Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-10-29
ASK FOR ANOTHER DELAY
Railroad Officials Confer with
Committee on Union Station.
purpose Now to Begin work April
of Next Ycnr and Have structure
Completed by November 10
Following.

President T. c. Smith of the Gem
trail Vermont Railway company APP
peared before the union station com
oittee at the city clerks office Tues
Law and made request that the
city agree to a postponement of com
mencing work on the station until
April | of next year. The reason ad
vanced by President Smith was that
the Central Vermont was unable to
finance the project at the present time
owing to the stringency in the money
market occasioned by the European
war. The members of the committee
present were inclined to take Presi-
dent Smith at his word, but decided
not to give assent to any request UNI
Ill the railroads have formally agreed
In writing that they will begin work
on the new station on the date men
toned. The representatives of the
railroad present were agreeable to
This arrangement and promised to
have the proper papers ready by Sat
friday night.
Present at the meeting were Presi-
lent Smith, Attorney c. w. Writer'S
md Director Charles +. Smith of the
Central Vermont, w shelton Swallow
NE station contractor. Mayor Burke
H. s. Howard, Gardner Brewer, A. s.
Drew and John ]. Whalen of the citi-
.ens' committee.
President Smith stated to the com
nittee after the meeting had been
sailed to order that the Central Yer
mont company wished to have the
work of building the new station post
poned until April l, 1915, owing to the
fact that the road was unable to fin
snce the project now. lie said there
was no intention or desire on the part
of the company to evade in any way
doing the work, and that the company
desires to carry out the idea and es-
tablish the station in accordance with
the arrangements made. Indeed, If
there was a desire to evade RESPONSE
not be accomplished for the contract
with the w S. Swallow company had
been signed. At a meeting of the
railway company recently il was
brought to the attention of those
present that no money should be spent
except what is absolutely necessary.
and that it was practically impossible
to finance any new work at the pres
ent time. President Smith said he
had taken the matter up with the Rut-
land road and he read n Telegram
from General Manager Jarvis to the
effect that the Rutland would CON
cur in the postponement, providing the
city of Burlington and Mr. Swallow
we're agreeable. The reinforcement
would call for the completion by No
'emher Is OF next year. President
Smith also called attention to the fact
Mat it would not be contrary to the
court order for the station which
rallied for the completion of the struc-
ture by January I. 1918. or as soon
thereafter as practicable. AS far as
the Central Vermont was concerned it
was willing to maxi an agreement
with Mr.. Swallow that should prices Of
materials be raised during the period
OF the extension of the contract the
road would indemnify the contractor
and If the prices dropped he could
have the benefit.
c. =. Smith stated that within the
last three months there has been a
disposition among the banks of the
country not to furnish money for any
thing but actual necessities so as to
not stop business and to furnish no
money for new work. All construction
work has been stopped. This condi-
ton will no doubt be relieved by the
hrst of January, when the new bank
Ing system law is more thoroughly un-
nerstood and the people havo become
accustomed to the situation abroad
Mayor Burke was inclined to think
that the agreement with Mr. Swallow
should be reduced to writing for the
protection of the committee He said
that the people wanted to feel the
matter was closed up and that work
would actually be begun in the spring.
MY Swallow said that the contract
was signed In fun and if the Swal-
low company insisted which they
would not, that operations should be
begun Immediately, the railroads
would have to comply
Gardner Brewer, speaking for the
committee, stated that the people were