The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1911-01-06

brief aud decidedly to the point. Mr..
Mellen informed Mr.. Ftxhugh that when
the Boston 4 Maine entered Brattleboro
from the south 1t would be on its own
iron.
Eliminating Brattleboro with its per-
sonal and, naturally, selfish interests IN
the outcome Of the proposed railroad de-
necticut river valley, southern Vermont
and eastern Vermont are vitality interest
ed in what the future may bring, The
water powers Of Vermont are already pro-
ducing material in competition with the
rest of the country and il must be got TO
market. The manufacturer finds himself
handicapped by the fact that he is at the
mercy OF only one route TO the seaboard
and one route TO market. He is Obliged
TO meet competition in market, but he is
denied the right to enjoy the competition
in freight rates that his fellow manuiact-
urer enjoys in other parts of New Eng
land The development of the stone IN.
dustry in Bethel, Barre, Woodbury., and
other places in 10 years has jumped into
the millions OF dollars; and with an outlet
to market by more than one transporta'
ton route the manufacturer OF granite
can still further increase the production OF
his Quarries.
The story of the railroad situation as
one hears il in Brattleboro from the larg-
est freight shippers and from those inter
ested in the development, not only of this
town but OF the state, is absolutely I'M
biased as to any sentiment expressed TO-
ward either the Central Vermont or the
Boston & Maine. The slogan is "Brattle.
boros time has come TO do things and
with the proposed railroad extension
promised by the Boston x Maine the
dream OF a population of 1900 in 1915
will be realized" eve want the best
there is TO be had and if the Central Yer
mont can do better by Brattleboro than
the Boston 4 Maine let US have what the
Central Vermont offers" is practically
the verbatim statement of every merchant
and professional man in this town.
Bratteboro receivers OF freight have
grievances against the Central Vernon
in regard to rates on incoming shipments.
Certain commodities shipped TO this town
from Pennsylvania points are accompan'
led by two freight bills-one from Penn.
sylvana to South Vernon, a distance OF
several hundred miles, and the other for
the 10 miles between Brattleboro and
South Vernon The cost OF transporta-
ton for this particular shipment is great
err over the 10 miles of Central Vermont
than over the several hundred miles OF
other lines
It is probably the unfulfilled promises
of the Central Vermont under past admin
istrations that finds that road today IN
need of the moral support OF long
stretch of country through which II runs.
That the road could not meet its promises
is well understood by those familiar with
its financial condition For years 1t wor-
red along, getting deeper into debt, until It's
heaviest creditor was obliged TO foreclose
its mortgage. With the taking over OF the
management of the Central Vermont |
came many changes, and while 1t was nat
ural that many of the Canadian employees
of the Grand Trunk system should he
transferred to berths on the Central Yer
mcnt road this policy was not relished by
the Vermont Yankee; and today when
the Central Vermont comes to the legs
lature of Vermont and tries TO prevent
the granting of charter TO its competi-
for. the Boston < Maine, these same
Yankee legislators frown upon the at
tempt. Nevertheless Nice-President Fltz.
hugh is sanguine that the charter VIII not
be granted, and says that If 1t Is granted
he will fight the matter TO the bitter end
in the courts. ;,
1t is this evident intention of the Grand
Trunk officials to go even into the last
ditch that complicates the situation ana
makes possible an indefinite delay for the
nroposed extension of the Boston X
Maine line through Brattleboro. There
are those who suggest that there may be
compromise, but those having authority
10 sneak saw that such a thing has never
been entertained by President Mellen and !
that if he finds that only compromise
will bring his road into Brattleboro from
the south he will order the building OF
line from Hnsdale, n. H., to Brattleboro
ON the New Hampshire side OF the Con
necticut river along the line of the sur
yev made by Engineer Tompson last sum
mer. Those with inside knowledge OF the
situation say that President Mellen VIII
insist on building any union station that
the Boston & Maine may use with the
Central Vermont. 1t is known that the
BOSTON & Maine is paying SI,5OO year
10 tbe Central Vermont for the use. of its
passenger station here. 1t is also known
that President Mellen does not propose
IN nav the S15O,000 or more that his
road does each year for the use OF the
Central Vermont lines between this town
and South Vernon, and from Windsor TO |
White River junction above what the
Central Vermont pays the Boston 81
Maine for the use Of the Boston X Name
line from Windsor to Brattleboro Inc
Boston & Maine is paying bonus above
the rental, and as business proposition,
believes that it should own its own line
if It is possible to do so.-Brattleboro dis
patch in Springfield Union.