Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-03-07

The town OF COicn96ter TUESDAY tnreW
iown the proposition Of building COM
house and refused the War Works
Council aid Of double the amount OF money
the town would raise for such a building.
In other words II the town had voted
10000 the War Works Council would have
come forward with $4,000 for the project.
It was voted to buy a stone-crusher and to
raise a tax Of Is cents on the dollar OF the
towns grand list to pay for the same.
BUILDING VOTED DOWN
The community building question was
the ninth article in the warning and was
the subject of much discussion, with
oratory in favor and against. The minute
the question was read two motions were
made to dismiss the article, when F. z.
Bigwood gained the attention of the
moderator and opened the question for dis
cussion before any vote was taken, Mr.
Bigwood stated that there was no place
here for public gatherings. that the halls
were all too small and quoted the words Of
Governor Graham when he said at the
Red Cross mass meeting a week ago last
night at the Nickel theatre that they
needed larger hall. He concluded by
making a motion that they purchase land
to erect a community building. ''call It
what you wish, use 1t for what you WISH"
MAGOUN EXPLAINS PROPOSITION.
Ray w. Magoun. who Is a representa-
tive of the War Works Council, which -is a
war department committee to look after
training camp activities was the next
speaker. He said the town had never lost
anything by being a neighbor to Fort
Ethan Allen and that there was con-
tinually government money floating into
town. Fort Ethan Allen, he stated, would
continue as permanent fort and
government money would continue to come
here. In the next three years, he
asserted. the fort would be utilised as
never before. you give them the
street: they have no place to CO."
There is no place for any public gath
erings, there is bound to be increase of
business in the town, and the town
should have such a building for it's peo-
pie. Every dollar the town votes for
the Community building. he stated.
would be covered by two dollars from
outside. He appealed further by ask
Ing the voters to look into the question
thoroughly before voting on 1t. stating
that Fort Ethan Allen is the only MILL
tary post In, the State. Mr.. Bigwood
then gained the floor again and told
the voters that II the people have any
idea of building a town building Of any
kind this was the time and explained
that. according to the proposition as
presented by Mr.. Magoun. II the town
voted $4,000. 1t would be covered by
outside money to double this amount
or 100000. A. s. Morgan then asked II
the town voted sum and received
this assistance II It would have to pay
interest on the money given. Mr.. Ma
% tkA a IA hn
this money would be given withou
strings because I'VE are militar!
neighbors"
The Rev. c. d. Hayward next spoke
In behalf of the project. He though
1t advisable to raise a little extra ta1
and receive the double portion from
outside in behalf Of the building. H,
said that there seemed to be consider
able misunderstanding relative to thi!
building and quoted a short story tt
illustrate his point on ''misunderstand
ing" which brought forth much ap
plause. He said the people though
the community house was not to be
town hall, which was wrong. He salt
| 1t was to be a town hall first and fore
| most. but it is the wish that 1t woul,
| BE opened all the time and not onl,
for town meetings. The purpose o
the building was to have 1t kept opel
and used for basketball. that boy
would not have to go to Essex Juno
ton to practice in.the Community Cen
ter building there; also that dance
and other public gatherings could b.
held there. He said the men and won
en- and all who work in the mills hav
no place to go after their days work
except to picture shows and that an,
night one can see them standing aroun,
on the street corners. or they go I,
Burlington, where their money 1
spent. In such building. he stated
the mill help would be benefited.
CHEvRIER AGAINST BUILDING
]. B. e. Chevrier was the first to speal
In opposition. He was a member of tn
committee appointed a few years ago t
look after the matter Of town hall an
said that at the time the village coul
not AFFORD to pay any more than 5000 o
5000 for the Congregational Church prop
erty then talked of the purpose. He the
went on to say that II the village coul
not raise any more than that at that tim
It could not raise enough to-day to bu
a wood shed. He said. instead. at tn
time. the village put up a building for tn
town clerks office with the amount. H
picked up the rumor that had been goin
around and said that the village woul
not have to pay $4,000 for the buildin
for 1t has not got 1t to pay. and that tn
interest would have to be paid.
Mr.. Morgan then asked the voters I
look into the expenses of the town, II
debt and interests on orders and aske
the voters to consider all matters. H
stated that the Y. NJ. C, A. and clubs An
the fort look after their men and that TIL
building would mean an added expeni
to the town. 1t would necessitate a janitc
to look after it's needs. and that ther
would be shower baths and other nece
stiles.
The discussion was then closed and Il
motion of Mr.. Bigwood, that the villas
kpurchase land and build a communit
building thereon was put to a vote ar
the "yes" vote was very faint. while Il
mo" vote came like a lions roar.
1t was very evident to the promoters
the building proposition that It was to |
voted down. but they wanted to pla,
the proposition before the voters and di
cuss the question. Even then, no In
preston was gained. other than that Il
people that voted against the buildir
, proposition were better Informed afte
ward than they were when they came Wi
, the exprsss intention OF voting 1t down.
REGRET OVER ACTION ExPREssEl
The sentiment Of many who sto,
around the hall after balloting had start,
was that the town lost one of the be
chances Of getting a good public buildil
It ever had and that II better education
cam palRn had been previol,siv v,,ada for