The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-06-18
CAPITAL CITY NEWS ITEMS.
Proposed New Street Debated---Opera
House Called "Idle Dream"

As the result of petition receivec
some weeks ago by the city council ask
ing that highway be constructed from
Estate to Court streets between the Ems
lie and Leland property, hearing was
held by the council last evening for the
purpose OF hearing interested parties
several appearing and presenting their
lopinions. The matter was tabled for two
weeks at the conclusion of the hearing
Attorneys Fred u. Gleason and Fred L.
Laird represented the petitioners, l06 in
number, and George Emslie, and John II
Senter was the legal representative of
John f.. Leland, the only abutter to OPP
pose the petition. The witnesses were
sworn in by City Attorney Hunt and
several times Mayor Boutwell, was forced
to ponder for few moments when OBJ
iections were raised to question asked
! by an attorney.
| George Emslie, proprietor of the Mont
pelier greenhouse, which is located in the
rear of State street abutting on the land
| where the highway is wanted, took the
stand first and told of the large number
of patrons who visited his place during
the course OF year and spoke of the
conditions in spring and fall when the
road was muddy. His right Of way from
the street is but eight feet wide and
since the erection of a post about
month ago By the Lelands, large teams
or automobiles have been able to get into
the yard but unablesto get out, owing to
the post and fence. He said he would
not claim any land damages in the event
of a road being built. Attorney Senter
inquired of Mr.. Emslie why he could not
have his Office fronting on Court street,
thus saving the city the expense of
building road. MIR. Emslie said it
would cost him considerable and would
not be convenient for customers. Mr..
Senter dwelt several times on the possibil-
ity Of the Court street Office during the
hearing
George A. Hudson, employed at the
greenhouse, told in reply to questions
put by Attorney Gleason of wooden
building erected on the Leland land di-
rectly in front of the Emslie Office which
shut off the view from the Office to- the
street. II was used, he thought, to store
moving picture films.
Levi Bixby and l.. l.. Atherton on the
stand said they thought the road was a
public necessity, although Mr.. Senter OBJ
tanned statement from Mr.. Bixby that
it probably would not be II the green
house office was on Court street.
John Il. Leland said he had purchased
the property adjoining the Emslie prop
erty on the westerly side Is months ago,
the deed being held, however, by S. b. |
Leland He explained that he had plans
under way for the erection of $4,000
opera house on his property and that the
road would cut into his land.
He asserted strongly, in reply TO ques-
tions made by member of the council.
that the building plan was no Joke" but
he had already several persons interest
ed. He gave as his reason for erecting
the building in front OF the greenhouse
office that the fire insurance on his house
was lessened by keeping the films in
separate building. That specific place in
'front.' OF the Office is the farthest point
from his house and he placed the building
On the advice OF an insurance agent.
Attorney Laird, in making his argu
nent, termed the opera house project an
idle dream" and ridicliled the plan. At
.orney Gleason emphasized the need of
he highway for the convenience of the
public and said Court street Office
would seriously impair the convenience.
lie spoke OF the municipal asset which
he greenhouse assuredly is and said that
IN account OF the familiarity of the eoun-
il with conditions that only a few OF
he l06 petitioners had appeared. Mr.. L
'enter spoke but briefly and closed by |
aying that he did not believe in squan-
Iering money not for public but for a I
riyate purpose. Ii
No action was taken by the council
asst evening but il il is voted that a 9
oad be built a second hearing will be Il
allied 10 consider land damages. II
Judge T.. NJ. Harvey appeared before i
he council as a representative of IT, A.
bowman and made known the fact that
nrther improvements are probably 20 be
lade on that portion OF State street 4
car the Rialto bridge. Mr. Bowman
the building Of a brick
ront 10 his block adjoining the new Rial
. building but desires 10 know where o
he street line j.. The city engineer was h
lstructed 20 find II possible the street y
ne in front OF the Bowman building. f
city Engineer Reed discussed with the 4
,uncil for over an hour the bridge which \
20 he built across the North Branch b
yer on state street to replace the wood 4
D structure. inquiring IL traffic was % II
? stopped during the construction and o.
! 10 amounts OF bonds required Of bid IA
re. etc.