The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1919-12-09
But Cities May Refer Mat
ter to Voters in Barre
and Montpelier
HOURLY CAR SERVICE
is ONE FEATURE
Montpelier's City Council
Has Already Decided to
Refer the Matter

CpHltIeHct bOOh llldce DttWecH tue
Montpelier and Barre city councils and
the selectmen of Berlin last evening in
the Barre city council chamber, which
resulted in the Montpelier city council
voting, in special meeting held fol-
lowing the conference, to call special
city meeting in Montpelier for the pur-
pose of ascertaining if the voters of
that city will grant authority to the
council to change temporarily the run
ming schedule of the traction company
between Montpelier and Barre; and a
committee, composed of one man from
Montpelier and Barre city councils each
and the two selectmen from Berlin will
meet shortly for the purpose of devils
ing some plan to be presented to the
company in behalf of Berlin, so that
that town win not be neglected in the
matter Of improved conditions if such
are made.
The conference was held at the invi-
tation OF the Barre city council, Mont
pelier having previously granted the re-
quest that the traction company asked
after they found they could not extend
the service to one hour as the major
ity of the franchise committee wanted
to do. This left out the fiye-cent local
rate within the city. 1t had been stated
to members Of Montpelier council that
Berlin had adopted the same as Mont
pelier did, but this impression was cor
rected last evening. What the select
men did say was that they would abide
by the decision of the two cities
The conference was presided over by
Mayor Glysson, who asked Clerk Mae
kay to explain the problem to the con
ference members, which was done, and
then considerable discussion took place.
Dufng the course Of this it was
brought out by the Barre council that
almost every member OF the Montpelier
council was agreeable to Barre's plan
lin spite Of the fact that the Montpelier
council had voted to giant the request
Of the traction company. From time
to time during the evening different
members Of the Montpelier delegation
let it be known that they wanted to
try ont the hour schedule. excepting
Alderman Bowers, who opposed it.
Mayor Shurtlef explained why, in his
opinion. that plan had not been adopt
ed, namely, the clause in the franchise
which does not permit a longer sched-
ule than every 45 minutes.
The Barre council sustained its atti-
tude that it was not favorable to the
request asked by the company and it
intimated that it would not grant it
until trial of the new proposition
took place.
Those present were of the opinion
that public sentiment was such that
no opposition to the temporary ar
rangements of the hour schedule would
take place; but the Montpelier mem
bers believed their charter would not
permit granting the proposed change
without vote of the city, and the
council members seemed agreeable to
asking the mayor to have a meeting
Upon suggestion of Montpelier alder
men, special meeting Of the Mont
pclier council then took place, so that
the matter might be placed before its
voters at the earliest possible time.
Upon motion Of Alderman Stratton it
was voted to instruct the clerk to call a
special meeting as stated above.
Mr.. MacSay then suggested that he
was interested in how Berlin was com
ing out and suggested that representa-
tiyes of each council and one Of the
selectmen Of Berlin draft some pro
posals to the councils that would take
care of Berlin~o that residents of that
town would not have to pay u cents
to get to either city. This was the
sentiment that Alderman Mcmillan had
suggested by inquiry of the selectmen
earlier in the evening. Alderman Bow
ers, chairman of the franchise commit
tee in Montpelier, was designated from
that city.
It was proposed an effort be made to
get a innocent fare for Berlin residents
to either city. Then it was decided to
allow both Berlin selectmen to act,
there being but two selectmen at the
present time There is meeting to be
held Dec. % to elect selectman in
that town so that the proposed tenn
porary change in schedule can be hand
led by Berlin at that meeting.
1t is expected that at the Barre city
council meeting held tonight the mat
ter of the city meeting viii be consid-
cred to agree with the action of the
other two municipalities. An adjourn
ment of the conference occurred at 3
o'clock with feeling that considerable
had been ACCOMPLISHED.