Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-02-11

der that the enemies OF this most value
able asset Of ours, may be th.!arted in
their efforts to cripple it's usefulness,
thereby depriving the people of the great
benefits above mentioned. A most sur
prising feature OF the situation is, that
some of our citizens who should be
among its warmest friends. by reason
of the great benefits they are receiving,
through a lack Of civic pride and civic
patriotism continue to %patrOni2o a pri-
vat" plant.
PUBLIC WHARF.
In my annual message ON April 9Th.
1904. | called the board of aldcrmens
dock, and e~ndeavored to impress them
with the Importance Of giving the mat
ter their carly attention.
My commentator was carried out.
and without going into the history of
the long drawn out battle for the same.
I will simply say that it gives me tho
greatest pleasure to announce that the
city Of Burlington now owns n portion
of the lake front, Including the lower
part of college street. with q total front
age of about ono hundred and sixty feot.
The matter was finally closed last year
by the city paving tho Central Vermont
railroad the sum Of S.015
In order tina this frontage may ne
come useful to the people. I you'd recon-
mond that at least ono hundred feet Of
it's frontage be extended into the lax"
n sufficient distance by having con
structed q cement bulkhead represent
in4 It's front and sides. TIT should be
dom a. once. rs f. could he utilized for
dumping purposes. ami ~ a Very short
time would hN filed In. Sivine the CITY
"a Very substantial structure 1T a low
cost ror same.
UNION STATION.
ru. project Of % union station. iha
the public dock project. is another mat
ter which has engaged the attention #
the public for a number of years, and
being heartily in favor of the same,
am pleased to announce that the pro-
iect Is now under way. and during the
present year, the public will have a new
station. modern in every feature, and
something to he proud of. 1t will Ger
tainlY be "A strong influence in the vlcin-
itv where located by a general cleaning
up Of the unsishtly conditions which
have prevailed for many wears. and NJ
the same time furnish a inuch needed
public utility.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
A. hay" always considered this de-
partmcnt a conservation Of thu peace. |
deemed II my duty to give it special con
sidoration, and ! feel bold to say. that
AT the present time It is giving better
/ servic" 10 the people Of our city than
any time in its history. and | hespeak
for it. on tho part Of the people. thai
support and confidence it deserves.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
! cannot speak too highly of this de-
rartmcrt. with reference to tn" splendid
service IT Is giving the people Of Burling-
ton. Its equipment is in splendid condi-
ton. such as It is. AT the present time,
: tu, I believe II a matter Of economy. and
In the interest Of better service, IN" mo-
'ori7inr Of all Of its trucks should he
brought about as soon as possible rms
is strictly with up-to-dato methods. and
considered a purely business proposition
or the personnel of the dopa rtmcnt, | an
lad to say. that for gentlomanlY deport.
ment. and the courage shown in respond
Ing to the call Of duty, under all condi-
ton. II cannot be excelled.
STREET DEPARTMENT.
owing to the increa sing use of automo-
hiles and their disastrous effects upon
our roads. present a very difficult prob
lem for the proper upkeep of our high
ways. and in order to meet this new con.
dition, a more costly and permanent
method must be adopted. This means
that in the future more assistance must
be given to those N have char-" Of
orr public roads.
COMMISSION GOVERNMENT.
With reference to this most important
question, ! want to again impress, il
possible, the Importance OF this new ant
up-to-date method Of managing the husi'
ness Of our city.
When We consider n corporation like
the city of burlington, doing a business
of about 500, 0o0.O0, which It did last
year. and having the greater portion o.
the money raised by taxation, expended
and handled by twelve different board:
Of directors. called commissioners unde'
our charter, n in every instance called
upon to serve without recompencc TO
their services. IT seems to me that I
is about time for the people Of RurlinS
ton to wake up to the fact, thai We are
living in Il progressive age, that cen
tralizcd power and responsibility is thu
watchword Of the day. under Genuin,
commission government management
After "A careful study Of the question
and a long term Of experience under tn,
old method, | am obliged 10 servo tn,
above note Of warning.
In closing. let me saw, that after
long term Of years ~ public service, a
alderman, police commissioner an,
mayor, representing a service of fourtee,
wears in all, I wish to most hearth,
thank the people of Burlington for tn
most unusual honors 7 have received a
their hands, and feel proud Of the fact
that from "a spirit Of civic and patriot
pride, ! have been in a position to assis
and encourage the building of ever,
pubic Improvement made during thi
period, and that they were Improvement
which placed our city, IN beauty and at
t~ractiveness, second 30 no other city i
Now England
Rcspnctfully submitted.
JAMES + BURKE, Mayor
FIVE CENTS PROVES 1T