The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1921-07-21
ACTION Tt.SlN
AFTER THOROUGH
CONSIDERATION
In Addition, the Manufac-
turers Took Steps To-
ward Plans for Develop
ing Their Own Electric
Power to Avoid Possible
Raise in Rates

| Granite manufacturers from all cor
ners of the Barre district gathered at
the association hall Wednesday after
noon to consider the present state OF
business in the granite industry. The
outcome of their deliberations resulted
in the announcement to-day of Is per
cent cut in the prices of finished Barre
granite, effective at once.
Attention was not confined to bust
ness conditions alone, for one of the
liveliest subjects of discussion cen.
tered around the menacing power sit
uation in the Barre district Recently
the association obtained an order from
the Vermont public service commission
forbidding the NJ. & B. L. & P Co. from
charging an annual coal bill of $4,000
to the granite manufacturers. But the
power company has countered with an
announced purpose further to increass
the present power rates by 25 per cent.
A hearing on the eompany's petition
to reopen the hearing will be held be-
fore the commission in Montpelier next
Tuesday. Meanwhile, the manufactur-
ers appear to feel that an endless series
OF power increases confronts them un-
less they do something TO protect
themselves. At the meeting yesterday
the informal findings OF various epgi
neers as to the feasibility of installing
coal or oil burning power units
throughout the district were reported
1T was evident that present power
rates are considerably in excess of the
rates which would prevail if the manu-
facturers were making their own pow
er for service and not for profit.
The association voted Unanimously
to make an immediate survey of the
field. with a view to obtaining relief in
the quickest possible time. To that end
President X. J. NJ Jones was empow-
cred to appoint the following commit
tee to investigate and report: George
Straton of Barre, John A. Cross If
Northfeld and I. L. Callahan of Mon--
pelier
Action on the matter of price reduc-
ton had been deferred until the entire
field was thoroughly Gov
cred by reports 1t developed that the
business depression which Barre is ex-
periencing IS extended 10 all compet-
ng granite centers in the country. In
St Cloud. Mimi. in Elberton, Ga, and
N Mount Airy, ~ c., among other To-
,alities, there have been price reduc
ions varying from 90 per cent to 80
Der cent. The St Cloud reduction of %
ler cent it was stated. was based on
cut of Los on rough stock and
g minimum, instead Of IS, for granite
utters
The decision to recommend a Is per
ent reduction in Barre was practically
unanimous Although no concessions in
he way of rough stock reductions have
,een received from Barre quarry own
rs, or from labor. it was felt that a
mt in prices of finished work would
romote much needed stability, re.
tore confidence in the retail trade and
asten return to normal conditions.
the manufacturers felt
hey would thus be demonstrating to
marrying and labor interests their
-illingness to take the first step to-
-ard bringing about a readjustmen in
he Barre granite industry that Is nee
ssary if il is to meet the con1peti-
ION Of other rapidly growing centers