The Barre Daily Times from Barre, Vermont • 1

THE BARRE DAILY TIMES XXI NO. 283. BARRE, VERMONT, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1918. PRICE, ONE CENT. ALLEGED WAR CONTRACT SCANDAL WILL BE AIRED PRESIDENT WILSON ORDERS HOG ISLAND CHARGES OPENED To Determine Whether There Has Been Criminal Misuse of Government Funds ATTORNEY-GEN.

GETS ORDER TO BEGIN WORK About $42,000,000 of Government Money Was Involved in the Hog Island Project Washington, D. Feb. Wilson today directed Attorney General Gregory to investigate the Hog Island shipyard's contracts, which were adversely criticised before the Senate commerce committee, and determine whether there has been any criminal misuse of government funds. He directed Gregory to work in conjunction with Chairman Hurley of the shipping board in the investigation. About $42,000,000 of government mon-1 ey has been involved in the Hog Island project, in which the American International corporation, headed by Frank A.

Vanderlip, president of the National City bank, has figured. An investigation by the department of justice was recommended by Hurley, who asked that the assistant to the attorney general be sent to Hog Island to work with Assistant General Manager Bowles of the Emergeney Fleet corporation who was put in active charge of the yard recently. Bowles had been directed by Hurley to put the yard on. an economical basis. Shipping board officials are of the opinion that there has been nothing worse than inefficient management and reckless expending of funds but want to ascertain all the facts.

TO EXTEND CAMPAIGN. For Junior Red Cross Membership in New England Schools. Boston, Feb. 14. Owing to the that many New England schools are closed because of the fuel shortage, lack of transportation and other causes, the Junior Red Cross membership campaign scheduled for the period between Lincoln's and Washington's birthdays will be until every school in New extended, had an opportunity to get a thorough knowledge of the junior membership, as desires.

well as a chance to enThe campaign is already well under way. Up to the present time, including work done before the campaign, tically every school in the city pract, Worcester, has enrolled as a junior auxiliary-56 schools in all, with a total pupil population of 22,541. In addition, 42 schools with a pupil of more than 3,500 have enrolled remaining portion of the Worcester coun1y chapter jurisdiction. This work has been under direction of Mrs. E.

L. Kinsley, chairman of the Worcester county chapter school committee. Rev. Augustin F. Hickey, supervisor of the parochial schools in the Boston diocese, reports that about one-third of the total number of parochial schools in his district have already enrolled or signified their intention to enroll.

This ineludes about 22,000 pupils. Reports have not yet come in from the other districts, but from letters received splendid results are expected. 54 ZERO DAYS. Largest Number in 44 Years at St. Johnsbury Center.

St. Johnsbury, Feb. Ba Butler of St. Johnsbury Center, who has kept a weather and meteorlogical record for the past 44 years, reports that up to Feb. 11 there have been 54 days when the mercury registered below zero the present winter.

This is the largest number of days since he has kept the record. In November there were two days, in December 20, in January, 24, and in February eight days. A few miles north of Mr. Butler's home in the hill town of Newark the snow is reported to be four and one-half feet deep and at Barnet when the ice was cut at the dam of the local electric light company the superintendent found it 38 inches thick. WOULD-BE WEST POINTERS.

Pershing Informs War Department of go Candidates from the Ranks. Washington, Feb. Pershing has informed the war department that 90 enlisted men of the American expeditionary forces are candidates for entrance to the West Point military academy. The president has authority by law to appoint and keep filled a roster of 180 enlisted men at the academy. Community Sing at St.

Johnsbury. St. Johnsbury, Feb. Through the suggestion of Miss Brownell, teacher of music in the academy and public schools, there will be a community sing at the armory on the evening of Feb. 19.

It is expected that an audience of 1,000 people will gather that night to sing popular melodies and join with many other communities in the United States in thus observing the "week of song." An orchestra will lead in the accompaniment the boys from St. Gabriel's school will play the "Marseillaise" and other patriotic airs. U.S. GUNNERS BLASTED PATH For French Troops to Highly Successful Raid OFFICIAL NOTICE OF THEIR GUNFIRE French Penetrated to Third German Line in Champagne Paris, Feb. batteries took part in an artillery bombardment in connection with the large French raid in Champagne yesterday.

It is announced officially that effective assistance was given by the American gunners. Last night's official report told of the raid as follows: "In the Champagne, after brief artillery preparation, we carried out a big raid in the region south of Butte Mesnil, on a front of about 7200 meters. Our detachments penetrated the German sition as far as the third line, overthrew the enemy defenses and destroyed numerous shelters. We captured more than ,100 prisoners. "In the period from Feb.

1 to 10 our pilots brought down 28 German airplanes, 14 of which were entirely destroyed and the other 14 seriously damaged. The American gunners are trained by the French before going active service on their own front. American into, batteries referred to in the French official report evidently are some of those undergoing this instruction. GERMANS ADMIT LOSS. French Gained Footing in Their Positions Near Tahure.

Berlin, via London, Feb. an attack yesterday on the Champagne front near Tahure, the war office announces, the French obtained a footing in a salient of the German positions. A. J. SIBLEY DEAD.

Prominent Montpelier Man and a Leading Democrat of Vermont. Andrew J. Sibley, for many years prominent throughout Vermont in the Democratie party, a banker connected with the Capital Savings Bank Trust company for many years, and one of its officers, died at Montpelier about 9 o'clock this morning following a short illness of pneumonia. He had been in poor health for some years. Last week he felt badly, but on he was able to attend the annual meeting of the Church of the Messiah, in which he has did not feel very well.

He had a heart always taken a prominent part, but 1 he trouble and pneumonia developed. Oxygen was used Wednesday and he was in the care of two nurses. Andrew J. Sibley was a native of East Montpelier, where he was born Aug. 15, 1839, a son of Mr.

and Mrs. Charles Sibley. He lived in East Montpelier for many years but when a young man went to as Montpelier and was employed in hotel work a clerk for some years. For many years he was the manager of the old Pavilion and after the construction of the new Pavilion he was manager of that. At the organizing of the Capital Savings Bank Trust company he was elected a director of the institution and at the directors' meeting was elected a vice-president, which office he held until the death of T.

J. Deavitt. when he was elected president of the bank. He had always been prominently connected with the Church of the Messiah. having been on the official board and auditor for many years.

When the Apollo club was organized he affiliated with that and has been prominent in the affairs of it. He WAS vice-president of the Montpelier Board of Trade for many years. He was president of the choral union and gave a great deal of his time and means to that. He was always interested in any musical enterprise. His support of the Montpelier Military band has had much to do with the band's existence for years.

He was at the time of his death treasurer of Heaton hospital, which office he held many years, and he had given a great deal of time and thought to its welfare. He was interested in many of the projects for the betterment of Montpelier and was identified with many of those that have left a lasting good effect upon the city. In 1900 he was elected representative of the city, but poor health prevented him from taking the prominent part he would otherwise have taken. However, to Mr. Sibley's efforts were largely due the election of W.

P. Dillingham as senator from Vermont in his fight with Mr. Grout of Newport. Of course there was no chance for a Democrat in the fight, and the friendship between Messrs. Dillingham and Sibley won many votes from the Democratie party for the senator.

Many as man in Montpelier can look back to the help which Mr. Sibley has given him which started him on the road to a successful business career? Mr. Sibley was very reluctant about any publicity connected with himself the enterprises in which he was prominent. Mr. Sibley was the last of his family.

His brother, Ripley, who lived in Massachusetts, died a few years ago, while his only daughter, Mabel, died when a child, so that the sole surviving relatives, other than cousins, is Mrs. Sibley, who is but a little younger than the deceased and who is in poor health. Actions in Probate Court. In probate court to-day Luke R. Roberts of Waterbury was appointed as administrator of the estate of Ella M.

Atkins, late of Waterbury; Fred W. Dutton of Northfield settled his accounts 3.9 executor of the will of Walter J. tridge, late of Northfield. C. DeF.

Bancroft, Montpelier, Goes to Join Signal, Corps. went to Burlington to day to submit himself for enlistment the signal corps, having passed the examination at Montpelier recently. SHIP LINES TAKEN OVER In Order to Insure Greater Movement of Coal to New England AND FOR SHIPMENT TO THE NORTHWEST W. H. Pleasant Named as Manager of the RailroadOperated Steamers Washington, D.

Feb. 14 -The wise and Great Lakes steamship lines, operated by the railroads, were to-day placed by Director-General McAdoo under the supervision of W. H. Pleasant of New York, president of the Ocean Steamship company, who was designated 88 manager of the marine section of railroad administration. or Special organization of attention water will be transportation given to fa- the cilities to insure a greater movement of coal to New England and the better use of lake shipping to haul coal to the northwest.

From time time the railroad administration will take over temporarily the steamers not needed by the shipping board for trans-Atlantic traffic and use them in the coastwise trade. Independent steamship lines not operated by the railroads are not involved in the new arrangements. HEATLESS DAYS ORDERED AT END But New England Has Right to Continue Them in -Storrow Calls for Conference. Washington, D. Feb.

suswas pension of announced the last heatless night Monday by program. ministrator Garfield, with the reservation that it might be put back into force before the ten weeks' period expires if a return of bad weather brings another breakdown in railroad transportation. At the same time he gave state administrators authority to continue the closing if circumstances demanded it. JONES COULDN'T GO. But He Sent Mason S.

Stone to New England Coal Conference. State Fuel Administrator H. J. M. Jones was unable to go to Boston to-day for the conference of New England fuel administrators regarding the removal of the "heatless Monday" order, but he sent his executive clerk, Mason S.

Stone, who left Montpelier on the midnight train. Mr. Jones stated to-day that he was willing to stand with the New England states on the matter. JUSTUS W. F.

WASHBURN. Montpelier Man Died To-day, Aged Nearly 74 Years. Justus W. F. Washburn died shortly after noon.

to-day at his home in Montpelier of hardening of the arteries, for which an operation was performed Tuesday night to relieve him, his left leg being amputated at the knee. He was well known in Masonic circles throughout the state. Mr. Washburn, the son of Gamaliel and Caroline Washburn, was born in Montpelier March 17. 1844.

He was educated in the public schools of Montpelier and then went to Norwich university. In 1863 he entered the Civil as a member of Co. 24th Massachusetts volunteer infantry, and was discharged In 1866. He escaped wounds, but suffered from a sunstroke. Because of his expert penmanship he became a registering clerk.

Mr. Washburn was a past potentate of Mount Sinai temple, Nobles of the Mystie Shrine, past presiding officer of Aurolodge of Masons, King Solomon's chapter, Mount Zion commandery, Gamaliel Washburn lodge of Perfection. Mount Calvary council. Delta chapter Rose Croix and Vermont Consistory, was a 32d degree Scottish Rite Mason, a member of the G. A.

and Apollo club. In politics he was a Republican. For 23 years Mr. Washburn was an accountant in the Vermont Mutual Fire Insurance company's office, for several years in a like position with the United States Clothespin company and for a number of years was an accountant for the Lane Manufacturing company, which work he gave up four years ago. He is survived by his wife, Emma V.

Washburn, two sons, Walter C. burn Montpelier and J. Ellerton Washburn of Attleboro, and one daughter, Hildra, of Bronxville, N. also a brother, Dr. George C.

Washburn of Waterbury and a sister, Mrs. D. S. Wheatley of Montpelier. Funeral arrangements have not yet been completed.

DIED IN BERLIN. William Blanchard, Aged 50, Had Been Ill a Week. William Blanchard, a well known farmer of Berlin, died at the home of his brother, Charles Blanchard, near Berlin pond, this morning. The end followed an illness of 8 week in which the deceased suffered an attack of bronchitis grip which was complicated latterly and, heart trouble. Besides the brother with whom he resided he leaves two brothers, John Blanchard Waterbury and Fred Blanchard of Northfield, and a sister, Mrs.

George Lavine of Williamstown. He was born in Sciota, N. and observed his 50th birthday anniversary last November. He had been a resident of Berlin for the past 20 years. Arrangements for the funeral are to be announced later.

Montpelier's S. A. Drive. The Montpelier drive for the Salvation Army war fund had reached $460 to-day. CITIZENS' CAUCUS TO-NIGHT.

Barre Voters Will Nominate Candidates for Municipal Offices. To-night at city hall the voters of Barre will assemble in caucus to nominate candidates for the offices of mayor, city clerk and treasurer, first and second constables, three directors of French's Barre library, three auditors, and an assessor. The caucus is called for 7:30 o'clock. There is much uncertainty about the meeting, and for the first time in many years it is possible that a large number of citizens will enter the caucus without they having shall made dean For their the minds as to what mayoralty only one avowed candidate has appeared. is Mayor Glysson and the chances favor his nomination.

It is said that a dark horse or two is being groomed, there is talk, in addition, of nominating Alderman C. H. Reynolds, who has withdrawn as a candidate for re-election in ward 4. That James Mackay will receive the nomination as clerk and treasurer almost goes without saying. George L.

Morris undoubtedly will stand as the citizens' candidate for the office of first constable. Historic differences between George Parks and a well known North Barre aspirant have not been adjusted, according to hearsay, a spirited contest may develop when the time comes for nominating a candidate for second constable. No one seems to be interested in the auditing of French's Barre library directorate. Six men, in these connections, are quite sure of being nominated. A contest may develop when it comes to nominating an assessor for three years.

Martin Riley, who has served as a member of the board for some years, seeks the nomination. T. J. Denning, who was a candidate last A. L.

Noyes, is one of the mentionees and is reported to have developed a good deal of strength, although he has not announced his candidacy. There were surface simmerings to-day in the political pots or three wards where aldermen are to be nominated night. Alexander Duncan has announced his be candidate in ward 2. Alderman' J. A.

a Healy is a candidate for re-election, and the name of Alexander Young is suggested. Down in ward 4 the lines are drawn between two avowed candidates, Duncan McMillan, and Charles Gallagher. Over in the 6th ward Alderman Henry Alexander looms up as a formidable candidate and thus far no one has entered the lists against him. THREE GERMAN ALIENS Registered in Barre--Two Have Brothers in German Army. German aliens may no longer register through the usual channels, as the time for receiving registrations at police headquarters expired last night.

To-day Chief Samuel Sinclair, who served as chief registrar for Barre, was preparing to mail his returns to the office of the attorney general in Washington. In this city only three German aliens registered. The finger and thumb prints of all three were taken, in accordance with the requirements on the blank, and to each set of papers was attached a photograph of the registrant. The chief registrar will retain one copy, a second goes to the United States marshal, and a third is mailed to attorney general. Herman Scherling of 24 Webster street was the to register.

He is known in Barre by the name of Harry Smith and has resided here five years, although he came to America in 1893. He Mr. has is applied for citizenship Smith 58 years old and a granite polisher by trade. He is a native of Danzig, Germany, and has no immediate relatives in all army fighting against the United States. Carl Heinrich, Low of 28 Pearl street registered as native of Bonbaden, Germany.

He is a painter by trade and has been in America six years, having resided here for two years. He has a brother in the German army. Low is 28 years old. Anton Bohm, aged 25, is a granite cutter and a native of Hamburg, Germany. He has been in America for the past eight years and has resided in Barre for some little time.

Two brothers of the registrant are in the army. HEDDING CHURCH GROWING. Good Reports Submitted at Quarterly Conference Last Evening. The Hedding Methodist Episcopal church has had a prosperous year. At least 25 are to be received into church membership in full probation.

Five have been received from certificate. The losses have been three by death and one by transfer of membership. A notable increase has been achieved in contributions to both local and benevolent budgets. The Sunday school is doing splendid work. New class organizations are increasing the interest and attendance.

The young women's class, the "Netop," has pledged to the Armenian and Syrian relief the sum of $5 a month for six months. The entire school has contributed $93 to this fund. The Methodist North Barre mission was never so prosperous as now. One hundred are often in attendance at the Sunday school. One hundred and twenty-seven boys and girls are in industrial classes.

The boy scouts and campfire girls are booming with interest and varied activities. The finances of all the organizations in both the Hedding church and the mission are in splendid condition. The fourth quarterly conference, which met last night, with Dr. William Shaw presiding, voted unanimously for the return of the pastor, Rev. Bailey Gatzert Lipsky.

100 MEN ENROLLED. In the Federal Shipbuilding Reserve Force. The enrollment of men for shipbuilding is beginning to pick up in the office of R. W. Simonds, who has charge of that work for Vermont.

Mr. Simonds has received about 100 enrollments, but he has a large number of applications for enrollment cards. Gov. Graham and J. G.

Brown, secretary of the public safety committee, also receiving applications. These are turned over to Mr. Simonds. The county committee are slow in making their report, so that probably when these reach Mr. Simonds the number will be materially increased.

In a few industrial centers southern part of the state discouragement sorted to, but those living in that comation munity is have the been government's advised that, in this matter and they will be expected to cooperate. BARRE IS TOLD TO SAVE MONEY CECIL SPRING-RICE DIED AT OTTAWA Former British Ambassador to the United States Passed Away from Heart Failure. Ottawa, Feb. Cecil SpringRice, former British ambassador to the United States, died at 1 o'clock this morning heart failure at Government house. Lady Spring -Rice and his son and daughter, Anthony and Betty, aged nine and eleven, respectively, were with him.

WASHINGTON SHOCKED. By News of Spring- Rice's Death as It Was Not Known He Was Ill. Washington, D. Feb. Washington was shocked to-day by news of the sudden death of Sir Cecil Arthur Spring Rice at Ottawa.

He retired early last month in favor of Lord Reading, after nearly five years' service as British ambassador here. No intimation was given when he left Washington that he was in ill health. He had been under a tremendous strain from responsibilities of his position. His work during the early part of the war was regarded as an unusual achievement. SUSPICIOUS OF TROTZKY Germans are Unwilling to Continue Relations with Russia on Any Basis Unless Russia Signs Peace Treaty.

Amsterdam, Feb. from the latest indications in the German press, much dissatisfaction and suspicion has been aroused by the latest move of the Russian foreign minister, Trotzky. Important political and military leaders are said to be conferring to find the best solution to the puzzle. A Berlin telegram to a Cologne paper says the government is not willing to continue relations with Russia on any basis unless the present Russian government signs a regular peace treaty. A Berlin paper says there are proofs that Trotzky's promise of Russian demobilization is a sham.

OVERCOATS TOO LONG. American Soldiers Cut Them Off and Made Gloves of Pieces. With the American Army in France, Feb. 14 (Correspondence of the Associated army truck drivers have found a use for the strips of heavy khaki cloth cut from the bottoms of soldiers' overcoats. One of the drivers discovered that mittens of extraordinary warmth could be made from the cloth and now nearly every driver of a motor truck or automobile is wearing a pair or has determined to make himself some the first time he has a spare 10 minutes.

Many units of the army in France discovered that the regulation overcoats were too long when first they donned them. The bottoms, becoming soaked with rain or caked with mud, flopped about the legs of the men and made the garment a burden. Some soldiers discarded their overcoats whenever it was possible for them to and many colds or other ailments resulted. The one entire division--a newly landed organization of former national guardsmen- suddenly appeared with coats that reached to the knee or an inch above it. The old coats were exchanged by their owners for the new ones in response to an order signed by the general commanding.

About the same time soldiers in other divisions cut their coats off themselves or had them trimmed down. Some men who were among the first division to enter the trenches clipped the objectionable bottoms with knives. In a trench an overcoat that strikes the ankles, drags in the mud and water and is nearly as bad as no coat at all. The practice of cutting off overcoats now has become general through the zone of the American army and a garment of the length usually seen in the United States rapidly is coming to be regarded as a sort of a curiosity over here. All this shearing, of course, left 89 many strips of cloth as short coats.

There was nothing to do with the pieces. Many a boot was polished with khaki. An army motor truck driver leads a cold life. For many hours a day he sits exposed on the front of his machine. often spinning along at a rate that would cause an epidemic of heart disease in the traffic squad of any American police department.

The drivers manage to keep fairly comfortable, sometimes wearing three suits of heavy woolen underclothes. The chief complaint has been that they could not keep their hands warm and many have been known to stop their machines in the road and toast their fingers at the exhaust pipe. Then a driver with a pair of seissors, needle, thread and a good imagination cut four shapes from an overcoat bottom, sewed them together in pairs and found that by wearing the mittens over the regulation knitted gloves his hands remained warm even in the coldest weather. SUPREME COURT ADJOURNS. Will Meet at Brattleboro Next Tuesday for Special Session.

The February term of Vermont supreme court at Montpelier adjourned today and will meet at Brattleboro for a special term next Tuesday. None of the state cases was disposed of at this term. The last. case submitted was that of L. Kommell Son vs.

the Champlain Transportaiton Max L. Powell arguing for the plaintiff. The defendant's case will be submitted on briefs. A Washington county case was also argued this mornit being that of A. T.

Davis vs. Union Meetinghouse society and others. This case is over a right of way across land over which the plaintiff's father had traveled for many years, said land now being owned by the defendants. State Fuel Administrator Jones Also Urges Ct ting Wood GRANITE SHIPME MAY BE HI SO UP Supply of Soft Co: lay Be Much Lessened Another Year SUBMARINES GETTING MORE MERCHANTMEN They Accounted for 19 British Vessels Last Week, 13 Being Over 1600 Tons Capacity. Feb.

British merchantmen were sunk by mine or submarine during the past week, according to an admiralty statement. Thirteen were of 1600 tons or more and six were under that. Three fishing craft were also sunk. The loss shows a considerable increase over the previous week, which totalled 15, UNUSUAL ITALIAN LOSS. Four Steamers of More Than 1600 Tons Sunk Last Week.

Rome. Feb. 14. -Four Italian steamers of more than 1600 tons were sunk by mine or submarine during the week, according to an official announcement. DEBATE ON PEACE IN THE REICHSTAG Has Been Set for Feb.

21 and German Chancellor Will Reply to Entente Officials. London, Feb. important peace debate will begin in the German Reichstag Feb. 21, according to a wireless dispatch from Amsterdam. Chancellor Von Hertling will discuss the treaty.

with the Ukraine and reply to President Wilson, Premier Lloyd George and Premier Orlando. KING OFFERS PALACE FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES Balmoral Castle as Hospital for Wounded Soldiers and Buckingham and Kensington for Offices. London, Feb. George, the Daily News says, has offered Balmoral castle for wounded soldiers and Buckingham and Kensington palaces for public offices. The government has not yet taken any action on the offer.

VILLA'S FORCES REDUCED. From 2500 to 500 Because of Malaria Outbreak. El Paso. Feb. Villa's forces have been reduced by malaria other causes, in the course of operations on the isthmus of Tehauntepee, from 2,500 men to 500 men, according to letters received from General Fortunate Mayotte at one time operhere.

ated against Villa in the states of Durango and Chihuahua. At present the 500 survivors are said to be stationed at Puerto, Mexico. MAJ. GEN. ROBERTSON TO RETAIN HIS OFFICE Will Be Chief of the British Imperial Staff, with the Full Approval of the War Cabinet.

London, Feb. Robertson, the Daily Chronicle on its own information, will remain declares, of the imperial staff, with the full approval and confidence of the war cabinet. Major-General Wilson, sub-chief, will continue to be the principal British representative at Versailles. TWO ANCIENT LETTERS One By Thomas Jefferson and the Other By Lafayette. London, Feb.

letters, one written by Thomas Jefferson and dated Monticello, April 17, 1821, and the other by General Lafayette and dated Lagrange, June 28, 1827, have been presented to Consul General Skinner in London as a gift to the American government. The was H. B. Gross, a Philadelphia manufacturer, who until recently had a home here. The first concerns certain books which the correpondent recommended to Jefferson and which he declared he was endeavoring to obtain, while the letter written by Lafayette speaks of the invention of beehive and of his interest in agricultural development generally.

There is to disclose the identity of the persons to whom the letters were addressed. KEEPING SOCIALISM OUT. Germany Forbids Army to Read Socialistic Literature. Amsterdam, Feb. -That the German government is taking every possible precaution to prevent the spread of Socialistic propaganda in the army is shown by the following telegram from Cologne: "The governor of Cologne has issued an order forbidding soldiers to join any political committees.

Soldiers are further warned, on penalty of imprisonment, against reading any Socialist or radical pamphlets or newspapers, particularly a recent publication entitled 'Social Demoeracy and the Field Reduce taxation and economize, or go under! In other words, curb your present pace, use the pruning hook till it is worn to a dull edge, cut corners and pare expenses to the bone. That was the meat of the rather startling message which the state fuel administrator, H. J. M. Jones, brought to the city council at a special meeting yesterday afternoon.

The government is not bucking nonessential industries, said Mr. Jones in his informal remarks before the council, but if the need is actually imperative the non -essential industries must be saerificed for the duration of the war. The state administrator had a word of comfort for domestic fuel users, for he said that hard coal in sufficient quantities to keep the population warm would be forthcoming, although he continually stressed the necessity of relying very largely upon wood, of cutting wood, and yet inore wood. As for soft coal--his story had a different ring. The council listened.

If it has failed to heed in the fiscal year closing the cry of economy that is growing louder and louder as election approaches, it lent a listening ear to the revealing remarks of the fuel administrator, and while much of the money that should have been husbanded against the coming crisis, maybe, has been squandered, the hard, cold facts as presented by the speaker undeniably had a sobering effect on the little group of men who constitute the government. Mr. Jones prefaced his remarks with a review of the circumstances leading up to the present coal shortage. He told of his own experiences as a member of the New England coal committee. He told of conditions which made the so-called Garfield Mondays and the five-day suspension as well absolutely imperative.

There are plenty of cars, but there is a lack of motive power. While many ship bottoms ordinarily used for coal transportation have been diverted to other useful channels, he said, the prime need is of locomotives. The state administrator spoke of freight embargoes and referred to their effect on the local industry. The nation's first need is to get men, munitions and other supplies tO France and while that need is being met less essential things must wait. When coal begins to move it will go to the essential industries and there again the non -essentials must wait.

The speaker summarized his remarks by saying that between threatening coal embargoes and a shortage of coal that may grow more instead of less acute, Barre is facing critical period. your tax rate down. was the warning, and in this connection Mr. Jones said that every expenditure that is not wholly necessary should be eliminated. He feared that much of the finished work in the granite industry might not be shipped from Barre until after April 1 and that the producers would, therefore, have to pay taxes on the output.

Practically everyone is directly or indirectly dependent upon the industry and the need for economy is more vital than ever before. Apparently Mr. Jones was unaware that the budget for the coming year had been made up and his surprise was not disguised when he was told that the tax rate would be larger than last year. He asked the reason and Alderman Healy said that it was due wholly to state taxes. The latter went on to say that the rate, so far as city expenses are concerned, would be lower than last year, matter of $2.30, adding that, the 40 cents extra would be levied for state taxes.

Even with the $2.70 rate, members of the council explained, expenditures would have to be carefully scrutinized. No mention was made of an impending increase in school taxes or of unforeseen contingencies. Turning to the discussion of wood, Jones gave voice to his oft iterated plea for more wood cutting. He said that Barre had not known, in the present winter, any of the suffering visited upon communities right here in Vermont, to say nothing of larger cities and towns. That this was true, he continued, was due to the commendable activity of a local coal dealer in getting together large quantities of coal last summer.

Vermont. as compared with other states east. of the Mississippi, was peculiarly favored with coal this winter, and the chances are that this state will not find the going so easy next winter. So the administrator talked about wood. He advised the council to go into the wood business at once, and when it was explained that the charter prevented the he municipality expressed from the operating opinion a that wood- the yard, city government might make shift to eircumvent the charter obligation in some way.

asked by Alderman Alexander whether he would advise an extra tax of 10 or 20 cents to set the city up in the wood business. Evidently Mr. Jones had not. gotten over his surprise on the tax question, for he quickly answered the question by suggesting a loan. It.

was explained that money cannot be borrowed for a longer period than three months at this time. However, the administrator thought that the city's plain duty is to accumulate wood, and toward the close of the meeting he said that Barre's future in the next year or two depended largely the ability of those in authority to upon exercise economy, constructive economy of the kind that means actual saving, and to do its part in relieving, the coal strain by using wood. a real crisis, with the city's real industry at stake, he thought that a good showing in procuring enough coal transportaalong the lines prescribed micht. help out I Ition in a measure sufficient to keep the industry from becoming paralyzed..