Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-05-09
CRITICIZE
TRACTION COMPANY
Declare That New Franchise
Should Contain Terms More
Favorable to the City-Some
: Marked Increases in Salaries
Recommended-Fire Dept.

"A communication from Clark c. Briggs
10 the city fathers and read Mt the
meeting Of the board of aldermen Mon
day night started a movement that Is to
result In the franchise to the Traction
company being brought up before the
hoard for action in the near future, be-
cause. as one alderman said, the car peo-
pie need an overhauling.
The communication from Mr.. Briggs
related to the habit conductors have OF
stopping their cars at the foot Of Church
street while they transact business In the
Office of the Traction company. In the
city hall. It was Mr.. Briggs opinion that
the cars should turn the corner. on to
Main street, before coming to a halt. II
they did this, there would be no holding
ND of automobiles, teams and traffic in
reneral, The writer was Of the opinion
that no one could blockade traffic but the
Traction company and get away with 1t.
Mayor jackson arose and told the men,
beers of the board that he had already
written to John J. Flynn. one OF the off,
Gals Of the company, about this matter
and that that official had answered him
that he would be glad to comply with the
mayors wishes and see to 1t that the cars
make their stopping place In the future
on Main street.
Alderman Woodbury. was Of the opinion
that conductors should run their cars as
far as the switch in front Of the Western
Union Telegraph company's office. so
that passengers from other cars from the
south would not be compelled In the
future as in the past to carry their bag
gage to the cars at the foot Of Church
street. Chairman Luck of the board was
also Of this opinion and stated that Alder
man Woodbury. had taken the words from
his mouth. He added that at times the con-
ductors on the Essex cars pay no atten-
ton to passengers who try to board from
Lakeside cars.
It was at this juncture that Alderman
Caisse asserted with much earnestness
that the electric cars should be COM
PEELED in the signing Of the new fran
chise to carry firemen free of charge,
the same as policemen. He also included
the callmen when fires raging in diff
ferent parts Of the city needed their
assistance.
It was Alderman Bergeron, however.
who started the ball rolling. by assert
ing that 1t was possible for the city to
get some returns from the Traction COM
pany for the privilege of franchise.
He said many companies would be glad
70 get 1t even II they were asked to pay
stated that the Traction company had
never paid cent to the city for the
rights they enjoyed. He then asked that
the franchise be brought back upon the
table for action, adding that the COM
pany should be notified that the fran
chise had run out.
His motion was seconded by Alderman
Caisse and the final result was that all
Of the aldermen agreed that the fran
chise should be brought back and given
"A overhauling. Before the board was
through with the Traction company it
WAS given q bang because Of the condi-
ton OF North street after the company's
snowplows had plowed the tracks free
from snow, to be left at the side of the
road. Alderman Caisse said, much to the
discontinue Of persons driving along the
street
WANT POPULAR" MUSIC.
The Sherman band appropriation for the
coming year, for concerts in Battery and
City Hall Parks was laid on the table
ana its passage is subject to a report
Of a committee Of three who are to con-
suit with officers Of the band organiza-
ton. with the view of obtaining their
consent to have the band play as many
popular pieces Of music the coming year
~ they do Of the so-called classical kind
that the band should play popular airs
~ the public demand 1t. and the public
pay the freight. He said that more
people would be drawn to the band con.
csrts were this the case. and cited sew
eral complaints he had received in tn,
past from citizens of the bands failure
to play popular music. Other of the cit,
fathers acquiesced in the views of tn,
boards chairman.
REQUESTS FROM FIRE COMMITS
SIONERS.
"A committee Of three Is to be an
pointed Immediately to look into the peti
ton from the fire commissioners which
requests one new aerial truck two add
tional trucks similar to the one recently
purchased and which arrived in this cit,
Monday. triple pump and 1000 fee
Of hose.
The fre commissioners say in sub
stance that to prevent another conflagra
ton similar to the one that destroye,
the plant Of the Milk Chocolate com
pany the department Is in urgent nee,
OF the aforementioned apparatus. Be
sides the apparatus the fire commission
srs ask the installation Of an eight inc
water main to Howard Park from tn
main that runs as far as the Queen Cit
cotton mill. Hydrants also are aske
for.
Alderman Woodbury. stated tina
while he was of the opinion that tn
city needed more apparatus. he though
u advisable that a committe should b
appointed and make a written repor
SttA views were concurred in by tn
remainder OF the board.
INCREASE IN SALARIES RECON-.
r. MENDED.
me report of the salary committe
wae read. recommending that Mayo
Jackson's salary be increased fro,
$500 TO $1,000. a $1,000 a year increas,
tAs salary Of City Attorney Peck b
inereased from $3.50 to $1,000 Ito ir
clude incidental expenses; the salar