Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-02-27

centers. although putting out an inferior
grade Of granite, can compete with
Barre.
VERMONT HELD DOWN
Mr.. Mckay claimed that inability to
make use of our raw materials has held
Vermont down in the industrial world,
since transportation facilities to the
great markets of the world have been
inferior. He maintained that by means
Of barge terminal thousands of dol
lars could be saved to the state every
year, which now go into the treasures
of the railroads
There is material lying useless in this
State" said Mr.. Mckay. (which would
pave the streets of every city we could
reach" The speaker maintained that
transportation Is the thing that puts life
into business and better transportation
facilities mean better markets.
Mr.. Brooks of st. Johnsbury called
attention to the fact that Vermont has
just been going through period which
has linked ell her citizens together
as one. and he maintained that there
is now nothing too difficult for Yer
mont to tackle SO long as it be a
worthy object.
And even in Vermont we cannot
live on scenery no matter how beau
tiful 1t may be-" said Mr.. Brooks. THE
world has beaten n track up here to
Vermont, our little northwest neck of
the woods. because we have some
thing which the world wants"
Speaking for the scale manufacture
ing industry of st. Johnsbury and
other parts of the state as WELL Mr.
Brooks said that while Vermont leads
in this industry the question is al
ready being raised as to whether it
will be possible much longer with in
creasing freight rates to continue the
manufacture of scales in Vermont. The
bringing in of raw material is n big
problem these days and Springfield
and Windsor are having the same
trouble in getting in raw material
for their industries.
Mr.. Brooks maintained that after
the government has expended a large
sum on the narrows of Lake Cham
plain the State would be blind indeed
if it did not take advantage of this
opportunity.
Let us keep that wheel going which
the war has engendered." said Mr.
Brooks. Let us use our credit, our
faith in the future with the deter
mination that we place Vermont and
her Industries on the map of the
world"
Mr.. Jones spoke briefly referring to
the saving on coal coming into the State.
Mr.. Gordon of johnson told of the COM
petition with certain southern States in
the tale industry and said that the few
cents a ton which would be saved through
water transportation would mean much
and would allow Vermont tale COM
panies to compete with the West
Senator Varnum of Jacksonville, who
was member of the barge terminal
commission during the past two years,
declared that the Vermont barge terminal
would stabilize the rail rates even though
a ton of coal was never unloaded on the
dock at Burlington.
Harry Howard of Burlington, who has
put eight years into the study of this
problem, serving in various public
capacities reviewed some Of the things
which have already been done in the
opening up of waterways throughout
New York State and what investigations
have been made on the part of Vermont
He urged that this barge terminal be
built as State affair, rather than letting
private capital have anything to do with
it, He also believed that it would be a
great thing to relieve the employment
situation and keep many of our soldier
boys who are coming back Interested In
public utilities here in the State