The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1920-10-30
PUBLIC TROLLEY
ROAD NEE INC
LIVELY AFFAIR
Interesting Debate Last Night at
High School Hall
SITUATION UNCHANGED
Gathering Last Evening Developed
Considerable information andPro.
vided Amusing Entertainment

evening for the purpose of ascertain
ing the sentiment of the community
In relation to the controversy with
the Berkshire Street Railway COM
pany was in session for about two
hours and closed without any definite
action. When the meeting adjourned
there was resolution and an amend
ment before the house but neither
reached vote
While the meeting accomplished
no tangible result, II succeeded in
clearing the atmosphere TO a consid-
erable extent and resulted in bringing
the real facts OF the situation before
the people OF the village, between
three and four hundred Of whom were
in attendance at the meeting.
In opening the meeting, following
the election OF William p. Hogan as
clerk. Village President Morrissey
stated the purpose of the meeting and
read letter from General Manager
c. Q. Richmond of the Berkshire Sys
tenn stating that rather than become
further involved in the controversy
over the track on East Main street the
company preferred to take up its
rails and abandon service on that por
tion OF its lines.
Edward d. Hall presented a resolu-
ton that the report OF the trustees
be accepted and that they proceed
with the relaying OF the track on
East Main street and the construc-
ton of the concrete paving between
and cn one foot outside of the rails
and that the village make such
charge for this work against the
company as provided by the charter.
Harry j, Cole proposed an amend
ment to the resolution that the com
pany be invited by the trustees TO
take up its rails on East Main street.
In advocating his amendment Mr..
Cole arraigned the electric railroad
company in severe terms. The threat
to take up its rails, he said, was a
bluff and he advised the village to
e"call it," Mr.. Cole spoke at some
length and roundly condemned the
service that had been provided by the
company and its attitude in its deal
ings with the village
Earl w Williams suggested that
any action which should be taken eth
er by the village or the company tow
ard removing the rails on East Main
street would require the approval Of
the public service commission.
Robert f. Healy, attorney for the
Vermont company which operates un.
der lease to the Berkshire Street Rail
way company that portion of the sys-
tenn inside the borders of this state,
stated the position Of the company.
Mr.. Healy. Mr.. Cole and Trustee G..
S. Buchanan who spoke for the trus-
tees took part in long debate which
was at times marked by some bitter.
ness, which developed not little
humor and which provided a large
amount OF entertainment for the audi
ence. Mr.. Cole continued to arraign
the trolley company, Mr. Buchanan
persisted that the trustees had been
unable to obtain any satisfaction in
their attempts to deal viii Mr. Rich
mand and George W., Greene, superin
tendent of the Vermont company, Mr..
Healy pleaded with the meeting for
further conference. He asked, that
the door be left open for an agree.
ment instead of closing II finally
against future negotiations. lie as
sured the meeting that the president
OF the berkshire system, Mr. Storrs,
and Mr., Richmond would meet With
the trustees in compromising spirit
While he was not in position TO make
a definite promise to that effect he .Cf
fered a proposal that the company
would provide the rails and tie. and
the workmen to relay the track on
Main street between the Cooper bridge
and the Dewey crossing when those
Improvements were undertaken In the
spring.
Judge Il. l.. Bates supported Mr.
Healys proposal to delay action and
moved that the meeting adjourn. DR.
c. w, Bartlett was adverse to any ac
tion that would result in the suspen
sion Of service over the railroad
Trustee Buchanan, Mr. Healy and
Mr., Hall kept the debate in motion
for some time but the motion to ad
journ finally prevailed.