. Charles r. Crosby that the ship
pers of Brattleboro desire the proposed
legislation asked for by the Vermont VAL
ley railroad to be granted, because the
present railroad facilities are entirely
Inadequate; and we hereby affirm the
statements of % citizens of Brattleboro
who appeared before the committee to ask
for this legislation"
Judge e. w. Gibson reviewed the rail-
road situation stating that the Boston
& Maine expected to spend $2iiOO0 in con-
nection with the betterments in Brat
teboro and 81 ,200, 900 in building its line
from South Vernon to Brattleboro Mr..
Gibson read from the Burlington Free
Press a report quoting Mr.. Crosbys re-
marks in Montpelier and the comment of
that paper on the effect of what Mr.
Crosby said Mr. Gibson said it was not
what Mr.. Crosby said much as the
use that was being made of his statement
He said Mr.. Crosby was protecting his
public spirited citizen.
Mr.. Crosby following Mr.. Gibson, spoke
very forclbly. He said Mr.. Gibson
had been very fair and that he
had no apology to make. Mr.
Crosby explained that he did not in
tend to speak at Montpelier but that
when Mr.. Stickney, the Boston e Maine
attorney, said there was not one man in
Brattleboro and not one in Vermont that
would speak a good word for the Grand
M. u tIot.A ~; a.
get warm. He spoke of the help the Cen
trail Vermont rendered in the Vernon dam
project; contrasted the action of the Cen
trail Vermont to that of the Boston &
Maine; referred to the superior freight
rates and facilities over the Grand Trunk;
said 1t was not right to take the Cen
trail Vermont land; and said he was not
present to champion the Central Vermont
but what was right
John Calvin spoke at some length on
different phases of the railroad propo-
sition, emphasizing the need of an in
dependent road coming into Brattleboro
from the south on its own iron and with
out connection with any other road
h. C. Bacon, Mr.. Crosbys attorney, said
the meeting seemed to be trial of Mr.
Crosby for high treason. He told how
Mr.. Crosby served on the citizens COM
mittee until there was a clash between his
private interests, everything that he has
and everything he represents, and the
that Mr.. Crosby was the largest shipper
in town, doing a business of $l,500,0OO q
year and handling between $500 and 30O
cars, handling 900 at the local store.
house. He also showed how Mr.. Cros
by's business as a shipper would be GU
off If he could not retain his privilege a!
Central Vermont house, the state
ments to this effect being practically the
same as those reported from the hearing
in Montpelier last week. He said the Bos
ton & Maine wished to take Mr. Crosby
spur track, making it impossible for hin
to do business on that track, and takinl
away his rates in 175 towns and cities
and that in addition plans We're draw
cutting away 16 to q feet of his store
house and elevator. in which he has $40
900 invested Mr. Bacon also reviewed tn,
questions of rates between the two rail
roads at length.
e. w. Gibson said the Boston e Main
was ready to put Mr.. Crosby in a pc
sition where he would not be injured II
the least
colloquy regarding rates was par
ticipated in by Mr.. Bacon, Mr. Crosby
Mr. Gibson, Mr.. Guthrie, Mr.. Cowles Mr.
Riley and Mr. Calvin.
Mr.. Moran. speaking as a member o
the citizens committee said that com
mittee wanted Mr.. Crosby protected, an,
that the committee had put as much tim
into trying to secure protection for Mr.
Crosby as in trying to secure charte
for the Boston & Maine road. He though
resolution ought to be introduced de
caring whether we feel that the char