The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-10-18
Transportation VS.. Business Interests

1IdusPolldlioH vs.. Dushcss Ahteicses'
: Burlington is in a position to sym
pathize with Boston, which is having
controversy over a new subway sta
ton. In that connection the Record
gives utterance to this sound fundamen-
tai principle: "The transportation sys-
TEN cannot boss the business interests
of the city--very true. Neither can
the business interests boss the trans
portation system. No wise transporta-
ton manager and no wise business man
will advance either mistaken demand.
The transportation system must serve
the whole public; and the public's atti-
tude towards the transportation system
must be such as will encourage efficient
and effective service. In the case of re-
vision of the station situation as it con-
Germs the Arlington street and other
merchants near Park square, the point
to be kept in mind is that we are not
to accommodate exclusively the elevated
. or the group of merchants and property
: holders in the vicinity of Arlington
street, but are to come to an arrange
ment and solution which shall give the
maximum OF convenience and service to
the maximum number of persons inter
ested and that includes both those who
travel on the cars and those whose BUSH
ness welfare depends in considerable de-
gree upon those who so travel.
The greatest good of the greatest
number" is a sound maxim in transpor-
tation, which is simply one form of pub
lie service, as well as in government.
individuals frequently make the mistake
of assuming that their interests are
supreme and that all Others must give
way before their demands.
Masters of transportation must ever
keep this fundamental principle of
mind, and when they neglect TO do so,
the public inevitably suffers.
The fact that on of the chief promot- !
ers of the old Vermont Central railroad, |
now the Central Vermont, lived in
Mortified led him to demand that the |
road be built via that town, despite the |
tremendous grade 10 be encountered, in
stead of by way of Montpelier, Barre
and the Williamstown gulf. In this in
stance the railroad itself as well as the
public have continued to pay the penalty
from that time to this, including the
pelier Junction and the maintenance of /
shuttle trains, and will continue so 20
do until the necessity Of double track
ing the Central Vermont opens the way
for putting the second track where the
line should have been established at the
very outset.
In the same way private pique in con-
nection with the building OF the Rut.
land line TO Burlington led the old Yer
mont Central TO stop at Essex, with the
necessity Of building a side line 70 Bur
lington. Here too both the public and
the transportation company have been
paying the penalty Of the sin Of the
promoters Of that line IN violating the
maxim. "the greatest good Of the great.
est number
Here also the penalty win continue 20
be paid BY both public and railroad un.
81 the necessity Of double tracking the
line makes IL possible for the Central
Vermont 20 extend a second track from
a point north Of Colchester 20 Burling.
ton, and on 70 Essex Junction. follow.
ing the old Burlington and Lamoiile
right Of way south Of the city, or pos
sibly swinging back 10 the present line
east Of Winoo-ki.
In this connection it IL reassurinp 20
know that the Central Vermont line
retains q night Of way in connection
with the new union station - that the
track q that line now stopping north
~ the platform entranee % the station
csn ~ extended The the Rutland.
Whenever Il becomes Necessity 20 pro-
vids for lourrr trains for the Central
Vermont IN plaop 81 the shuttle train.
here again 4 wf1 D. necessary fer TIRE
rty 81 BurIiuRtan ana TIRE Rutlnnd raii.
ruad 81 wsn o. b. guided ~ consi5sra-
lions ~ the principle ~ 4the greatest
ruuf e. ths rfeatest numisf. H- Burling-
ten Pre- rfass