The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1914-10-21
UNFAITHFUL "TOWN
CLOCK" is SCORED
Barre City Fathers Discuss What They
Will Do with the Erring Agent and
Whether Will Give 1t New Coat.

tower of the Uniyersalist church is one
of the things which the sldermanic prop
erty committee has in contemplation as
a result of the regular meeting of the
city council last night Acting on
verbal report by Chairman Bancroft, the
council authorized the committee to get
prices on the work necessary. Proposals
to set the clock in semi-perpetual mo-
tion once more, after sporadic lapses of
duty. came to head through the recent
decision of the church fathers to reno
vate the exterior of the edifce. Alder
man Bancroft set about to get things
ready for new face paint on four dals
of the clock.
John Dodge, according to the alder
mans report, offered to do the painting,
renew the little gilded blocks that mark
off the minutes, and to re-gild the hands
and numerals, all for $40. But Mr..
Dodge. it appears from the report, was
moved to call in his offer after survey
ing the steeple and scrutinizing the while
the notoriously high cost of painting or
the prohibitive cost of high painting.
Alderman Cook thought that gold leaf
on the dial of clock that was forever
la wing off its hands, so to speak, would
be approximating the height of extrav-
agance. Alderman Bancroft voiced the
opinion that the clock would "go" all
right if it were regularly wound. BY
way of showing that all public clocks
are sometimes derelict to their duty. |
Alderman Bruce cited the occasional fail |
ure of the clock in the Rowland block |
to record faithfully the flight of golden |
moments: but he was promptly informed I
that Mr.. Howland's clock and the clock |
which the city owns are separate and |
distinct timepieces.
Chairman Bancroft explained that the
city is paying Goddard seminary stu
dent $40 a year to keep the clockwork
in motion Alderman Cook suggested
that the $40 be diverted to other chan
nels by letting some Of the firemen wind
the clock when necessary. The matter
was finally allowed to rest in the hands
Of the property committee, the council
instructing the members to inquire into
the reason why the timepieee has caused
so many people to miss their appoint
ments in recent years.
For a few moments after the clock
discussion the Barre & Montpelier Trac-
tion & Power company, through its trac-
tion superintendent, William CORY, oc-
,uped the center Of the stage AT the
request of the councillors. NJ. CORY ap-
Deared to answer questions concerning
The proposal to regulate the halting
places of ears near the city square. Mr..
'orry explained the company's wishes in !,
he matter OF effecting passenger con. /,
ieetions between the Washington and
south Main street lines, and the mayor
md Alderman Cook. az we'll as others. Z
ave their reasons for believing that the I
ompany should cooperate with the city ;
n relieving traffic congestion in the I
quare. After a rather futile attempt on a
he part of Mr.. Cory and the aldermen I
o explain Just what each thought would y
'e proper, il was decided ~ have a clos =
r investigation. Accordingly, the may. I
n, the street committee. the chief OF 2
iolice. who was called in counsel and Z
Cory arranged 10 meet 7
{ the junction Of the car lines this I
morning at O'Clock.
Reporting on the complaints regarding I
anitary conditions along the river bank
n the manufacturing district, the alder.
manic committee OF the whole described
i investigation and recommended that
he health committee be instructed TO T
&c that careless manufacturers. who
ave already been warned BY the com.
iittee 10 improve their surroundings be-
cid 10 their promise Of providing proper
nd sanitary accommodations for the
orkmen. In notable instances. the r.. "a
ort stated, manufacturers had consent. 4
Z 10 make muchneeded changes along -,
he river bank. The report was accepted
nd the recommendations ordered carried =
ut v
Tho report Of Chief Sinclair Of the 10 IN
ce department for September was read +,
. follows and accepted. Total number /,
arrests 82i ohenses, intoxicaiiou H.. ,t
reach Of the peace 9. operating autos =
ithout lights :, operating autos with. =,
u number plates ?, larceny adultery
malicious mischief 4 Superintendent
eynoids' September report Of conditions
the water department was read &c.
pted and ordered fled A petition for e
street light on Farwell street. largely
gned by residents Of that locality. was
ferred 70 the lighting committee On
% motion of Alderman keast Alder. ~
A. kecfe's reference 10 the condition ~
Farweil street was turned over 10 II
e street committee. the chairman "a.
aiming that repairs to the street wers
immediate prospect
letter from tho water druartmert e.
Springfield Mass. b the local water
perintendent explained that thr light "
3 companies there are compelled 10 -
y . tax for grounding their wives or
y uater pipes THE inquiry followed q.
request from the Consolidated Tsrtf -
& company that the grounding formula ~
allowed in nsrre Mnsaf Ward
ought the ~ity should take adrautare CA
any opportunity "a increass its ~.
ue. hut the matter was allowed ~ VI
Z uhlle the water committne is com
ting lts report On snrsrintenarrt r
Mtilar's REQUEST Whiah we brought
lore Tie h1arf 81 aiiarnnnr fasf uarl isu
TIE reeururreuiatinn of fha uatr- Ell
rrEttef Z uhe totef ~ rharrs faasf ri
rlante fss cert r.er e5hi. ias
9 tnF water uaaH oe
8u 'linr Inspector Rand reported - e..
'shir o. ths faIioE ne arriirssf.rs auf
baild ard permits uare rrnrtf7 ia