Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-01-26
Adopts the Majority Report in
Grand Trunk-New Haven
Fight, 1877 to 81.
VOTE REACHED IN EVENING
Ut Favors B. & M.-Argllments
Heard by Crowded Gallery
Employers Liability De
bate Unfinished

Montpelier Jan. H-Nher the mouse
hdlodrned shortly before six tonight the
employers liability bin and the railroad
bill We're both in the balance. Discussion
Of these two measures occupied the en-
tire day. This evening ever seat on the
floor and in the gallery was taken. 300 or
moro Of the spectators being ladies'. and
consideration of the railroad bill was
resumed.
Mr.. Bean of Newport ridicuod the
argument made this afternoon by Mr..
Amey Of Brighton that giving the Boston
& Maine what II asks for would stifle
competition, also that the Grand Trunk
road was the pioneer IN demanding diff
ferentia1 rates. Mr.. Bean said Vermont
wants Wall Street money to come into
the state and help us develop our in
Gustrtes. lie argued that seven OF the
right members Of the House railroad
COMMITTEES that went to Brattleboro to
look over the situation had reported in
favor Of the contention Of the Boston
Il Maine ana he believed the report Of
That committee should be sustained Mr.
Bean charged that the Central Vermont
ovcrcharges one mile from Brattlehoro
To South Vernon. This with 9cc oro peo-
pie year passing over the line makes
Bill annual rake off OF 10000.
Mir Gilett of Richmond said the New
York, New Haven q Hartford railroad
had come to this Legislature to ask for
something they could get in no other way,
trying to get authority to take the prop
erty of another railroad under conditions
that are rotten. Give them this entering
wedge and no man say say what they
will ask the Legislature Of two rears
hence to give them He said It is no time
TO pay off any Grudges against the Grand
Trunk. Let us do the right thing, and
right hurts no one.
Mr.. Fletcher of Cavendish supported the
majority committee report and in doing
30 believed he was voicing the sentiment
Of the people Of Windsor county
OUGHT TO PAY FOR PROPERTY.
MIR. Clark of Morristown said if the
Boston & Maine wants the Grand Trunk
property at Brattleboro they should pay
for it honoraby and not come to this
LEGISLATURE asking for the right to take it.
Mr.. Dartt OF Springfield thought the
advice of the committee to which this bill
was referred should BE- followed. They
have thoroughly Investigated this ques-
ton and know more about It than the
House can possibly know he passage
of this bill will not jeopardize Vermont
Let us pass this bill as a matter of simple
Justice.
Mr.. Wright of Westminster opposed the
report of the minority committee In the
interests Of his constituents. Mr. Martin
Of Brookline said the Legislature can not
Ignore the petition containing the sigma
lures OF 400 business men that has been
presented, praying for the passage of the
bill with the amendments proposed by a
majority OF the committed
Mr.. Hays of Goshen believed adopt
Ing the majority report would encour-
age competition, as did Mr.. Gatchell
Of Charleston.
Mr.. Caldcrwood of St. Johnsbury said
II we do not grant the Boston & Maine
what they ask they will 20 over into
New Hampshire and build their line
and the State will lose twelve or If
teen thousand dollars annually in
taxes.
PECK FOR CENTRAL VERMONT.
Mr. Peck Of Burlington forcibly ar
Eued for the substitution of the minor
ity for the majority report of the com
mittee I'm the interests of the public
d Maine intends 10 put the Grand
Trunk railroad on the same plane with
them at Brattleboro. the bill does not
say So The trouble ~ the Boston 6.
Maine wants to cripple the Central
Vermont that has been a child of Yer
mont for 50 years. The question is
whether Vermont through Its SOW
ereign power viii allow one road to
absorb Il road that has served the peo-
pie Of Vermont for more than half a
century. he was willing TO give the
Boston &. Maine what il asks for, blu,
not by throttling and taking the life
blood of the Central Vermont The
minority report saws to the Boston &
Maine, you may have everything you
want in Brattleboro only you shall not
take the Central Vermont property.
Mr. Amey Of Brighton said he hac
been the local attorney for the Crane
Trunk at Island Pond for several years
He was not ashamed Of it, but that do
not Influence his vote or his action. MI
Amey presented statistics showing that
tie Grand Trunk railroad handles three
times more freigh, in Frattlebcro thar
does the Roston g. Maine Nobody want'
t. freeze the Boston 81 Maine out Oi
Vermont, but when they tell tho Cen
tral Vermont to stand and deliver such
action should not be sanctioned by &
Vermont Legislature.
lSy yea and nay vote of g. to III
tine House rejected the proposition tC
substitute the minority for the majority
report So members being absent or no
voting. Other minor amendments wer,
agreed to and the bill was ordered L
third reading
on EMPLOYERS LIABILITY.
When the House recovered this aft
eruoon, the employers liability act wa
taken mp a. unfinished business. Thu
House reconsidered its vote closing thu
debate on the main question and adopt
Cueu of Vcrgonnes that the provisions o
the bin should not apply to domestics
farm lahorers and log drivers. An amend
Eiert adding contrbutory negligenc,
clause proposed by Mr.. Webster o
EWantou was killed and at this poin
consideration af the employers liabilit,
bill was laid to one side to take "a
thorizing the Vermont Valley railroa,
to construct and operate a railroad be
tween Brattleboro and South Verunn an,
to take land therefor, which has beei
known during the session as the on
important railroad Bill. involving as /