The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1914-07-01
Tract 80. Replies to the
Letter on Matter
u n of Trolley Rate
ALSO SAYS INCREASE
rs IMPERATIVE NEED
The Barre City Council Had
Pointed Out Scent Rate
Feature in Franchise

Passive adherence to a provision Of the
franchise under which it is operating
cars in the streets OF Barre evidently ID
not the immediate purpose Of the Barre
< Montpelier Traction & Power Co.. if
the contents of the company's reply to
la recent communication from the city
Iclerk are to be interpreted literally. In
fact, a letter from the traction company,
Through its manager, H. D. LarTabee,
faces four,square the protest of the
Barre city council against any raise on
the tiye-cent fare charged inside the city
limits in connection with the proposed
increase to II cents between Barre and
Montpelier. According to the announces
ment recently made by the company,
the charge of IL cents is to be made be-
ginning July s. 1t is intimated in the
letter that the city cannot legally invoke
the franchise for the purpose Of impair
| ing the operation Of the new fare.
Manager Larrabee's reply to the pro-
test of the city clerk was read at the
regular meeting OF the city council last
might Officially, the opinion prevailed
/ that the next move il due from the CONF
! pany. as the communication was laid on
the table
While the council receiving as one of
its heritages sponsorship for the original
franchise. has vet to be officially notified
Of the proposed increase in fares, the
traction company has announced through
the newspapers It's intended raise and
pressure in favor Of protesting the jack
in transportation prices was brought to
bear on the city fathers two weeks ago
by the Central Labor union 1t was on
that occasion that the clerk was in
strtIcted to remind the company of its
franchise obligations.
Manager Larrabee's communication as
read last night, Is eouched in the follow.
ing Language:
"MontpeIier. VT, June 25,
"Mr. James Mackay, City Clerk,
Dear Sir;
II acknowledge herewith receipt Of
your communication of the 18th inst,
calling the attention of the Barre &
Montpelier Traction & Power Co. to the
provision in the franchise of said com
pany from the city Of Barre, relating to
the maintenance of fve.cent fare on
the company's lines, and stating that the
Barre city council believed such fares
should be maintained.
In reply have to saw that this pro-
vision received most careful considera-
tion by the directors of the company in
with their study of the con-
ditions under which the road has been
operating and the causes of the deficit
which has obtained. and it il their con-
clusion that the cost of carrying each
passenger makes the proposed increase
in the rate absolutely imperative.
"They are further of the opinion that
the provision in the franchise for the
of the fare at five cents
was instituted at a time and under con-
iitions as to both establishment and reg
ulation of railroads which did not then
and certainly do not now deprive the
of its fundamental right to
charge rates sufficient to enable it to
furnish satisfactory service and give it
-easonable return on its property.
"While the company fully realizes the
Importance to it. as we'll as to the pub
ic, of the maintenance of the lowest
possible rates on which the road can be
operated, the directors are
ully convinced not only of the necessity,
,ut under the circumstances and condi-
ions, the full propriety and legality of
he proposed increase.
"Gours respectfully,
"The Barre & Montpelier Traction
& Power Co., by H. D. Larrabee,
manager"
Other Matters Considered.
Moving pleas for street improvements
a several sections of the city occupied
lost of the councils time after the
eading of the above communication.
apparently Hooker hill and districts inn
lediatelv contiguous continue to suffer
rom growing pains. for no fewer than
our home owners in that locality ap-
cared and asked for better streets. A
elegation headed by Peter Wallstrom
nd T. o. Beckley made its perennial APP
earance in the interest of good roads on
ssex street II was pointed out that
le recent rains had made the street
ell nigh impassable for teams and that
,sidents there had no means of trans
lrting wood up the road to their homes.
uring the discussion il developed that
ssex street is not an accepted thor
ighfare. but the council instructed It's
rect committee TO follow temporary
pairs on the road with an earnest en-
.avoT to- have the street accepted legal
. f. r. Davis appeared for the pur-
,se of urging action on a petition to
i've Allen street improved by a gravel
iewalk. il was explained that plane
r the desired walk had been held mp
nding negotiations with abutters for
nd enough to widen the street. The
peal of Mr. Davis was referred to the
rect committee, with instructions ta
vestigate and report. A letter from
. A. Lebourveau asked that the slope
lding from East street to his premises
No. 202 be improved and the request
Is also referred to the street commit
P TO investigate.
An attorneys communication from y
ard Carver requested the council TO fS
2 city street line in the vicinity Of
ul Kingston's place on North Alain
FCoutinued on eighth narel