The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1913-06-25
Has No Authority to Secure
Court Interpretation of
Tax Exemption Law
ALDERMEN ASK HIM
ABOUT ENFORCEMENT
Street Car Service in Barre
Complained Of to Board ,
Last Night

Governor Fletcher finds himself unable
to comply with the request of the city
council TO secure from the supreme court
an Interpretation of the law relating to
the exemption of per cent. loans un-
der Act. No. 35 of the laws of 1912 and
1918. In reply addressed to City Clerk
James Mackay and read at the regular
meeting Of the board of aldermen last
evening the governor states his opinion
that the request, made at the instance
OF the city council and the signers of
several petitions circulated locally. does
not come within the spirit. meaning and
limitation of that section of the law
bearing upon the power of the governor
in such a connection. The request was
| forwarded to the governor several weeks
ago, after several largely signed petit
tions asking for such a contamination
had been brought to the attention OF
the council.
On motion made by Alderman Ban
croft, the governors reply was accepted
and the clerk was instructed to acknowl-
edge its receipt by letter and to inquire
OF the executive as to what steps had
been taken toward enforcing the tax law
throughout the state. The motion was
carried by unanimous vote of every
member present, Alderman Hoban hav-
ing been detained by other affairs.
!, The full text of Governor Fletcher's
reply is given as follows: "Mr. James
Mackay, city clerk and trea surer. Mr..
dear Sir: Your favor of June the lIth.
enclosing a certified copy of a resolution
OF your board of aldermen requesting me
to secure from the supreme court an
in TOR ataf af ba 10. -
emption of per cent loans under act
No. 35 Of the laws of 1912 and 1913.
and requesting that | give the matter
my earnest consideration. and express
ing hope that ! may find way to
grant the request, il received.
I'm reply. | would say that ! have
considered the same and I find myself
unable to comply with your request, as
in my opinion, il does not come within
the spirit. meaning and limitation of the
only section Of the law which | am able
to find which bears upon the power OF
the governor in this connection which is
section l341 of the public statutes. I
am clearly of the opinion that this Sec
ton must be construed to refer only to
questions pertaining TO the official acts
Of the governor. that is, when the gov
ttHtt IL uflOu W ptfiUi III an Oiti-
rial act provided by the statutes and
iesires to be informed of what course
he may legally pursue. he is authorized
by this section of the statutes to call
lpon the court for legal opinion.
ut is proper for me to say in this
that Attorney General Brown
agrees with me as to the construction
hat should be placed unon this section.
;va -, H. -
ce to YOU and your people in this mat
er. am, my dear Sif, with high esteem,
Very truly yours, Allen NJ. Fletcher, Gov
rnor.''
Street Car Service Complained Of.
A petition carrying 253 names, one Of
he longest list of signatures ever re-
eived. was brought before the board by
he clerk. The signers consisted large
Y of men who are employed at the north
nd of the city anc they asked that the
ouncil take steps to improve the service
n the traction line running between
iarre and Montpelier. II was stated
hat the service now afforded compelled
eople TO board cars already overtaxed.
hat such conditions placed the lives and
mbs of road patrons in jeopardy and
ere responsible for general inconveni
nee. II was further declared that the
legged poor service was at its worst
y week days around the noon hour. at
o'clock and at 4 o'clock in the after
1on. II suggested that the council bring
e condition of affairs 10 the notice
the public service commission.
Alderman Dawson was moved 10 de-
ribe the conditions as beastly. Work
gmen are workingmen." he said. "but
lev are men. nevertheless" The clerk
id that protest had hen formally
gstered with the commission some
,ars ago: date had been set for a
airing. but somehow kindly interests
ID been able to quash the complaint
2 thought the car company should
aintain a car station at the Barre end
the linz, since the traffic proceed
Q from Barre TO Montpelier was prob
lv twice as large as the traffic from
ontpelier to Barre. On a motion made
Alderman Bancroft. the petition was
eepted and the protest was referred to
ayor Ward to arrange for a hearing
fore the council and the officials Of
2 road.
Amended Building Permit Ordered.
President Brown. reporting for the
nmitfee OF the Nnoie. toid OF recent
.estigation of the structure or Depot
lare which the Granite Savings Bank
Trust Co. started TO build a few weeks
,. Afterwards. Alderman Bancroft
we'd that the original report 81 the
nmittee on the banks application for
building permit he amended 80 that
applicant be allowed 10 build. pro-
ing the walls are constructed Of brick
eer. that the building b. not occupied
ii completed and that the applicant.
igns or SUCCESSORS be not allowed 70
e an addition to the structure OF "a
u on land Immediately adjoining.
motion was carried unanimously
Permission to woman's Club.
through Alderman Bancroft. Mrs. W.
shepard Of the civic federation. asked
{ the organization he allowed to util-
vacant room in the basement 81
CITY hsil near the police station for