Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1917-01-31

fought hard to pass through the
United States senate measure for
federal aid which has since become
known as the Page Vocational Educa-
tional bill"
The subsequent history of the bill
as related by Mr.. Powers shows that
the substance of the Page bill was in
troduced by Senator Smith, and that
Representative Hughes of Georgia,
chairman of the educational commit
tee of the house, also introduced
similar bill, so that the joint meas
ure is known as the Smith Hughes
bill.
1t is, nevertheless, the Page bill, in
from Vermont should be given credit
ccordingly.-Rutland Herald.
Vermont's Asbestos Mines.
The Reformer has contended for
years that we have only begun to
scratch the surface Of the immensely
valuable mineral deposits in Vermont.
The state now leads the world in the
production of granite and marble, but
there are inexhaustible supplies of
both of these stones which have never
been developed.
IF the high price of copper contin-
ues it is entirely probable that the
copper mines of the state, which years
ago turned out annually metal to the
value of hundreds of thousands Of
dollars will be reopened and worked
at a profit. The tale deposits of the
state also possess incalculable value.
These are now being worked to some
extent, but their development is sure
to increase rapidly within the next
few years.
The writer, on a trip through Cana
da a few years ago, was surprised at
the great extent of mining operations
at Colrain, about rs miles south of
the city of Quebec, and few ques-
lions brought the information that
from this point came a large part Of
the asbestos used in this country, and
that the Colrain mines had yielded a
product aggregating many million
dollars in value. 1t has been known
for years that there were rich depos-
it's of asbestos extending for miles
through the mountains of Lowell in
Orleans county and the adjoining
town of Eden in Lamoille county. It
is said that attempts to work these
mines several years ago resulted in
failure through the action of the as
bestos trust, so-called. Transporta-
ton from Lowell is something of a
problem. The power question, how
ever, is said to have been settled by
the proposed development of a hydro
electric plant at Stevens Mills, ONLY q
few miles from Lowell
Now comes the announcement that
a company backed by New York CAPT
tai is preparing to establish a $1,0O0,-
900 plant at Lowell which will employ
several hundred hands throughout the
year. It is said that not wheel will
be turned until 100000 has been eX-
pended in establishing the plant.
Canada has placed an embargo on
the expectation of asbestos and men
interested in the marketing of this
mineral fibre are said to have found
in Lowell and Eden the best oppor-
tunity of supplying the American
market in this country.
It is stated upon the authority Of
the meteorological survey of the Unit
ed States that the Lowell vein is
continuation of the Canadian vein
which has been worked at profit many
years.
The announcement of the proposed
development is good news to the nor
thern Vermont communities where the
operations are carried on, and if the
result is what the promoters antici-
pate it will eventually add millions to
the value Of the mining industry of
the state and a large increase in pop
ulation and general business to at
least two counties-Brattleb Re-
former