The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1921-02-25
Vermont Senate Rejected
Bill Exempting Companies
From Street Outlay
ALSO THE MEASURE
TO REDUCE SERVICE
Both Bills Had Been Re-
ported Favorably But
Lost By Big Votes

NAV be relieved from obligations relat-
ing to street improvement when the
municipality so votes; and ). 70, en-
ablng the public service commission
to authorize companies operating street
railways to discontinue service thereon
or dispose of the property thereof
Both of these bills were reported favor
ably, but were rejected by large votes,
the former after much debate by yea
and nay vote of % to q, and the lat
ter without debate and by viva voce
vote.
Bennington and Rutland county sen
ators were successful in having H. 2l,
refused third reading this morning.
Those voting for the bill being Sena-
tors Cobb. Sherburne, Villas and Will
liams. Senators Bottum, Bryant Mont
gomery and Slayton were absent when
the vote was taken.
Senator Bottum started the attack
on the bill and read a communication
from the citizens of Bennington, oppos
ing its passage Senator Kingsley said
that Rutland grants the street railway
franchise and expects service IN re-
turn. but often does not get 1t. He OBJ
iected to the bill also on the ground
that 1t brings street railways into pol
itics.
Senators Sherburne and Villas de-
Tended the bill. Senator Sherburne said
that only u people were present at the
village meeting in Bennington when
the resolutions referred to by Senator
Bottum were adopted.
As good an authority as Lieuten-
ant Governor Frank f. Howe said that
those who appeared against this bill
did not represent the sentiment OF the
village of Bennington declared Sena
tor Sherburne. He said that this is
merely an enabling act, that only one
of the several electric railways in the
state is solvent, and that he considered
this a fair proposition.
we haven't gotten over the idea of
soaking the street railways because they
are corporations, he declared. The
devil may be pretty black but he should
be given a square deal.
Senator Kingsley answered Senator
Sherburne. declaring that the charters
were given to the street railways on
their own terms.
Now if these railroad companies
have fallen down" he said, 'it is due 10
one of two things, either gross mis-
management. or that they have become
one of interlockipg corporations which
eat up the overhead in paying divi-
dends. / think the traction companies
are in poor shape 10 come before this
legislature and plead poverty. If they
would do anything TO accommodate the
public. we would feel more like accom-
modating them.
Senator Nichols said: we feel in
Rutland that we have been soaked by
the street railways. They haven't been
managed as they should
Senator Villas said he was hot cor
poration lawyer. but he considered it
fair that municipalities should be al
lowed to exempt any corporation from
certain things. He called this merely To-
cal self government He said that the
reason that most street railways in
Vermont have not paid is because there
are not enough people to ride on the
cars. Senator Carpenter called for the
yeas and nays.
State Teachers College Bill.
The state teachers college measure
Is. 44) reported fsvorably this morn
,1g iiom tu.' committees n educs ion
sud educational institutions, was laid
on the table ~ i maic a special orir|
for next Thursday.
The Senate took care of quite bit
OF business and adjourned Just before
noon until next Wednesday evening, as
provided by the March meeting ad
journment resolution
Vail SchooF Discontinuance
Mr.. Dyer Of Salisbury introduced in
the House this morning a joint resOlu
tion providing for the discontinuance
of the Vail school. Il was laid on the
tabl. pending action upon legislation
regarding this school now before the
itHlrihNutt-
Messrs. Pollard Of Csvendish. Brad
lev of Swantou and Barber OF Brat
tleboro made a sharp attack on II. 249,
TO raise the salary Of the bank com
missioner TO 5000. and on motion Of
Mr. Barber. the bill was continued 10
the committee on ways and means
The house passed Il bills. advanced
seven TO a third reading including the
droyers bill. II 2a5, and killed five
bills Of routine character
Both houses adjourned until Wednes
day evening. March ?. until o'clock in
the eve-Ina Mileage allowance one
way at 10 cents a mile vas agreed
upon.
Bills introduced in the House.
House 355. Reported by the com
mittee on commerce and labor TO
amend section 5SO4 of the general laws
relating 20 examination by q physician .
in workmen'- compensation cs-es- Pro I
viding that the commissioned may cali
upon the state pstholcgist 10 supply
a physician for the purpose Of sPe I
rial medical examination In the CON- /
missioner department work
House 85G Reported by che com I
mfse. ou municipal csruorstio To
amend se,;ion slo6 q the general lass