The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1915-11-18

/ ject savoring very strongly Of intens
partisanship; while the Standar
commends the good work of the rail
roads, and criticises those acts whicl
it deems to be inimical TO the publ
; interests.
For instance, in our article whicl
the Herald criticises, we stated tha
the railroads of Vermont were givinj
a transportation service that was al
that could be desired. We commend
ed the Rutland road especially regard
ing its train service, instancing the
splendid al steel trains now being op
Grated by that road. The same coulc
be said regarding the Central Yer
mont, whose New England Limited is
one of the best trains that goes into
the North Station in Boston, anc
whose dining car and other train ser.
vice satisfactorily meet all require
ments of the travelling public. The
Canadian Pacific and Boston and
Maine trains could be similarly COM
mended.
But this in no way affects or miti-
gates the force of the Standards crit
icism regarding the unsightly and an
tiquated depots which are still in evil
dence along the line of these roads.
The conditions complained of are of
long standing and seem to reflect a
settled policy on the part of the rail-
roads of the State.
Consider briefly some of the stations
already referred to. Manchester, in
Bennington county, is notable sum-
mer resort, one of the most beautiful
in New England, and having large
patronage of summer tourists. Com
pare the Manchester station with the
two depots erected at Danville juno.
ton, Maine, by the Grand Trunk and
Maine Central roads to accommodate
the Poland Springs hotel patrons.
Here are two roads having enough
civic pride to build two splendid mod
ern stations at terminal where there
is no patronage except that incident to
the Poland Springs travel.
Does the Herald contend for one
moment that the Rutland read owned
by the New York Central and the New
Haven, cannot afford to build mod
ern depot at Manchester?
Consider Middlebury. Through the
efforts of DR.. Thomas, president Of
Middebury College, hundreds of
thousands of dollars are being spent
to build up this institution, all to the
benefit of Middlebury and the contigu-
GUS territory, as we'll as the State at
large. Other public spirited citizens
in this beautiful Vermont town have
contributed literally to improve its
civic conditions. Does the Herald
contend that the station at this point
is credit to the town, to its college
and other interests, or to the Rutland
railroad
Take Barre. Here is one of the
most thriving and prosperous cities in
New England, exceptionally favored
with public buildings, a new postoffice,
a splendid library, fine hospital and
a new and un-to-date hotel, while
everything about the city testifes to
the civic pride of its citizens. Does
the Herald contend that the Boston
and Maine and Central Vermont roads
afford to build a modern union
station in Barre commensurate with
The Importance of the city?
Consider White River Junction.
Here is terminal owned by the Bos-
on and Maine and the Central Yer
mont, the first Vermont point coming
rom the south on the Boston and
route. Strangers and tour
SITS en- route on this line would be in
lined to judge the State of Vermont
~ the railroad facilities in evidence at
his terminal point. Does the Herald
after the expose before the
lew Hampshire legislature of the
vanton and corrupt use of money by
he Boston and Maine, and with a
of the extravagant salaries
'aid during the Hays management of
he Central Vermont, that these two
Dads cannot afford TO build a modern
nd respectable terminal at this
oint?
Does the Herald contend that the :,
'entral Vermont cannot afford to re-
lace with a decent structure, the
otoriously disgraceful station at i,
,ssex Junction, another terminal :
oint?
The contention Of the Standard is
hat the railroads of Vermont are
nancially able, had they the inclina r
ion, TO build one and all Of the sta /
ons named and others, within reas- n
nable time. G