News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1917-03-07
VERMONT LEGISLATURE

A 100000 appropriation and com
! mission authorized to spend that sum
within two years from June. 1917, to de-
velop the water power of the state, are
| two of the provisions of the most startling
| bill of the session, which was introduced
| in the House Saturday by Mr.. Amidon OF
Halifax. The act calls for the appoint
ment by the Governor of water power
and conservation commission of three
persons, an experienced hydraulic and
electrical engineer, an experienced dam
| builder, and capable business man. me
members are to receive $6 day and ac-
tual expenses away from home, are to
have an office at the state house and in
addition to employing necessary assist
ance are to have secretary who is to re-
ceive 81, 200 annually.
The work of the commission will be to
investigate location of water powers yet
undeveloped on the principal streams
and ascertain it's amount, develop 1t by
dams. reservoirs, power plants and trans
mission lines. The commission may also
ACQUIRE by eminent domain if necessary
land and fowage rights necessary for the
construction of plants or reservoirs for
storage purposes.
The bill also provides that the com
mission may in the bienniel period com
mencing June 1, 1917, expend not more
than $4,000 600 and it appropriates that
amount. The state is to issue bonds for
not more than 81 100000, payable $780,
900 June l. 1911, and the same amount
June l, 1916, 1851 and 1856.
If history repeats itself there is good
prospect for a general overhaul ing OF the |
question of pay for members of the gen.
eral assembly. Friday afternoon there |
was introduced into the house by Mr.. Os
good of Rockingham bill relating to the
Governors salary and expenses, provid-
ing for an increase of $1,000 year, max
ing it 81 900 year. The chief executive
also receives an allowance of $1,000
year for expenses. On the previous oc-
casion of an inc rease being granted the
Governor, the Legislature also granted it.
self additional pay, and all during this
session some talk has been heard now
and then of a somewhat general opinion
that 81 day is not adequate compensa-
lion, and in this connection the factor of
he high cost of living FORCES to the front.
Three of the administration measures
ire now securely on the statute books,
Sow Graham having signed them. They
ire: II. 80, an act imposing on the state
of agriculture the duties OF
he state board nursery inspector, state
,rnithologist, state forester, livestock
and trustee of the state
agricultural schools; II. 227, creating the
'ffice of state engineer and 5. 81, creating
he office of director of state institutions.
At the conclusion of the hearing Friday
'efore the house state institutions COM
nittee, at which much favorable testi-
nony regarding the present management
# the state school for the feebe-minded
It Brandon was received, it was an
bounced that further hearings would be
postponed. The last two
earrings have developed considerable adj
itionaI testimony very favorable to the
choOl management and it will now be !
Onsidered by the committee in connec-
ion with the evidence which they Sc
ured on their visit to the school and at
he first public hearing some weeks ago.