The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1913-07-31
C.D.WATSON TALKS
BACK TO GOV.
FLETCHER
Wasn't Aware Commission
Was Criticised
HAD BEEN Governors GUEST
Entertainment at ProctorviIlc But
After Refusal to Act There
Was Change

st. Adams, July 3O.-Replying TO-
day to the statements made by Gov.
Fletcher, regarding his action in re-
moving Charles ID. Watson of this
city from the public service commits
sion, of which he was chairman and
concerning the resignation OF George
II. Rabbit OF Bellows Fails from the
commission, Mr.. Watson said, Il read
the statement of Gov. Fletcher this
morning with more than ordinary in
terest for it was the first information
had received in any way regarding
the cause OF my removal other than
the statement made to The members
of the commission that they were no
longer fit to serve because of che
stand they had taken in the telephone
matter. That stand amounted to a
refusal to pass judgment in a case
before the evidence was heard as |
stated Monday
Il must confess that | am surpris-
ed to learn that the governor had any
other reasons. AS to the Bennington
matter, referred to by his EXcellency,
| may properly say that the governor
told the commission that he had been
requested to go to Bennington to in
vcstigate. He was informed that the
commission had passed judgment and
would stand by that judgment GOV.
Fletcher at first criticised the com
mission but when the situation was
explained he said no more and did
not intimate in any way that our ac-
t..-f flg
all the more surprising his present
statement that our action would have
justified q reorganization OF the com
mission at that time.
Ills Excellency makes reference to
procrastination in putting into effect
railroad demurrage law This is
tho first intlmation of complainC by
the governor in this regard.
If there was any procrastinaiion
here it was due as much 90 the com
plainants' refusal to conform to the
procedure in such matters, as laid
down by the law, as to any delay OF
tho commission.
"As to whether the commission
was asked to PREJUDICE the telephone
case ask the people to read the lei
ter from the governor which accom-
panied the report of Messrs. Cook
and Graham and which virtually in
formed us that we were 10 issue an
ore er in conformity with the specific
rec concentrations of the special coun-
sci The public may judge whciner
the special counsel obtained sufficient
evidence or obtained it in a way prop
err on which to base an order as was
desired. |. with the other members
of the commission, was Wiling 10 is
sue such an order as would give the
telephone companies an opportunity
to be heard and present their case.
THAT | had no intimation or suspi-
cion that relations between the gov
crnor and myself were not friendly
may say that besides lack of sug-
gestion from him | had been received
socially at his home, had eaten at his
table and slept under his roof up to
the time of the telephone report
when, in my opinion the most cordial
relations existed between Mr.. Fetch
er and myself.
~ change was noticeable, however.
after the commission had determined
that it must withdraw i,s promise TO
sign the order the governor wanted.
When we told His Exccllency of our
position the effect was at once evil
dent.
AS I have stated before be then
informed us that We were no longer
10 10 sit in judgment on the matter.
This was at his house in proctors-
Vile. There was a grea, contrast be
tween his treatment OF me on the oc
casion Of ms former visit TO his house
and then.
Il viii say i'm conclusion that Gov.
Fletcher knew me by personal con.
tact when We were in the House of
Representatives together in 1905 and
also during the recent session when
he was Chief Executive and was again
on the floor OF the House. He ap
! pointed me without my solicitation OF
without representation on The part OF
| my friends. as far as ] know. nc
must have known the man he was an
pointing and there has been no change
| i'm the man since.
i am willing to let this matter res
with the people I have simply stoo,
for the right as ] see 60. I have no.h
ing 10 conceal from the people. IN,
records are there. I simpy rcfnser
10 sd in Judgment in case when IN,
defendant had not been given the Cd
posunity to be heard
1