The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1912-11-29
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Unless we raise more money W.
cannot as a state afford nearly al
the appropriation which will b.
asked before the Legislature ends
This does not mean that we can
not afford some appropriations; il
fact, we cannot afford to cut of
some appropriations. The Public
Service Commission is asking fol
an increased appropriation to &C
on with the work of abolishing
grade crossings. AS the law stands
it calls for a definite number Of
crossings to be abolished each
year, the cost divided among the
town, the state and the railroad
company. The money which the
state has appropriated before was
made to stretch over the required
number by taking the least expen-
sive, but the time will come when
the most expensive grade cross
ing will have to be attended to.
When this time comes, one of two
things will have to happen, the
number specified will have to be
reduced and the work spread over
a longer period or the appropria-
ton will have to be increased. We
have been at work long enough
SO that all sections of the state
can see the Improvement, the one
just north of Fairlee being an ex-
ample for this section. 1t seems
unnecessary to delay the compile
ton of the work because we
haven't money for everything.
This is one appropriation which
should not be cut off but should
be increased. 1t will do no harm,
however, if all appropriation bills
are examined with an eye to true
economy in state finances.
The Grand Trunk is liable to see
troublesome times ahead il the
United States government inves-
tigates it, for it seems to be sched-
uled for inquiry in the Canadian
parliament. The Calgary Standard
says editorially: "The government
policy in regard to the operation
of the Grand Trunk Pacific Rail-
way will probably come in for in
lluiry and criticism, though any
fault finding should emanate from
the supporters of the present adj
ministration rather than from the
opposition, seeing that all the
muddling, unnecessary delays, and
reckless extravagances in connec-
ton with this intercolonial road is |
the work of the late government, |
causing the Borden administration
trouble, and be-
to them a legacy of dis
ENHANCEMENT which they are exc
cutting as expeditiously as circum-
stances permit and exigencies de-
mand." Even Southern New Eng
land couldn't talk any worse about
the Grand Trunk than they do out
in Alberta. It's "muddling," all
right.
Clark F. Fits of Brattleboro has
been elected head of the Bar AS
ISOLATION of the State. He is one
of the brainy young men who is
putting his energy into the devel-
opment of Vermont. The Brattle-
boro Phoenix says of its fellow
townsman:
"The Vermont Bar Association,
in electing Clark e. Fits its pre-
sident, gave deserved recognition
to a young man who by sheer
force of ability and energy has
built up the most extensive prac-
tice of any member of the legal
profession of the State. Mr.. Fits
work is not confined wholly to
Vermont, as his services are in fire.
luent demand in big cases in Bos-
ton and New York. Mr.. Fits was
in securing the de-
of the Vernon-HinSdale
power plant and in many ways has
shown his zeal and usefulness in
the industrial upbuilding of his
town, county and state. He is an
ardent Vermonter and at home and
abroad constantly breaches Yer
mont and its opportunities"
The Legislature was given a lit !
lie information recently which may
nave an effect upon appropriation
bills. 1t seems that the expense Of
the state for the next two ,
years is estimated at three and
lalf millions. Our income for the !
asst two years was about a mil
ion and a quarter less. While we
.annot afford to be mean in our
expenses, we ought not !
o be extravagant, that much is
ihown by these figures. !
William ]. Bryan as Secretary OF .
4 State-New times, new man sure ;
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