Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-01-16

i"e committee on ama1gamatjon
with the Merchants association was
continued In service, consisting OF
Prof Messenger. w. F. Burt M. D.
Mcmahon. r. p. Houston and C. r
burlington
The president and secretary were
authorized to prepare resolution, on
the death of the late c. s. Tsham.
The secretary was empowered IN
ask General Manager Jonas OF tho
Central Vermont railway to send ran
resentatives to meet the transporta
ton committee of the club, and others
regarding improvements at the rail-
road station. pending the erection of
a new station.
The need OF such improvements was
brought up by Mr. Barnes, who cri-
ticized the condition of the freight
roadway. and the Inconvenience and
loss resulting to shippers therefrom.
There In that old station" said
Mr. Cowles. rs the most dangerous
grade crossing in Vermont. The
other day officer Miles was brushed
by the step OF a moving car. just as
he was taking an old lady from the
path Of the train, which she failed
to hear in the noise and confusion.
There might have been two deaths.
Through President Southwick. Senator
Henry OF Underhil asked the cooperation
of the club to improve the road through
Nebraska notch, and a resolution favor
ing this was passed. 1t was also voted
that Mr.. Wlnsow be asked to speak here
upon good roads, and cooperation toward
obtaining q government expert in agri-
culture for this section was voted.
Treasurer Weeds report showed total
receipts OF siS2 IS for the year past with
q balance on hand Of $500.
SECRETARY HOWARD's REPORT.
While the past year does not show any
very large municipal Improvements COM
pleted, there were some improved condi-
tons remedied and some questions agi-
tated that will bring results for civic bet
terment in the near future The Burling-
ton Commercial club contributed in sew
eral ways to the welfare Of the city dur
ing 1912 The records show that there
were II regular and special meetings OF
the club and boa I'd OF directors and two
social meetings, one for the entertain
inent of the trade extension committee of
the Boston Chamber Of Commerce and
the other for the entertainment of the
executive committee of the new Chamber
OF Commerce OF the United States At
this latter meeting ii was voted that this
club ought to be a member of the Ma
;ional Chamber OF Commerce and it yet
remains for it's formal action and pay
ment OF $40 dues to complete the member
ship.
The paid membership Of this club for
1911 was $50, but in 1912 only POI paid dues.
There was no general canvass for mem
bership as In the year previous owing to
til. decision to aid in the Winters Sports
club which was soliciting funds .or the
winter season
In January. at the request OF f. u.
Black, United States engineer the
Rotary sent out many circular letters
throughout the State for opinion on the
advantages OF the New York State barge
canal to Vermont through Burlington as
Its port Of entry, and the replies were
almost uniformally favorable to the barge
canal as means to help Vermont and
naturally Of particular benefit t Burling
ton. These reports were consolidated
and sent to the United States engineer
Office at Albany. y. Y.
The club also urged the railroad COM
mountain train to give better traffic ia
c!lities between Burlington and the White
mountains; but owing to the railroads
failing to agree as to trains and schei
ues the passenger service to the Waite
mountains with It's four or more changes
OF cars in 40 miles remains as archaic as
ever. protest by the club vas also
made to the Rutland Railroad company
.,I,.g
ues to and from Grand Isle The COM
pany then generously remedied as best 1t
could some Of its trains so that Grand
Isle patrons could reach Burlington ana
return silly home the same day.
Another important subject was called
TO the secretary's attention during the
summer. This was the provokingly de-
layed shipments of freight from Burling-
ton to points in Vermont. After repeated
correspondence and invoking the public |
service commission. a conference was
held with the officials Of the Central Yer |
mont railroad which has remedied the |
trouble to a large degree as far as that |
road is concerned. But the Boston 4
Maine railroad is still allowing freight |
shipments from Burlington to be delay I'd |
90 that burlington Is greatly hampered |
In competing Win outside Shippers 10 !
points I'm our own State. The public serv-
ice commission has promised to do all in |
It's power with the Boston & Maine to |
improve this unfair condition.
At the request OF one OF Burlington's !
important Industries a special committee |
was appointed by the Commercial club
and after investigating the affairs OF the |
mandatory the committee reported IA
vorably upon its condition and urged a |
more generous financial support OF the |
COMPANY on the part OF our citizens. The |
result has been that the company has in |
creased It's stock and machinery and IS |
doing a larger business.
1t was also voted by the club. on the |
recommendation OF the publicity commit |
tee, 20 lead n subscription to raise funds |
and advertise Burlington In several OF !
the metropolitan newspapers. This was
done to reach the tourist travel which |
has come in increasing numbers to Bur |
lington during the summer.
The Commercial club also met some |
of the expenses incurred by the commit
tee of fifteen in its conferences on the |
project of the union station. The good |
offices OF the Commercial club were Of
fered last summer looking towards the
settlement of the labor strike among the
lumber men.
Delegates were appointed to represent
this organization at the organization
meeting Of the Chamber of Commerce of !
the United States held at Washington, d. |
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