Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1919-01-15
Newport Board of Trade Road Policy


watched the patrol committee, a new
/ Vermont organization which has
/ talked good roads, with the idea of
I assisting any wise movement to this
end. A committee of SIX from New
port attended a meeting of the Patrol
/ committee at St. JOhnsbury and at
that time endeavored to learn what
/ the purpose of that organization was,
/ but were unable to do so. Being I'M
/ able TO learn what the definite policy
of the Patrol committee was the New
I port men refused to commit them
selves to the support of the organiza-
ton.
Learning last week what sort of
road legislation the Patrol committee
proposed. viz, bill putting the road
department under the control of a
commission of three and q road en-
gineer, the following action resulted
by the Newport Board of Trade:
Hon. Edward Griffith,
Secretary of Patrol Committee,
At meeting of the Newport
Board of Trade held at Newport, Jan.
8, the following statement of its
views regarding the road legislation
of Vermont was adopted and the sec
rotary instructed to send copy to
the secretary of the Patrol committee
and request that it be read at its
meeting in Burlington, Thursday eve
ming, Jan. 9, 1919:
I'VE believe that Vermont needs
and should have in the immediate fu-
ture greatly improved roads.
Eve believe that all round i'm
provement is more important to Yer
monters as a whole than so-called
trunk lines.
1--WE believe that if possible all un-
improved and unfinished sections in
our main highways should be COM
pleted during the coming summer
with frst-class gravel construction.
I'VE believe that all our main high
ways should be put in such a condi-
ton by widening narrow places,
changing the approach to bridges,
banking curves, and removing every
thing which hides a proper view so
as to make it safe to travel continu-
ously on these roads at good rate
of speed.
eve believe that all improved
roads should be thoroughly and con-
stantly patrolled in such way as to
keep them at all times in first-class
condition.
1--WE believe that while it is no
doubt true that Vermont must soon
adopt some form of hard surface
roads for localities where the travel
is excessive that for a long time to
come the first-cIass gravel road
thoroughly patrolled will ordinarily
be the most practical for our condi-
tons.
1--WE believe that the system of
highway administration we have had
in the past has been most satisfac-
-sr L
able improvement of our highways
and at very reasonable expense.
I'VE believe that on that account
this system should be continued al
though some changes in details may
be desirable.
eve believe that the policy of con-
structing selected roads under the di-
rection of the state and in coopera-
ton with the town is a most favora-
bic feature of our highway system
and such faults as may be found with
this system are greatly outweighed
by the good effect it has in stimulat-
ing the interest of all the people in
good roads.
I'VE believe that every effort
should be made to encourage cooper
alton between the towns and the state
as well as between the state and the
federal government, looking toward
greatly improved highways in our
state.
I'VE believe that motor trucks op-
Grating on the highways of Vermont
should be limited in weight and the
sizes of tires prescribed for various
loads so that the motor truck travel
shall not be allowed to injure or de-
strOy such roads as Vermont is able
to provide for their use.
'We believe that if it is necessary
IN order TO carry out such a broad
and comprehensive plan of all round
roads improvement, especially as re-
CARDS the taking advantage of any
funds which may be available from
the federal government, that it would
be good business judgment and for
the best interest of the state both
now and in the future to borrow
moderate amount of money for this
purpose"
Signed: Newport Board of Trade,
L. B. Wellman, Sec'y.