The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1913-01-04
INTERCHANGEABLE MILEAGE
Letter From Man Who Thinks Bill
Constitutional

Editor Of The Banner:-May we
beg the use OF your columns for
cause OF the people?
There is now before our legislature
a bill directing the main line OF rail-
roads of the state, issuing a mileage
book at two cents per mile, to issue
an interchangeable book ticket, i. e. a
book good for traffic on any line OF
railroads coming under The straight
two cent mileage book system as now
in use This will be an advantage to
the travelling public who are con
stantly on the move going somewhere
and lncdently will incite the present
occasional traveller to travel more
! frequently
Just what the present status OF the
measure now is is problematical as
some members of both branches
seem to be in doubt how to act till
they hear from Nome. Ii he VINO
reads this note will interest himself
to the extent OF sending a personal
| letter. or petition to his Representa-
| tive. and to his Senators, asking them
to assist in the passage of this meas
ure much good will be done Vermont
in aiding its own people to travel
more frequently and, also in advertis-
! ing the state of Vermont as one OF
progress in continuing to be a sover-
eign power.
Corporations should continue to be
subject to the constitutional authorl-
ty that permitted them to obtain the
breath OF life. If such continues then
will be answered the question who
is Sovereign? The People or the
Railroads." We grant railroad
prays to such sovereign power for its
rights, privileges and bill of health
and upon obtaining them seems to
self assume a quasi sovereignty by
inferring the State has become Vice
Regal In other words the corpora
lions 90 to Montpelier one session OF
the legislature asking for charter
rights only TO later reveal to some
successive legislative body that the
bill of rights then secured is too
sacred to be broadened by direction
of the authority that granted it.
rhe railroads have on being pre-
scented with an Interchangeable mil
cage book measure declared that the
state could not do it because the
Act would be unconstitutional.
This time the keen and highly
salarled attorneys only limited that
such a measure had been held uncon-
stiuuonal." but aid not say that this
one was.) This year. at the hearing,
they plead poverty yet really con
tradicted themselves by furthermore
saying to their grand-sire: If you
compel us to do that we will not be
as liberal as the now most liberal
mileage system Is this a phase OF
flial grattude2 When the state eX-
tends charter privileges it does not
abrogate its authority one iota.
If the facts of the case, on the
passage of this measure, are that the
railroads grant the request, but with
vengeance restrictions then the next
General Assembly viii be prepared to
deal with the incorrigible child.
The railroads would have us be-
lieve that we are opposed to them.
Just the opposite is our position; we
believe they are opposed to us.
At the hearing one railroad ac-
knowledged that its respective lines
NNAAnAAith sum III AAAANA NAtAAAt7 NtAhAN
ticket book. as IL also acknowledged
an interchangeable use on its road of
other lines book. If they did not
deem it profitable, wise and expedi-
ent, good and just, would they be
found using that system that we now
simply ask them to extend?
It was stated by speakers in favor
of the measure that we only ask for
that which is reasonable and would
be willing to accept a 1000 mile inter
changeable book at the rate of two
cents per without any more restric-
tons than now in vogue. In fact q
more restricted, than the present
used book. would tend to lessen
travel which in itself would be detri-
mental to the railroads themselves
a self punishment inflicted.
Wien that compromise is I'm the
enlargement of the size of the book
We manifest 10 believe. by its ac-
ceptance. that We believe the rail
roads are with the people. While.
on the other hand. the railroads IN
granting such an enlarged sized
book with no greater restrictions,
manifests that they believe the peo-
pie are with them.
This measure directs that the Pub
lie Service Commission shall make
all necessary rules and regulations
for such interchange OF mileage ecu
pons"
This measure ought to pass:
U) That We might ascertain If i
the railroads are with US.
90 To also prove that the p. 5.
G. is the mediator between the people /
and the railroads
CD To prove to the critics that the
p. 5. c. is not under the domineering
influence OF the corporations. but
stands TO represent the State be
tween the corporations and the peo-
ple-is in fact the peoples guardian. /
Respect ely yours.
Travelling Man
Dec. 81. 1912.
Notice