The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1921-11-03
VERMONT
ASSOCIATION MEETS
Splendid GaihsrinR Held At Rutland.
Governor BArtness and Various De
pATtmeni Heads Present.


With a thoroughly representative
audience present from almost every
county in the state. filling the gym
nasium Of the Community house in
Rutland comfortably, and including
many ladies, farmers and business
men. the Greater Vermont Association
held Thursday two notable and sig
nihoAnt meetings.
This was the first meeting since the
World War. and the conference took
eogniEanee Of several pressing state
problems
Group conferences and committees
met between the morning and after
noon sessions. Among the high hghts
Of the meeting was a spirited clash
between Auditor Benjamin Gates and
Gov. James HArtness.
Mr.. Gates had outlined plans for
consolidating 100 state departments
and activities ints eight or ten and
had made the startling statement that
ne living soul knows today just what
the total appropriations OF the state
Vermont amount to.
He proposed an executive budget.
for which he would make the governor
directly responsible.
In response TO 8 question as to how
he would make the budget effective,
Auditor Gates said the people should
elect a governor who would give all
his time 70 the administration OF state
funds.
"Just how has Governor Hartness
been remiss in his duties ?" queried
John T. Gushing Of 81. Albsns, credit
ed with being one Of two men who
made Hartness governor.
I'm not blaming Governor
Hartness any more than any other
governor" replied the speaker,
''but | notice he did not raise his
hand when | asked IL any one
knew what the total appropria-
tions OF the State Of Vermont
were. A governor ought to have
his nose to the grindstone and
know about these things"
This remark c2usel visible senss-
tion and brought the governor to his
feet.
Il object to a statement that is not
In accordance with the facts" said the
executive Of the state. II have been
in close touch with business all my
life | think know what is going on
in the state. Auditor Gates is dill
gent and efficient officer, but he has
been led into statement that is not
correct"
Constructive addresses by Ebert 5
Brigham, commissioner Of agriculture
Clarence II. Dempsey, commissioner
Of education, and Thurman W. DIX
highway commissioner, were features
OF the afternoon session, the evening
being mostly devoted to a critical ad-
dress by W. S. Rossiter Of Concord
Nh. The conference went on record
against the proposed railway strike
The afternoon meeting opened with
a brief. Introductory talk by President
Fred II. Bsbbitt Of Bellows Falls, who
introduced Gov. James Hartness as the
first speaker Of the conference
Governor Hartness referred grace
fully 70 the consistent record Of the
Greater Vermont Association in ser
vice TO the state, congrat1lating The
organization on its officers and their
activities. He spoke first Of the strike
OF railway employees that was pend
ing, asserting that Vermont will be
ready 70 meet whatever emergency
may arise.
With regard To aviation, the Cover
nor called attention to the statement
of a prominent leader who thought
that by 1924 aviation will have be
come the greatest thing OF the hour
The speaker declared that the Greater
Vermont Association might well de
vote its time 10 preparing the state
for a place in this field OF activity. he
urged especially the establishment Of
numerous landing fields throughout
the state
BENJAMIN Gates, state auditor OF ac-
counts, spoke next, making very en-
ph2tic and sincerely expressed appeal
FOR the establishment Of budgetary
system FOR the control OF the state s
expenditures. He said that the lSC
different state appropriation made BY
the last Legislature could be brought
under about eight heads.
Al the present time Vermont has
no executive budget. bat spends
money as appropriated, ard non,
knows how much is appropriated II
Is Ike running a Pierce-Arrow car
with Ford motor" was the way the
Anditor put L.
The way % secure a thing of this
sort Is 70 End mar whom we know