The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1911-04-28
Burlington Free Press. }

yene the Vermont legislature in extra scs
sion TO consider the railroad situation u
that town has been followed by the wis
suggestion on the part Of Governor Meat
, that conference Of the heads OF the Cen
tral Vermont and the New Haven be helt
, with the idea Of avoiding that expense /,
the taxpayers OF Vermont and inasmucl
as we find upon inquiry that Mr. Htzhugl
Of the Central Vermont is willing 10 meet
Mr.. Mellen of the New Haven with Gov
ernor Mead, aud Mr., Mellen is said TO b,
willing 10 Join IN the conference, Their,
would seem 10 be no good reason why the
whole matter should not be adjusted. II
ought TO be possible TO arrange such con
ference by next Friday.
Governor Mead informs the Free Press
that in his estimation the roads will have
no excuse for not getting together and he
is determined TO avoid the expense OF an
extra session.
The position of the Free Press has been
from the outset that the genuine competi.
tlon OF these two roads in Vermont should
be assured. II is to be borne in mind OF
course that they are fighting each other AZ
different points, and Burlington and Brat
teboro are but part of the field OF hostili.
ties. There is no reason though why any
proposition by Mr.. Mellen regarding the
Bnttleboro situation should not be con.
sidored by Mr.. Fltzhugh or vice versa, and
an endeayor made to reach settlement
without session OF the legislature.
| As We understand the situation from
| different parties concerned the situation
| IN Brattleboro is not largely different from
that IN Burlington, except as TO nature of
guaranty OF service The Rutland road has
the use OF a right Of way through the prop
erty of the Central Vermont and the sta.
tion service in Burlington for which il
pays $1,000, as determined by the decision
of the courts and vote Of the Vermont
1 legislature.
The New Haven BY virtue OF its control
OF the Connecticut river road has a similar
right through the property of the Central
Vermont at Brattleboro and station ser.
vice, but by stipulation by the Massachu.
setts legislature the lease Of the New Lon.
don Northern by the Central Vermont
was required TO contain a provision that
such service and rights would be afforded
by the Central Vermont from South Yer.
non to the point in Brattleboro where
New Haven ownership again begins during
the life of the lease, which was to continue
80 years and which now has so years TO
run. The Central Vermont therefore can
not avoid this competitive service without
inyaldatlng its lease of the New London
Northern
In other words the Central Vermont
must continue TO allow the New Ravens |
acquired road, formerly the Connecticut, |
TO use it, track from South Vernon TO |
Brattleboro at a point toward the north |
where New Haven ownership again be. |
gins, and its station, while the New Haven |
can refuse at any time TO permit the Cen |
trail Vermont to use that portion Of the |
line owned by the former and used jointly |
for some years by both roads.
To this extent therefore Brattleboro is
assured competition, and we do not learn
upon inquiry that Brattleboro has com
planned 10 the Public Service commission
of lack of proper service though it is al
lodged there has been ground for such com
plant.
Brattleboro people claim, however, that
collisions IN some Instances have been
ayerted They assert moreover
that the New Haven has determined to
build on the east side of the Connecticut
and that the call for an extra session is
wholly of their own volition and not sug-
gested by the New Haven. The New Hay-
en- says ii will not come on the west side
Of the Connecticut, however, unless the
people OF Brattleboro secure right of
way, though the field in New Hampshire
viii not be a profitable one so far as we
IAN learn.
The latest proposition for right OF !
way along the Connecticut river for the
New Haven, as explained TO us by resi- !
tents of Brattleboro, is much the same as !
hough the Rutland railroad were to Sc
.ure a right of way along the very edge .
If the lake IN Burlington filling in at J
,oints with an overpass extending across ]
he Central Vermont tracks and ramp
oming down TO the earth on the other
ide The New Haven double tracks would '
ross the Central Vermont property and !
onyerge with the present line north OF {
he bridge. The location of the station q
nder this new arrangement would be
mooted point.
As we understand the situation mistakes n
ave been made on both sides The peo- .
lie of Brattleboro are not satisfied with h
heir own last proposition for an elevated v
riveway across the railroad property
fading to the bridge across the Connecti-
ut river as this would partly block the
lew Haven track where it is now pro-
osed to have the same cross the property .
the Central Vermont, and still further
hanges in this plan would have to be
lade
We find also that the selectmen of Brat 81
eboro and the town committee on rail ri
pads have conilicted as to what was best Il
, be done in different directions. At the O
resent time matters are being hurried nj
ecause OF tear that the New Haven will
lild upon the other side of the Connect
1t river, and in our estimation if the
gislature were asked to act and fight bl
lsued, no one would be sure that the 81
sst plan would be adopted under existing b.
,nditions. As a matter Of fact there is m
} good reason why either road should be
Ish this matter at Brattleboro to the
lint of irreparable mistakes.
We would therefore humbly suggest that
a conference between Mr.. Mellen ana as
I. Ftzhugh does not result in a satsfac- W
ry adjustment of the whole situation, an
at due time be taken to formulate plans
at will do away with some of the OBJ
ctlonable features which are involved 4
all of the plans so far proposed for Brat a. az
.boros yard elevation, overpasses and ~
her improvements. When this is done, vi
en- means of securing the adoption Of u. tlL'
plan that will accommodate both the Cen III
al Vermont and the New Haven can
adily be discovered
We would suggest that the two roads ~,
together in connection with improve az
ents in the Connecticut valley Just as "
shall suggest that the two interests =
together in Burlington in connection
tn our new station and other improve.
,nts, and we shall try to keep our read
posted as to which road is responsible
: any different program here or else boz