The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1919-02-19
Andrew Mitche 4 Mas IMAM
%
imously SJnfirmed
Lassy vening
is NOVA EMPLOYED
AS GRANITE CUTTER
Trustees of Aldrich Library
Appeal to the City for
Financial Assistance

VA AhCNbAA6 Vi bitN WY NDAAANAis A'Ah wa
Glysson presented the name of Andrew
Mitchell of Pleasant street as a nominee
for chief of the Barre police department
and the aldermen unanimously confirmed
the appointment, the whole board being
present. Arrangements for the new chief
to begin his services were left with the
police committee.
The appointee is a stonecutter BY oc-
cupation who formerly worked for Mari
& Gordon and who is now employed by
Andrew Barclay. He is of Scotch ma
tionality but is an American citizen. He
is comparatively newcomer in Barre,
having resided here since 1914 when he
came from Hardwick. Prior to his resi-
dence in Hardwick he was in the West,
having worked at his trade in Rockville,
Minn for a time. He is spoken of high
ly by those who are acquainted with him.
Mr.. Mitchell is "a years OF age and is Of
large physique. standing about six feet
one inch in his stocking feet and weigh
ing in the vicinity of 2l0 pounds. He is
a married man. He has had no expe-
rience in police work.
The appointment will, of course, run
only during the balance of the municipal
year, which is two weeks, until the an
nual election in March He succeeds
Samuel Sinclair, who presented his resig-
nation recently to take effect Feb. Is
Aldrich Library in Need of Aid.
The matter which caused the prolonga-
tion Of the city council meeting beyond
the usual length was the presentation Of
a request from the trustees Of the Aid
rich library for an increased appropria-
ton from the city treasury because Of
the fact that the trustees find themselves
somewhat pressed for funds. The case
of the trustees was frankly stated BY
L. w. Bisbee and II. H. jackson, who,
with H. +. Averill, appeared before the
council. Mr. Bisbee recited at some
length the history Of the Aldrich library
fund coming from the estate of Leonard
r. Aldrich and willed to the people of
the city and the town of Barre in trust
for the purpose of a library. Mr.. Bisbee
explained that the library is really the
property of the people of Barre albeit il
must remain in trust for all time
through stipulation of the win; and he
stated, further, that the trustees had en-
deayored to consult with the public
through the city council and the individ-
ual citizens and local organizations in
various matters pertaining to the erec
tion. Of the library building. The library
building he said, cost S46,302, exclusive
Of the site, which was generously do
mated by the city.
When the erection of the building was
started the trustees had only $l0,3S9.47
in hand but they had realized on the sale
of the Aldrieh farm Sl0,S00 and on west
ern investments the additional sum of
81 600 The old bank building at the
corner of North Main and Elm streets
which was included in the benefactiou
was torn down and was replaced by
modern business structure; and from
this structure comes the chief income to
support the library, with $500 contribut-
ed annually by the city for maintenance
of the library and the dog license ac-
count for the purchase of books.
At this point Mr. jackson took up the
presentation of the trustees case and
said that there is a mortgage of $4,000
on the Aldrich business block; that the
trustees had to sign a note for 81 900
during the past year to meet increased
expenses incident to the war and the
high cost of living; and that certain i'm
perative repairs that are contemplated
would necessitate an outlay Of $500. The
trustees have pared expenses in every
possible way and they find themselves
beset with "a serious situation, so serious
that they cannot continue to keep the
library operating as at present without
aid.
If the Aldrich business block were free
= l.Ia L., ,r,An
thus wiped out it might be possible for
the library to be selfsupporting; but
there is little prospect of wipiag out the
mortgage debt, as they had hoped to do
through income from the business build
ing. If the trustees could keep their
heads above water on current charges
they would consider the situation as far
less serious.
So they (the trustees) made the re
quest that the city appropriate $1,000
in addition to the $500 usually appro
priated.
After the trustees had presented their
case the council INDUCED in a brief dis
cussion and expressed the hope that
something might be done TO aid. the trus
tees but they considered that it was
matter which shoHld come before the
citizens inasmuch as the appropriation
might become a fixed charge. Therefore,
the motion prevailed to have the mayor
call city meeting at the earliest pos
sibe moment 50 that the citizens might
have the facts fully presented to them.
1t was suggested that inasmuch as the
library was at the disposal of the people
of the town of Barre, as well as the city,
the town should lend some financial sup
port to the trustees annually.
Routine Matters Soon Attended To
Other matters were quickly disposed of
by the council The water departments
report for December was accepted. No
tihcation from the Barre railroad that il
declined to pay its paving assessment of
S46l.2S was promptly followed by a vote
to refer the matter to the city attorney.
The Importance Of the hearing at the
State House in Montpelier next Tuesday
evening on the proposed barge terminal
was emphasized and il was urged that
every member OF the council be present.
the date of the regular weekly meeting
of the city fathers being changed to
Monday evening in order to make it pos
sible for all to attend the hearing Tie
matter of distribution OF soldiers and
sailors medals was left with the medal
committee. The property committee was