The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-10-19
TRACTION co.
GAINS POINT
Barre City Council Accepts
the Proposed New
Franchise A.
AND PUTS FIN.
DECISION Q, : oTERs
The Vote at 5 asst Nights
Meeti, = Resulted
4 to 3
4 to 3

4 to 3 to leave the question of new
| franchise for the Barre & Montpelier
} Traction & Power Co. to the electorate,
the curtain went down last night on a
long series of negotiations between the
city fathers and the road officials Now
the scene will shift to the opera house,
where the voters, in a special city meet
ing called by the mayor, will be asked
to decide for themselves whether the in
terurban railway shall be operated under
the present franchise or under an agree
ment that has grown out of numerous
conferences in the council chamber. In
deciding to ratify the new franchise, the
council men were not unanimous, as the
vote shows, and, therefore, will not be
able to present solid front in carrying
the proposed new agreement before the
people
Clearcut arguments were advanced by
both sides last night and scarcely an
hour elapsed before the council was ready
for showdown. 1t was at the request
of Alderman Rossi that the roll was
called by the clerk and on the count it
developed that Aldermen Milne, Healy,
Loranger and Alexander were in favor
of adopting the new franchise in the
form of resolution, while the negative
side was taken by Mayor Glysson and
Aldermen Reynolds and Rossi, who ex-
planned their stand by saying that they
could not conscientiously recommend the
prnnnGnd ~ ut
Twelve days must elapse before city
meeting can be legally held, as due warm
ing must be given. The mayor has the
privilege of vetoing last nights action at
the next regular meeting of the council,
but it is thought that he will waive this
right and that the warning will be posted
at once. The traction people are anxious
to get final decision by Nov. /, as it is
on that date that their bonds are due,
and it is on the basis of new franchise
that they hope to obtain an extension of
the bond issue
The discussion which preceded the vote
was lively, but every member, evidently,
sought to condense his reasons for oppos-
ing or advocating the franchise and much
of the extraneous talk which has so often
barred the way to a full understanding
was eonspicuously absent. The motion
to adopt was made by Alderman Healy
and seconded by Alderman Milne. Where
upon Alderman Reynolds asked if it was
the sentiment of the members that in
the resolution the council should
20 before the people and recommend its
final ratification. Alderman Healy said
ne would not vote for the resolution un-
ess he expected to stand by it at the
,itv meeting and his sentiments were
echoed by other advocates of a new fran
.hise
Alderman Alexander said he was one
# those who would like to get more. al
hough it looked as though the limit of
oneessions from the company had been
cached. Hence he was satisfied to vote
or the franchise in its present form. He
ighed for the good old days of the two
nd one-half cent fare for workingmen
nd the l0-cent fare to Montpelier, but
aid he was convinced that they couldn't
e had. To which the mayor replied that
he council would never be in better
osition to dictate TO the road, inasmuch
5 adoption of the new agreement would
axe it practically out of the city's hands
nd that at any time the road officials
ere not satisfied with their end of it
ley could go before the public service
)mmission.
With the P. S. c. under discussion, Al
srman Rossi, in taking exception TO the
aim of Atty. +. f. Gleason of the road
lat only certain sections of the proposed
anchise could be appealed to the COM
ission said he had eminent legal au-
ority for the statement that all of the
ctions are subject TO review by the
mmission, Mr. Gleason's opinion to the
ntrarv notwithstanding. This phase
the question was discussed at length
ID before the vote came everybody
emed reconciled to the opinion quoted
Alderman Rossi as against the state
ent credited to the attorney for the
ilway.
Other intimations of quibbling on the
rt of the road were contained in re-
lrks made by Alderman Reynolds, who
ID that the officials. in one breath said
: road was closely affiliated with the
wer company and in the next breath
It the two were legally separated. He
y peculiar side to the negotiations
en- he remembered that two months
, the council was Indifferent TO any ad
ices from the company and that inter-
in a new franchise quickened only
en- it was decided to 60 ahead with
South Main street paving. He in
ated that the council might be willing
sacrifice good franchise merely to
n $4,000 as the roads share Of financ-,
the work Alderman Milne said IL
Sed like Niger in the woodpilc.
alderman Alexander said he supported
resolution with the understanding
{ the road shall discharge all Of its
standing obligations before the mayor
Is H. Alderman Lorsnger said the
had secured some concessions. had
aimed all that was 20 be had and that
vas ready 10 vote for the referendum.
gor Glysson and Alderman Rossi
lght that the council could grant
.dule reductions in the winter and =
man car privilege on Washington
Il under the present franchise. Zach
-essed himself as being dissatisfied
! certain phases Of the new franchise
of representations made by the COM
y. Alderman Hesly expressed cont
: IN the fairness ~ the T. s. e. and
.rraan Milne said the money and bond