The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1919-02-20
BOARD OF TRADE NOTES

BOARD OF TRADE NOTES
The new board Of directors Of the
Manchester, Vermont, Board OF Trade
met ut the Office of the secretary on
Monday evening, February 18th.
Mr.. Claude A. Rich having declined
to be candidate for president for the
coming year on account Of business en-
gagements, Mr.. Walton F. Andrews
was elected president
The following officers were also
elected; A. +. Martin, first vice prcsi-
dent; Thomas J. Healey, second vice
president; Edward Griffith, clerk, and
William II. Roberts, treasurer.
1t was voted to employ Edward
Griffith as secretary.
The various committees will be ap-
pointed by President Andrews in the
near future. Various matters Of inter
est to Manchester were discussed,
among which was the securing Of some
rev industry for the town. The secre.
tary is now corresponding with man
ufacturer of toys who expects TO re-
locate his business soon.
As soon as the committees are ap-
pointed the various matters under dis
cussion will be placed in their hands
for action.
The highway bill drafted by the
Patrol Committee was adversely nc.
ported by the highway committee and
defeated in the House. The defeat Of
this particular bill was the natural re-
suit Of the decision Of the highway
committees Of the House and Senate
to prepare a bill Of their own. They
have appointed subcommittee for
this purpose. The activities Of the
Patrol Committee have created q large
amount Of public sentiment in favor Of
a change in our highway laws and II
is very likely that desirable changes
will appear in the committee bill.
The opposition to the Patrol Com
mittee bill was mostly among personal
friends Of Highway Commissioner
Bates who seemed TO fear that Mr..
Bates was going to be relieved entirely
or given a subordinate position. There
is also 4 certain element who think our
roads and road laws are perfect now.
The opponents Of the bill made the
most Of the section Of the Patrol bill
which does away with consultation
Of selectmen as to location of State
road work. This right Of the select
men Of towns to be consulted amounts
to very little under the present law az
The Highway Commissioner can refuse
20 approve Of location selected by the
owns. The commissioner may then
AXE the, money unexpended and use II
anywhere he wishes In the town or out
II it.
However, this argument appealed 70
many and was made the most Of.
The critics Of the bill apparently
lad nothing better to suggest and
ontented themselves with destructive
riticism. Although the Patrol bill did
ot say word as to what kind Of
oads were to be built or where they
,cre to be built, or how they were TO
9 financed, but simply provided for
areful investigation Of all Of these
iatters, the opposition tried very hard
, make it appear that the Patrol
ommittee favored spending q lot Of
Ioney on trunk lines for the benefit
few and that bond issue was 70
: the result of passing the bill. They
zen asserted that the Patrol Commit
e favored cement roads and that
unk lines built Of cement were sure
come If that bill was passed. Most
'oplc believe most readily those
ings which they want 10 believe and
morally like TO listen TO the man
30 tells them that somebody is try
< TO put something over on them.
The men all over the State who have
ven time and money 10 promote the
use Of good roads are just az ready
stand back Of the highway commit
I bill or any other bill, If it promises
he q good progressive road law, as
py were to stand back of the Patrol
bill. They have all been
rking for the good Of the State and
It Is their only interest in the mat
: