Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-02-22
RETREAT INQUIRY
FORMALLY ORDERED
Governor Signs Bill Providing
Investigation of Brattle.
bOro Institution.
COMMITTEE IS NAMED.
First Hearing wednesday-BiII to Gre.
ate Office OF State Engineer Ad.
vnnced to Third Reading.
COMMITTEE IS NAMED.

Montpelier. Feb. 19.-Governor Graham,
to-day signed the Joint resolution passed
by both branches of the General Assembly,
providing for an investigation of the
brattieporo retreat at Brattleboro by a
special joint committee composed of three
representatives and three senators. The
investigation is the result of sensational
charges appears to be Mrs. Hattie Gull
Representative Frank A. Wilson Of Pow
nal' who alleged that patients at the re.
treat were shockingly maltreated. The
chief sustaining witness of Mr.. Wil<)n's
charges appear to be Mrs. Hattie Gull
ford of North Adams. Mass. daughter of
Or. Il. e. Potter of North Pownal, a
FORMER State senator. Mrs. Guilford was
d patlent at the retreat for two years
ana claims to have been assaulted, to have
peen dlshgured as the result Of acids
thrown upon her body by attendants, and
10 nave been confined alone in an under
ground. rat-infested dungeon. After she
le1t the institution. it is alleged the re-
treat authorities paid her $1,000 to with
draw suit against them. 1t is said that
a number of other witnesses, former pa
tents and attendants at the retreat, will
testify before the committee
COMMITTEE NAMED.
Speaker Wilson appointed as members
of the committee from the House, Repre-
sentatives w. w. Reirdon of Barton,
Charles l.. Stuart of Lyndon and Lynn
b. Brooks of Montpelier The two sena-
tors appointed by the president Of the
Senate. Lieut.-Gov. Roger w. Huburd.
are W. II. Fairchild of Franklin county
both republicans
Mr. Rpirdop Of Porto, ;, N loy,,o, - =, :,
chairman of the committee on minor
courts Mr.. Stuart of Lyndon. also a
republican. is a coal dealer. Mr.. Brooks
OF Montpelier is democrat His bust
ness is that of a grocer. Senator Fair
child is lawyer and Senator Leavens
merchant.
In an interview this evening, Senator
Fairchild said that it was probable that
the committee would probably go to Brat
tleboro on Wednesday to investigate the
retreat and take testimony. They ex-
pected to return to Montpelier on Thurs
day or Friday when the principal hear
ings will be held in the court house.
SHORT SESSION OF SENATE.
The Senate held a very short session
this evening. with Senator Foote of Ad-
olson county presiding. and the bill estab-
fishing State detention farms for the
commitment Of county Jail prisoners was
passed. The public health committee in
troduced bill changing the meeting place
of the State board of medical registra-
ton from Montpelier to Burlington.
WAITE BILL HELD UP
The bill introduced by Mr.. Waite Of
Shoreham with the purpose of saving
the State money by having the post
ing of habitual drunkards done by the
State commissioner of taxes instead Of
by the board of license commissioners
In each town, was not passed by the
House this afternoon. Mr.. Cudworth
of Londonderry objected to a clause
in the bill empowering the State tax
commissioner of his own motion by
written notice to each licensee in the
several towns to forbid such licensee
to sell or furnish intoxicating liquors
to any person. Under the present law
the board OF license commissioners
have that power. Because Of the alb
sence of Mr.. Wait, the bill was ordered
to lie.
ENGINEER BILL. ADVANCES.
The administration bill creating the
office of State engineer. defining his
duties and fixing his salary at $4,000
annually was ordered to third read
ing in the House to-day. Mr.. Barrett
of Cabot thought $4,000 was sufficient
recompense for the position. but after
discussion of his motion to that eff
feet. it was negatived by the adoption
of the original amount. Mr.. Bond of
Searsburg and Mr.. Perkins of Water
bury favored the bill as matter of
State economy
The bill providing for a fine OF not
more than twenty or not less than two
6n11 ar fnr hi in, oil n
central office or public telephone pay
station or approaches thereto was
passed by the House this afternoon.
Ihe measure relating TO evidenc OF
money loaned. written or endorsed at
an indeterminAte or conditional rate
of interest which was recommitted to
the committee on taxation was called
from the table and placed on the cal
endar for tomorrow.
The following bills were introduced
in the House to-day:
EXTENDS TRANSFORMING POWER,
II. 336-By Mr.. Rowland of Barre city.
an act in amendment Of and in addition
to section s of No. 16S Of the Acts OF 1910,
relating to investments of banks: ex-
tending powers of banks to invest in Ger
tain securities; makes provision for loan
ing in excess of $4,000 to one and one
half per cent. of the deposits in excess or
one million dollars with approval of all
trustees Of the bank physically able to do
so in writing and the approval OF the bank,
commissioner; with such approval bank
may loan not to exceed 20 per cent OF the
value Of Vermont real estate: may loan
to so per cent. on approved collateral OF
corporations Incorporated under the laws
Of the State; provides for bonds being
placed in United Kingdom of Great Brit
ain and Ireland and of the republic OF
France, Dominion of Canada and province
OF Canada II they are secured by col
lateral deposited in this country and ap-
proved by the bank commissioner; may
also loan under certain conditions to pub
lie utilities companies
WOULD LICENSE HORSE DEALERS.
II. 337.-By Mr.. Adams of Westford,
to provide for the licensing of horse
dealers; one giving principal time to
selling horses shall be termed deal
er; persons selling horses without Ii
cense under this act shall be i'm
prisoned not moro than sixty days or
fined not more than $50 or both, pay
able To tax commissioner shall be 500.
BILLS SIGNED BY GOVERNOR.
Governor Graham signed the following
bills to-day:
j. X. IL. 2l-Joint resolution relating to
the death of DR.. Henry Dwight Holton.
H. Dan act to pay Eleazar b. Baldwin
the sum therein named
H. 6i-An act to amend section 59+s of
the Public Statutes relating to keeping
of gambling implements.
H. o9-An act to amend sectionsx and
ana Subdivision of 234 of Tire Acts OF
iW4' entitled IAN act to incorporate the
VILLAGE nf Eonon.l