The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1911-04-28
(Rutland Herald.)

The ACCESSIBILITY OF a special session o.
the Vermont Legislature to settle the fight
between the Boston 4 Maine and The
Grand Trunk railroads. if it be conceded
that legislative action would be necessary
to reach that end, is regarded by those
conyersant with the situation as depend
ing upon the possibility of bringing the
senate and the house into agreement upon
some measure that would effect this re.
suit As shown by the voters of the two
branches of the legislature, during the
recent biennial session, the sentiment of
the house was largely in favor of any
measure that would afford the Boston 4
Maine an independent, self-controlled line
| through Brattleboro. In the senate. how.
ever, the majority against the Boston &
Maine was such that it would require a
change of mind on the part of five senators
| from among those who were in the major
| ity to secure, with those who were in the
minority favorable vote on any PROPOSE
tlon now be advanced in the interest Of
that road.
So far as the senate is concerned il is
asserted, and some Of the senator's them.
selves have voiced the assertion. that a
controlling influence in that body was I'm.
willingness to deprive the Central Yer
mont railroad of its vested rights in terri.
tory at Brattleboro which, as alleged on
behalf Of the Boston < Maine it was nee.
essary to have transferred to the Vermont
Valley railroad, the corporation in whose
name the proposed legislature was asked
for. 1t is known fact that some of the
senators who voted in the majority re-
garded it as desirable that the proposed
link in the Boston & Maine or New Haven
system, between South Vernon and Brat
tieboro, should be built on the Vermont
side of the Connecticut river. What they
stood out for was what they regarded as
iustifiable conditions. These appeared to
them TO be lacking in any of the PROPOSE.
tons that We're offered in the Boston &
Maine interest. How far the situation as
It exists today, with the probability that
the link will be built very soon on the New
Hampshire side of the river unless some
concession is made, might affect the minds
of these senator's, and how many of them
it might influence, is the pivot upon which
turns the ACCESSIBILITY of special session.
However desirable it might be, unless |
there is proposition possible that would |
hold the IL senator's who voted for the |
measure that was defeated, and which |
would draw to their side at least five Of !,
those who were included in the majority |
against that measure, special session
would be fruitless
AS the situation exists, in relation to
where the contest between
the two railroad systems centers, it in
wolves the question whether or not there
shall be independent operation of the two
lines at this point, supposing the new line
Is built on that side of the river. The
Boston x Maine line can be built through
Brattleboro only by taking some land now
owned by the Central Vermont. The Cen
trail Vermont insists that all traffic pass
ing over territory which it now owns shall
be subject to the orders of that road To
this condition the Boston & Maine will
not submit.
Here, then, arises the contention with
which the legislature would have to deal
n special session. 1t is understood that
he tracks of the Vermont Valley railroad,
included in the Boston Il Maine system.
Will be built through Brattleboro, if the
necessary conditions can be secured, over
errltorIy lying between the Central Yer
mont tracks and the river. This would
'e accomplished by fills on low-lying and ]
PARTLY submerged land; but it still would !
'e necessary. to take a small strip of land !
'wned by the Central Vermont, and oc- |
upled by short spur track and some s
buildings. 1t is proposed to give to the !
CENTRAL Vermont, so it is understood. in !
compensation for this strip, tract adjoin- !
ng It's own property, west of its tracks !
nd 10 replace thereon, without expense to {
he Central Vermont, the spur track and 4
he buildings which must necessarily be l.
moved. Where the authority of the iegis-
ature would come in would be in confer
ng upon the Vermont Valley railroad the
light of eminent domain so far as this nee
ssary strip of land is concerned. This
ranted, the Boston & Maine would be in
position to build on the Vermont side
{ the Connecticut river the connecting I
nix which it wants, and to operate it
throughout its entire length.
The necessity of invoking this authority
ill not exist, however, if what it is de- c.
rable1to accomplish is possible through s.
greement between the interested parties II
hat such a possibility exists is apparent b
the view Of Gov. Mead, who, it is safe v
, presume, will exhaust it before deciding al
BON calling a special session, which he
Ill not do in any event without reason g
Die assurance that there will be prompt +
I'd satisfactory outcome. This presump- d,
on is based upon the fact that at the fir
resent time the governor is giving his h;
tention to the matter of bringing about d.
conference between all the parties inter
ted, rather than to consideration of the d,
.pediency. of special session. so