Page 4The Journal Opinion-July 21, i982
)RTHEAST PUBLISHi N(; COMPANY, inc.
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Robert F. Huminski
President & Publisher
An Independent Newspaper
Editorial
Questions on judicial policy
In the discussion of law there will
probably always be a question over
when to impose the maximum sen-
tence allowed under the law and what
conditions shd_d predetermine a
minimum sentence. There may also
be continuing debate as to whether a
sentence should be aimed as a
deterrent or as a ptmishment, or both.
This week we raise these questions
for a number of reasons. The first
reason is because of the debate
stirred last week OVer the sentencing
of Louis Hamlin III to a 45 year
mira'mum sentence.
that decision, two of the three
judges pronouncing the sentence
over-ruled a third judge who favored
a lower minimum sentence of 35
years. The judges favoring the har-
sher sentences were lay-judges or
elected judge, who may have no
formal legal traAng under Vermont
The reason
subject of sentencing as a deterrent is
because of last weekend's brutal
murder in Barre of an 18-year old girl.
This most recent murder adds an
urgency to the debate.
We in no way imply that the above
two events are connected.
At issue in the Ham]in sentence is
the following question: what kinds of
hienous and vile acts must one carry
out to obtain a straight maximum
sentence? Louis Hamlin was a
teenager (probably a determining
factor in the minimum sentence)
when be and James Savage com-
mitted the most degrading and tor-
turous of acts on two innocent 12-year
old girls in Essex Junction -- leaving
one dead and the other with the
nightmare of her experience. Hamlin
could he released at the age of 52.
Unfortunately, we don't have an
answer but we may have spotted a
problem.
The murder in Barre raises the
question of whether or not the policies
of our State's judicial system, through
the sentencing of criminals in murder
and aggravated rape cases, are
providing an effective enough
deterrent to the mbrally deranged
individuals who chose to commit
these types of crimes, legaUy sane
andunder their own frw will.
The problem has not been created
in the courts. The frequency of
murder and rape cases is not caused
by the judiciul system itself but by the
society in which it has been deemed to
perform under our constitution.
However, one has to wonder if
Vermont's judicial policy is
adequately following its society on a
parallel plane in the instances of
violent crimes.
Letters to the Editor_J
Communities greatest assets
To the Editor:
My heartfelt thanks for the
fine article about the Wood-
sville fire on page I of your
July 14th edition. Two of the
community's greatest assets,
the Fire Departments and
local hospital, gained
recognition for doing that
which they are there b do. Too
often these valuable serwces
are taken for granted, ignored
or berated for their costs.
Your fine coverage and
accurate reporting not only
makes good news. but
demonstrates positive support
for those who serve their
community.
For Cottage Hospital and
the local fire departments
Edward A. Loranger
Woodsville
Outstandine lob
ambulance volunteers
To the Editor:
I am sending the below
letter from Dr. Frechette in
order to give credit to the
Ambulance Volunteers for the
work they did at the fire in
Woodsville on July 7.
In the hour and a half bet-
ween 6:30 and 8:00 p.m.. these
volunteers treated and
transported 13 firemen to
Cottage Hospital. The duty
crew for that shift was Sandi
lngerson, Theresa Belyea and
Michelle Demers.
Also responding were
Harold Taylor, Jr., Don
Stapelfeld, Peter Gould,
Brenda White and Doris
Kennedy, thus avoiding the
need for us to send out a
general alert.
We also had help at the
scene for several of the
hospital staff, some of the
Lisbon Life and Piermont
FAST Squads, as well as
several bystanders and
firemen.
I commend all of these
volunteers for doing such a
fine job keeping track of the
vital signs for each fireman
and treating them at the
scene. I remind you that these
trained volunteers (many
were trained by the Haverhill
Chapter of the Red Cross at no
charge) work many hours a
month without pay and
deserve recognition for their
good work just as our out-
standing firemen do.
Dick Guy
Dick Guy, President
Cottage Hospital Ambulance
Service
Cottage Hospital
Woodsville, N.H. 03785
Dear Dick:
f would like to commend the
Cottage Hospital Ambulance
Squad for the job they did at
the recent fire in handling a
large number of firemen with
heat exhaustion. Treatment in
Rules should
be upheld
To (he Editor:
Doug Emerson's letter in
your July 14 issue has
prompted me to write.
Doug, there are a great
many racing fans who share
your views. I have been at-
tending the races at Bear
Ridge Raceway for several
years and I have been ap-
palled at some of the incidents
that we have had to witness.
It is incredible that week
after week we are not allowed
to watch good dirt track
racing due to a few "hot-
heads" who push, shove and
are poor sports in general.
(Chuck, Danny & Clayton, you
are at the top of the list).
The rules should be upheld
at all times and we should not
have to watch favoritism
shown.
Thanks, to you drivers who
drive a good clean race -- it
must be discouraging to you
fellows to put up with what you
have to week after week.
Marvin Lewis
Washington, Vt.
Tufts or Jeffords
.for the House?
the field was done so well that To the Editor:
there was very little for us to The Vermont Democrats
do in the Emergency Room may well have a sort of
when the patients arrived. I delayed-action "primary" for
also was impressed with how Congressman this year, when
smoothly things went.
David K. Frechette, M.D.
Woodsville/ff/ells River
Fourth of July., 1983
To the Editor:
At this time, I would like to
thank each and every person
who participated in any way in
the 1982 Fourth of July
Celebration, whether as a
spectator, participant, worker
or committee person. We
appreciate it.
The Woodsville Area Fourth
of July Committee. Inc. was
formed under the laws and
regulations of the State of New
a.m. on July 4, 1983. We have
already requested par-
ticipation of some parade
units for this occasion. We
realize some improvements
can be made in the years
ahead, as we learn from our
mistakes, and we hope these
improvements can be made
without charge to the spec-
ta tor.
The Committee will be
meeting each month from now
Hampshire and the charter is until next year. making plans
filed with e Seclrery for the 19a3 celebration, If you
tate. It is a comunt * wouldlik'*tb' pdrticie in
deavor created by a group of any way next year. or can give
interested local people for the the committee a lead as to a
intent and purpose of
celebrating the Fourth of July,
and is a non-profit
organization. All expenses
have been paid for by funds
raised by sponsors of our
souvemr brochure and the
raffle ticket donations, as well
as contributions by par-
ticipating vendors.
Our 1983 celebration will
start with a parade at 11:00
prospective unit, idea or
person, we do welcome
suggestions.
Anyway, thanks again to
everyone. I appreciate the
opportunity to have served on
this committee.
Stewart Leete
S. Ryegate
Fourth of July
Parade Chairman
Common carrier pipelines sought by producers
/ by JOHN C. BROMLEY
Mr. Bromley is a Denver.based freelance
Journalist and a .former director of
Research for the Office of the Governor of
Colorado.
(€) i. SSand/IVS2
Very few price increases perturb the
American consumer as much as does the
rising price of natural gas, the commodity
upon which both home heating and the
American industrial and office sectors
d d
eor years, alarmed by consumption-
conscious public officials who have
de, handed that thermostats be turned
down in offices and restaurants,
homeowners -- by now shivering a little --
wait their turn. It is only a matter of time,
they feel, government, perhaps
prodded to urgency by a shutoff of the one-
third of American natural gas which is
imported, t0rns therrdoatats down at
home, leaving the general population to
huddle in their warmest clotbes against an
electric oven.
Nor are such visions apocalyptic. The
ot, as well as the demand curve, of
natural gas has risen enormously. The gas
which was once a waste product, flared off
in the oil fields of yore, is now a precious
commodity in an industry with $47 billion
in total fixed costs,
And, witb new potential for profit, as.
well as a stable, rising demand for gas,
independent producers of natural gas have
atarted a small war against the industry
giants, the trammission companies
through whe pipelines flow the gas
bought by local utilities for home con-
sumption. rough the efforts of members
of a p of independent gas rs
called the Ammciatien for Equal Access to
Natural Gas Markets and Suppli, in.
depadents are addressing themselves to
the needs of both the producer and the
consumer.
Led by, among others, Dave Wilson of
Consolidated Oil and Gas and Bob Kadane
of KRM Petroleum, both Colorado-based
independent producers with broad in-
stretehi from Louisiana to
California, the members of Equal Accs
hope to break the trammiuion companies'
present stranglehold on the market.
NotAng the federal control of the gas
market since 1933, a cycle only recently
days, or sell his new well, usually to the
same transmission company that refused
him access to the pipeline,
In order to remedy this situation, Equal
Access proposes amending the Natural
Gas Act so that natural gas transmission
pipelines are made common carriers. The
designation of pipelines as common
carriers -- entities with rights of con-
demnation and eminent domain, but
required to carry everybody's product-
was achieved in the crude oil market as
early as 1911, when the Rockefeller Trust
was broken.
Only in this way, argue members m
Equal Access, does incentive arise to bring
the consumer the least, instead of the most
expensive gas. For common carriers,
whether railroads or pipelines, are per-
mitted to charge only a common tariff
fixed by law for commodity tran-
" sportation, regardless of ownership.
With common carrier status for
pipelines, natural gas would enter the free
market for the first time since controls
were instituted in 1933, for producers -- in
the absence of controlled prices as well --
could negotiate directly with consumers,
i.e., the local utility and its ratepayers.
In contrast, as things stand now both
consumers and producers are captives of
the pipeline owners, to whom the producer
must sell, and sell without negotiation.
Equal Access contends that the
geographic dislocation of the market --
New York gas drilled in Mississippi, for
instance -- will pobably correct itself
when independents can negotiate to satisfy
demand from the nearest supply. And the
opening of California and New Mexico
wells ought to reduce gas costs to the
people of.San Francisco, even as the price
of natural gas is progressively decon-
trolled. San Franciscans, says Wilson,
"now pay for gas at double the average
domestic price."
Kadane and Wilson, both veterans of the
oil and gas price wars of the 1970s, hope for
constructive change through their goal of
equal access for all producers to natural
gas pipelines. For instance, they see,
within a year, a 25 percent increase in the
amount of natural gas drilled- awin-
crease which would cut current imports in
half.
"All we ask," says Wilson "is a
genuinely national, competitive market."
reversed by the Congress and the Reagan
administration, these producers claim
that the changes they propose will bring
about a competitive and national natural
gas market.
The market dislocation of which Equal
Access members complain is the product
of the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 by
which transmission companies -- the
owners of natural gas pipelines -- are
permitted to establish their own whooly-
owned exploration and development
subsidiaries. It is from these subsidiaries
that parent companies buy the most ex-
pensive gasses, ensured by law that they
can pass both development costs and
transmission expenses on to the
beleagured consumer. In turn, while
bringing high-cost Alakan ($12.00 per
Metric Cubic Foot), Canadian or Mexican
gas ($4.94 per MCF) to consumers, the
transmission companies pass up, and
effectively close off, domestic suppliers of
gas (whose product costs an average of
$2,00 per MCF.) This infuriates in-
dependent producers, who do not have
access to pipeline as a matter of right.
According to Kadane and Wilson, tran-
smission companies are engaging in "a
monopolistic pactice which impoverishes
consuIIlers. ' '
Wilson uses the example of the
California supplier, Pacific Gas and
Electric, which has formed a company
called Alberta and Southern as a wholly
owned subsidiary. In the periods of light
gas demand, such as summer and fall, the
independents charge that Pacific Gas and
Electric packs its lines with Alberta and
Southern gas, effectively closing gas wells
both in California and New Mexico which
would, if PG&E would buy on an open
market, sell for less than Alberta and
Southern's prices. But cheaper gas means
PG&E gets a lesser percentage for
carrying it.
Not only is the consumer gouged by the
present market system, says Equal
Access President Wilson, but the producer
"is like,the slave Iove Emancipation,"
For the producer, a parson who drills wells
but owns no pipeline, is forced by the
current system to beg access to the
nearest pipeline and thence to market -- a
request which may well be refused. Aad if
it is refused, the producer has no recourse
other than to cap his well in holms of better
Democrat Kaplan may con-
front "Democrat" Jeffords in
the November elections --
unless challenger Tufts,
conservative Republican,
defeats "Republican" Jef-
fords in the September
primaries.
Jeffords has a long and
consistent voting record-- one
that shows him up as more
Democrat than many avowed
Democrats. Not enough
Vermont voters realize this.
Kaplan, of course, barring a
Tufts defeat in September, has
no chance against Jeffords.
For him to disagree with
major positions taken by
Jeffords would be to disagree
with his own party.
Jeffords, of course, like
Stafford, has been "all heart"
-- favoring all manner of
social programs but delicately
declining to increase general
taxes to pay for them. On the
contrary, he has resorted to
printing press "dollars"
inflation) thus so debilitating
that "dollar" that ordinary
people are unable to save
against their own exigencies
and so are obliged to turn to
the federal government for
help. Example: Jeffords and
Stafford, by debilitating the
"dollar", make it impossible
for parents to save for a
child's college education,
then, "all heart", vote for big
federal aid college programs.
William Tufts, an aware,
well educated, energetic
young man, moved to a
somewhat remote hill farm in
Bethel several years ago with
negligible economic resources
but outstanding deter-
mination, did his own house
building and work, entered the
iusurance field, became top
agent for a top firm. He
worked hard to persuade
someone else to take on
"Democrat" Jeffords; when
no one else volunteered, he
did. (Forget about the unusual
hat and boots, worn for
"recognition" purposes, and
references to movie stars.
Both are political ploys and
unnecessary. Even his ex-
cursions in morality, though
pertinent to the times, have no
particular bearing on the
major governmental issues
facing the next Congress. )
As new man in the House, of
course, he will lack the
seniority -- which Jeffords
has put to such poor use. He
will lack the kind of legal
training which enables
Jeffords to talk so per.
suasively out of both sides of
his mouth. He will lack the
political vote-trading debts to
other House members and
funding debts to powerful
political action committees
which so bedevil so many
long-time House members.
Jeffords, by his record, has
proven his dedication to a
liberal, let-government-do-it-
a nd-make-the-savers-pay-for.
it (inflation) philosophy.
Tufts, whose philosophical
convictions center on home
rule, individual responsibility,
limited federal government
and an honest currency,
should serve Vermont well.
He will be hampered, of
course, by the kind of cam-
paign funds Jeffords receives
from various political action
committees, mostly from out-
of-state. He will have to try to
match whatever Jeffords
chooses to spend. He could use
some help
Herbert G. Ogden
Hartland, Vt.
The Chalmers and Mills
There were various skills
and trades represented in the
Chalmers and Mills families,
but between them they had
more than the usual number of
designers and builders of
houses.
Willia m Chalmers family
William Chalmers. a flax-
dresser, came from Scotland
to Newbury in 1834. He made
plans for establishing a fac-
tory in Corinth for the
manufacture of thread and
cordage rope), and ordered
machinery for the mill from
Scotland -- but because of
tariff problems, it was ten
years befor it was delivered.
Finally Mr. Chalmers was
able to set up his factory, in
connection with a Dr. Hin-
ckley (probably Israel Hin-
ckley) of Corinth. This was
later owned and operated by
Barnes Brothers. (According
to the Corinth history, Major
Joel Barnes, a Civil War
veteran, operated a rope and
thread factory at Goose
Green. )
Wi]ham Chalmers had
eight sons, of whom seven.
were carpenters, and two of
these were also architects.
William's son George worked
in Boston as a carpenter until
the gold rush, then in 1850
went to California, where he
designed and built a large
number of houses. Carpenters
were so scarce out there at
that time that he earned ten
dollars a day -- a huge sum in
those days. George also owned
and operated ,a large cattle
ranch there in partnership
with his brother Alexander
Alexander later returned
to Vermont and built a mill for
sawing and finishiug.lumber,
also worked as a contractor
and builder. He and another
brother, Robert, built a house
for their parents (off the Sand
Road, house No. 30 on the map
following page 253 in the 1977
History of Newbury). A
description of the house says
that it "shows its architecture,
with a cupola, arch top
openings, and unusual siding
made of pieces of thin board
applied onto the boards." t The"
present owner is Terrence
Maitland.
Robert started working
with Alexander as a carpenter
at age 15. Before he was 20
years old, he had complete
charge of a sawmill in
Lawrence, Massachusetts.
When he was 20. he and his
brother William Jr. went to
Jackson, Mississippi, where
they designed and erected the
buildings for a plantation, also
a church. Returning to
Newbury, they engaged in the
lumber business, building a
sawmill in which they used the
first circular saw in the town
of Newbury. They also raised
fine horses. Their partnership
lasted for 18 years, then in 1872
Robert went to California. He
stayed there two years, then
worked for five years "in
Lowell, Mass., designing and
building several blocks and
residences. In 1879 he
returned to the homestead in
Newbury, where he continued
his work of drafting plans and
preparing specifications for
public and private buildings.
It was considered that as a
worker in wood, he had few
equals.
Four more brothers
worked as carpenters: John
built several houses in
Newbury, then in 1864, he and
James had charge of a gang of
men erecting a hospital in
Washington, D.C. They also
built houses in Springfield and
Lowell, Mass., and business
blocks and the high school
building in Lowell. Brother
Albert also worked with them
in Lowell.
Meanwhile, William Jr.
continued farming at the
homestead and running his
sawmill, •later with the help of
the youngest brother. Henry.
Memorable trip to England
To the Editor : wended our way to our final
Little did we know, as we destination, Harlow, England
left Wells River on July 21, the
North Country Chorus and
appendages, the adventure
that was ahead.
Bill Eastman, president of
the North Country Chorus, had
arranged a singing tour of
England and Wales. He had
visited in the spring to verify
the towns and halls where the
chorus was to sing.
We traveled to Boston to
board a 747 from Logan to
Heathrow Airport in London,
arriving at 8:00 a.m. June 22
-- London time. Upon arrival
we were picked up by two
buses with marvelous drivers
from Manchester, England,
George and Archie.
The adventure began; on to
Stratford-On.Avon and then to
Coventry Cathedral for the
first concert where the chorus
sang Faure's Requiem at
noon. Mter touring a bit the
adventure took us to Stuckton-
on-Tees in the northern part of
England. The people there
accepted us with open arms
and presented us with a
luscious meal upon arrival.
Mter a concert in the evening
and two nights there, we left
for Manchester. As we waved
goodbye to the city members
and chorus members and
families, we knew a very
special friendship had been
kindled.
Our entrance into the
Manchester Town Hall was an
unforgetable experience.
Town officials were waiting to
escort us to the grand banquet
room for a scrumptious
dinner. After a whirlwind
concert including the chorus
and the Wind Band of Man-
'chester, we crawled to our
accommodations for the night.
Bright and early the next
morning we were on our way
to Llandudno, Wales and an
11:0o a.m. service at St.
John's Methodist Church.
There the chorus raised the
rafters with song to a
congregation of 600 or more.
At the end the parish en-
tertained us with a very good
meal.
A little weary we returned to
Manchester to have a short
night's sleep preparing to
venture on to Heroford in the
morning for a concert for the
school children at the Shire
Hall at 2:30 in the afternoon.
After another concert at 7:00
p.m., we retired to our private
homes.
Between the concerts we
were able to enjoy this lovely
city and get to know the flavor
Of the English people. As we
and the biggest concert, "The
Dream of Gerontius", we
were able to see a great deal of
the English countryside and
its history. In our tour we
absorbed, Bath, Cambridge,
Stonehenge, Salisbury,
Banbury, York just to mention
a few.
On July fifth, after being
royally entertained by the
Harlow "luvs", we waved and
sang goodbye as our
memorable adventure of
England came to a close.
It was a beautiful trip. The
people of England welcomed
us with open arms and we
made so many delightful
friends. It will be a trip long
remembered by each one of
us, as Ameribans left their
mark on the British and the
English left their mark on the
Americans.
Our special thanks and
warmest feeling go to Bill
Eastman, Mary Rowe,
Director, and Katrina Munn,
our pianist, and Michael
Kibblewhite of Harlow.
England, conductor.
Thank you, North Country
Chorus.
Jeanne Holmes
Member af the
North Country Chorus
New Hampshire
aviators awarded
Air Medals
CONCORD-- Maj. Gen.
Joseph L. Fant, Deputy First
United States Army Com-
mander, Ft. Deveas, Ma., will
join Governor Hugh J. Gallen
as he awards the Air Medal to
four New Hampshire Army
National Guard aviators on
Sunday, July 25.
Captain John Weedcn of
Hooksett; Chief Warrant
Officer Ronald Boyle of
Londonderry; Staff Sgt.
Waiter Lessard of Hooksett;
and Staff Sgt. James Holub of
London, all members of the
397th Medical Detachment
here, assisted in the rescue of
two Pennsylvania ice-
climbers on Mount
Washington last January.
The aviators were called to
state active duty on January
26, in the third day of the
search for Hugh Herr, 17, and
Jdfrey Batzer, 21. In spite of
the extreme weather con-
ditlons, sub-zero *tem-
peratures, deep snow and
( please turn to page 11
Elizabeth Miller of
remembers
grandmother to
Henry" on
Henry was the
family to live there,
death in 1929.
George Chal
George
younger brother
Sr., came to
Scotland four
settled on a farm
brother's
Lake. He ori
weaver, but
molder and
Strickland's iron
Bradford.
Of his sons,
was a lawyer,
minister, and
while
seminary.
William Wallace
was a
wheelwright
maker in
was the father
Chalmers of
builder and
houses. Robert's s
also a builder I
houses. Wayne'S
Cindy did much of
for the 1977 !
Newbary.
One of the
George
named Christian.
Philip C.
were the
of Elizabeth
ford.
John
According to
History of NewburY,
family of Topsha tn
from Robert Mills,
from
north of Ireland
and settled in
He had a son
grandson John
serving in the
Indian War
Revolution. He
original grantee
but settled in
(at the
Frank Brock last
John Mills vss
his abilit as a
of
present
1780. The ori
Mr. Mills built
small, but
has been greatly
enlarged, the roo
to add another
used to be
Davenport house,
1912 was owned
Brock, and later
Brock.
John Mills'
settled on the
(Judge Brock's
which he
Ben Porter for
Topsham. Before
Topsham,
for several yearS
just below the
known as 'the
house. ( Note:
time has
research on
houses. Any
additional
welcome. )
Archibald
with his
about 1818, to the
as the Wild
that goes north
Corinth - East
three miles from
line. His children
along that road.
Archibald
children,
William,
Calvin, Horace,
and Hiram. All
carpenters of rare
they probably
buildings in
any equal
Ac( to
formation
(known as
Arch Jr. took over
of the Cog
Washington
else started it,
as the ravine.
Jacob's Ladder
it,
They are alsO
built the
Newbury
the family
houses in 1
Chelsea, also
tWO, and
building of
Manchester, N
Archibald
Chalmers.
Sources:
Newbury (190'2
Ryegate (1912),
Corinth (1964) ;
County Gazetteer
Doris
Miller, G
andKim GraY.
Page 4The Journal Opinion-July 21, i982
)RTHEAST PUBLISHi N(; COMPANY, inc.
Publisher of
Journal I1 Opinion
WoeklT newOel idbked ia Ilredlwd. Vermut. $vbudpes ro - Vermt mul New Nempsktre - St.00
pr ycr; $6.1H} fr Idx ks; €! if I0 • S|t.00 Ir ¥r lind ST.00 fer siz nths; Senier citizen
dbceNt $2.N.
Sxlmd ci| ISlle IHdd o! |nldfecd, Vermont 0S0$|. Pwblildked by Nertkeelt Pbllskil Compeny, Inc.,
P.O. hx Sill. IImdfenl.
Robert F. Huminski
President & Publisher
An Independent Newspaper
Editorial
Questions on judicial policy
In the discussion of law there will
probably always be a question over
when to impose the maximum sen-
tence allowed under the law and what
conditions shd_d predetermine a
minimum sentence. There may also
be continuing debate as to whether a
sentence should be aimed as a
deterrent or as a ptmishment, or both.
This week we raise these questions
for a number of reasons. The first
reason is because of the debate
stirred last week OVer the sentencing
of Louis Hamlin III to a 45 year
mira'mum sentence.
that decision, two of the three
judges pronouncing the sentence
over-ruled a third judge who favored
a lower minimum sentence of 35
years. The judges favoring the har-
sher sentences were lay-judges or
elected judge, who may have no
formal legal traAng under Vermont
The reason
subject of sentencing as a deterrent is
because of last weekend's brutal
murder in Barre of an 18-year old girl.
This most recent murder adds an
urgency to the debate.
We in no way imply that the above
two events are connected.
At issue in the Ham]in sentence is
the following question: what kinds of
hienous and vile acts must one carry
out to obtain a straight maximum
sentence? Louis Hamlin was a
teenager (probably a determining
factor in the minimum sentence)
when be and James Savage com-
mitted the most degrading and tor-
turous of acts on two innocent 12-year
old girls in Essex Junction -- leaving
one dead and the other with the
nightmare of her experience. Hamlin
could he released at the age of 52.
Unfortunately, we don't have an
answer but we may have spotted a
problem.
The murder in Barre raises the
question of whether or not the policies
of our State's judicial system, through
the sentencing of criminals in murder
and aggravated rape cases, are
providing an effective enough
deterrent to the mbrally deranged
individuals who chose to commit
these types of crimes, legaUy sane
andunder their own frw will.
The problem has not been created
in the courts. The frequency of
murder and rape cases is not caused
by the judiciul system itself but by the
society in which it has been deemed to
perform under our constitution.
However, one has to wonder if
Vermont's judicial policy is
adequately following its society on a
parallel plane in the instances of
violent crimes.
Letters to the Editor_J
Communities greatest assets
To the Editor:
My heartfelt thanks for the
fine article about the Wood-
sville fire on page I of your
July 14th edition. Two of the
community's greatest assets,
the Fire Departments and
local hospital, gained
recognition for doing that
which they are there b do. Too
often these valuable serwces
are taken for granted, ignored
or berated for their costs.
Your fine coverage and
accurate reporting not only
makes good news. but
demonstrates positive support
for those who serve their
community.
For Cottage Hospital and
the local fire departments
Edward A. Loranger
Woodsville
Outstandine lob
ambulance volunteers
To the Editor:
I am sending the below
letter from Dr. Frechette in
order to give credit to the
Ambulance Volunteers for the
work they did at the fire in
Woodsville on July 7.
In the hour and a half bet-
ween 6:30 and 8:00 p.m.. these
volunteers treated and
transported 13 firemen to
Cottage Hospital. The duty
crew for that shift was Sandi
lngerson, Theresa Belyea and
Michelle Demers.
Also responding were
Harold Taylor, Jr., Don
Stapelfeld, Peter Gould,
Brenda White and Doris
Kennedy, thus avoiding the
need for us to send out a
general alert.
We also had help at the
scene for several of the
hospital staff, some of the
Lisbon Life and Piermont
FAST Squads, as well as
several bystanders and
firemen.
I commend all of these
volunteers for doing such a
fine job keeping track of the
vital signs for each fireman
and treating them at the
scene. I remind you that these
trained volunteers (many
were trained by the Haverhill
Chapter of the Red Cross at no
charge) work many hours a
month without pay and
deserve recognition for their
good work just as our out-
standing firemen do.
Dick Guy
Dick Guy, President
Cottage Hospital Ambulance
Service
Cottage Hospital
Woodsville, N.H. 03785
Dear Dick:
f would like to commend the
Cottage Hospital Ambulance
Squad for the job they did at
the recent fire in handling a
large number of firemen with
heat exhaustion. Treatment in
Rules should
be upheld
To (he Editor:
Doug Emerson's letter in
your July 14 issue has
prompted me to write.
Doug, there are a great
many racing fans who share
your views. I have been at-
tending the races at Bear
Ridge Raceway for several
years and I have been ap-
palled at some of the incidents
that we have had to witness.
It is incredible that week
after week we are not allowed
to watch good dirt track
racing due to a few "hot-
heads" who push, shove and
are poor sports in general.
(Chuck, Danny & Clayton, you
are at the top of the list).
The rules should be upheld
at all times and we should not
have to watch favoritism
shown.
Thanks, to you drivers who
drive a good clean race -- it
must be discouraging to you
fellows to put up with what you
have to week after week.
Marvin Lewis
Washington, Vt.
Tufts or Jeffords
.for the House?
the field was done so well that To the Editor:
there was very little for us to The Vermont Democrats
do in the Emergency Room may well have a sort of
when the patients arrived. I delayed-action "primary" for
also was impressed with how Congressman this year, when
smoothly things went.
David K. Frechette, M.D.
Woodsville/ff/ells River
Fourth of July., 1983
To the Editor:
At this time, I would like to
thank each and every person
who participated in any way in
the 1982 Fourth of July
Celebration, whether as a
spectator, participant, worker
or committee person. We
appreciate it.
The Woodsville Area Fourth
of July Committee. Inc. was
formed under the laws and
regulations of the State of New
a.m. on July 4, 1983. We have
already requested par-
ticipation of some parade
units for this occasion. We
realize some improvements
can be made in the years
ahead, as we learn from our
mistakes, and we hope these
improvements can be made
without charge to the spec-
ta tor.
The Committee will be
meeting each month from now
Hampshire and the charter is until next year. making plans
filed with e Seclrery for the 19a3 celebration, If you
tate. It is a comunt * wouldlik'*tb' pdrticie in
deavor created by a group of any way next year. or can give
interested local people for the the committee a lead as to a
intent and purpose of
celebrating the Fourth of July,
and is a non-profit
organization. All expenses
have been paid for by funds
raised by sponsors of our
souvemr brochure and the
raffle ticket donations, as well
as contributions by par-
ticipating vendors.
Our 1983 celebration will
start with a parade at 11:00
prospective unit, idea or
person, we do welcome
suggestions.
Anyway, thanks again to
everyone. I appreciate the
opportunity to have served on
this committee.
Stewart Leete
S. Ryegate
Fourth of July
Parade Chairman
Common carrier pipelines sought by producers
/ by JOHN C. BROMLEY
Mr. Bromley is a Denver.based freelance
Journalist and a .former director of
Research for the Office of the Governor of
Colorado.
(€) i. SSand/IVS2
Very few price increases perturb the
American consumer as much as does the
rising price of natural gas, the commodity
upon which both home heating and the
American industrial and office sectors
d d
eor years, alarmed by consumption-
conscious public officials who have
de, handed that thermostats be turned
down in offices and restaurants,
homeowners -- by now shivering a little --
wait their turn. It is only a matter of time,
they feel, government, perhaps
prodded to urgency by a shutoff of the one-
third of American natural gas which is
imported, t0rns therrdoatats down at
home, leaving the general population to
huddle in their warmest clotbes against an
electric oven.
Nor are such visions apocalyptic. The
ot, as well as the demand curve, of
natural gas has risen enormously. The gas
which was once a waste product, flared off
in the oil fields of yore, is now a precious
commodity in an industry with $47 billion
in total fixed costs,
And, witb new potential for profit, as.
well as a stable, rising demand for gas,
independent producers of natural gas have
atarted a small war against the industry
giants, the trammission companies
through whe pipelines flow the gas
bought by local utilities for home con-
sumption. rough the efforts of members
of a p of independent gas rs
called the Ammciatien for Equal Access to
Natural Gas Markets and Suppli, in.
depadents are addressing themselves to
the needs of both the producer and the
consumer.
Led by, among others, Dave Wilson of
Consolidated Oil and Gas and Bob Kadane
of KRM Petroleum, both Colorado-based
independent producers with broad in-
stretehi from Louisiana to
California, the members of Equal Accs
hope to break the trammiuion companies'
present stranglehold on the market.
NotAng the federal control of the gas
market since 1933, a cycle only recently
days, or sell his new well, usually to the
same transmission company that refused
him access to the pipeline,
In order to remedy this situation, Equal
Access proposes amending the Natural
Gas Act so that natural gas transmission
pipelines are made common carriers. The
designation of pipelines as common
carriers -- entities with rights of con-
demnation and eminent domain, but
required to carry everybody's product-
was achieved in the crude oil market as
early as 1911, when the Rockefeller Trust
was broken.
Only in this way, argue members m
Equal Access, does incentive arise to bring
the consumer the least, instead of the most
expensive gas. For common carriers,
whether railroads or pipelines, are per-
mitted to charge only a common tariff
fixed by law for commodity tran-
" sportation, regardless of ownership.
With common carrier status for
pipelines, natural gas would enter the free
market for the first time since controls
were instituted in 1933, for producers -- in
the absence of controlled prices as well --
could negotiate directly with consumers,
i.e., the local utility and its ratepayers.
In contrast, as things stand now both
consumers and producers are captives of
the pipeline owners, to whom the producer
must sell, and sell without negotiation.
Equal Access contends that the
geographic dislocation of the market --
New York gas drilled in Mississippi, for
instance -- will pobably correct itself
when independents can negotiate to satisfy
demand from the nearest supply. And the
opening of California and New Mexico
wells ought to reduce gas costs to the
people of.San Francisco, even as the price
of natural gas is progressively decon-
trolled. San Franciscans, says Wilson,
"now pay for gas at double the average
domestic price."
Kadane and Wilson, both veterans of the
oil and gas price wars of the 1970s, hope for
constructive change through their goal of
equal access for all producers to natural
gas pipelines. For instance, they see,
within a year, a 25 percent increase in the
amount of natural gas drilled- awin-
crease which would cut current imports in
half.
"All we ask," says Wilson "is a
genuinely national, competitive market."
reversed by the Congress and the Reagan
administration, these producers claim
that the changes they propose will bring
about a competitive and national natural
gas market.
The market dislocation of which Equal
Access members complain is the product
of the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 by
which transmission companies -- the
owners of natural gas pipelines -- are
permitted to establish their own whooly-
owned exploration and development
subsidiaries. It is from these subsidiaries
that parent companies buy the most ex-
pensive gasses, ensured by law that they
can pass both development costs and
transmission expenses on to the
beleagured consumer. In turn, while
bringing high-cost Alakan ($12.00 per
Metric Cubic Foot), Canadian or Mexican
gas ($4.94 per MCF) to consumers, the
transmission companies pass up, and
effectively close off, domestic suppliers of
gas (whose product costs an average of
$2,00 per MCF.) This infuriates in-
dependent producers, who do not have
access to pipeline as a matter of right.
According to Kadane and Wilson, tran-
smission companies are engaging in "a
monopolistic pactice which impoverishes
consuIIlers. ' '
Wilson uses the example of the
California supplier, Pacific Gas and
Electric, which has formed a company
called Alberta and Southern as a wholly
owned subsidiary. In the periods of light
gas demand, such as summer and fall, the
independents charge that Pacific Gas and
Electric packs its lines with Alberta and
Southern gas, effectively closing gas wells
both in California and New Mexico which
would, if PG&E would buy on an open
market, sell for less than Alberta and
Southern's prices. But cheaper gas means
PG&E gets a lesser percentage for
carrying it.
Not only is the consumer gouged by the
present market system, says Equal
Access President Wilson, but the producer
"is like,the slave Iove Emancipation,"
For the producer, a parson who drills wells
but owns no pipeline, is forced by the
current system to beg access to the
nearest pipeline and thence to market -- a
request which may well be refused. Aad if
it is refused, the producer has no recourse
other than to cap his well in holms of better
Democrat Kaplan may con-
front "Democrat" Jeffords in
the November elections --
unless challenger Tufts,
conservative Republican,
defeats "Republican" Jef-
fords in the September
primaries.
Jeffords has a long and
consistent voting record-- one
that shows him up as more
Democrat than many avowed
Democrats. Not enough
Vermont voters realize this.
Kaplan, of course, barring a
Tufts defeat in September, has
no chance against Jeffords.
For him to disagree with
major positions taken by
Jeffords would be to disagree
with his own party.
Jeffords, of course, like
Stafford, has been "all heart"
-- favoring all manner of
social programs but delicately
declining to increase general
taxes to pay for them. On the
contrary, he has resorted to
printing press "dollars"
inflation) thus so debilitating
that "dollar" that ordinary
people are unable to save
against their own exigencies
and so are obliged to turn to
the federal government for
help. Example: Jeffords and
Stafford, by debilitating the
"dollar", make it impossible
for parents to save for a
child's college education,
then, "all heart", vote for big
federal aid college programs.
William Tufts, an aware,
well educated, energetic
young man, moved to a
somewhat remote hill farm in
Bethel several years ago with
negligible economic resources
but outstanding deter-
mination, did his own house
building and work, entered the
iusurance field, became top
agent for a top firm. He
worked hard to persuade
someone else to take on
"Democrat" Jeffords; when
no one else volunteered, he
did. (Forget about the unusual
hat and boots, worn for
"recognition" purposes, and
references to movie stars.
Both are political ploys and
unnecessary. Even his ex-
cursions in morality, though
pertinent to the times, have no
particular bearing on the
major governmental issues
facing the next Congress. )
As new man in the House, of
course, he will lack the
seniority -- which Jeffords
has put to such poor use. He
will lack the kind of legal
training which enables
Jeffords to talk so per.
suasively out of both sides of
his mouth. He will lack the
political vote-trading debts to
other House members and
funding debts to powerful
political action committees
which so bedevil so many
long-time House members.
Jeffords, by his record, has
proven his dedication to a
liberal, let-government-do-it-
a nd-make-the-savers-pay-for.
it (inflation) philosophy.
Tufts, whose philosophical
convictions center on home
rule, individual responsibility,
limited federal government
and an honest currency,
should serve Vermont well.
He will be hampered, of
course, by the kind of cam-
paign funds Jeffords receives
from various political action
committees, mostly from out-
of-state. He will have to try to
match whatever Jeffords
chooses to spend. He could use
some help
Herbert G. Ogden
Hartland, Vt.
The Chalmers and Mills
There were various skills
and trades represented in the
Chalmers and Mills families,
but between them they had
more than the usual number of
designers and builders of
houses.
Willia m Chalmers family
William Chalmers. a flax-
dresser, came from Scotland
to Newbury in 1834. He made
plans for establishing a fac-
tory in Corinth for the
manufacture of thread and
cordage rope), and ordered
machinery for the mill from
Scotland -- but because of
tariff problems, it was ten
years befor it was delivered.
Finally Mr. Chalmers was
able to set up his factory, in
connection with a Dr. Hin-
ckley (probably Israel Hin-
ckley) of Corinth. This was
later owned and operated by
Barnes Brothers. (According
to the Corinth history, Major
Joel Barnes, a Civil War
veteran, operated a rope and
thread factory at Goose
Green. )
Wi]ham Chalmers had
eight sons, of whom seven.
were carpenters, and two of
these were also architects.
William's son George worked
in Boston as a carpenter until
the gold rush, then in 1850
went to California, where he
designed and built a large
number of houses. Carpenters
were so scarce out there at
that time that he earned ten
dollars a day -- a huge sum in
those days. George also owned
and operated ,a large cattle
ranch there in partnership
with his brother Alexander
Alexander later returned
to Vermont and built a mill for
sawing and finishiug.lumber,
also worked as a contractor
and builder. He and another
brother, Robert, built a house
for their parents (off the Sand
Road, house No. 30 on the map
following page 253 in the 1977
History of Newbury). A
description of the house says
that it "shows its architecture,
with a cupola, arch top
openings, and unusual siding
made of pieces of thin board
applied onto the boards." t The"
present owner is Terrence
Maitland.
Robert started working
with Alexander as a carpenter
at age 15. Before he was 20
years old, he had complete
charge of a sawmill in
Lawrence, Massachusetts.
When he was 20. he and his
brother William Jr. went to
Jackson, Mississippi, where
they designed and erected the
buildings for a plantation, also
a church. Returning to
Newbury, they engaged in the
lumber business, building a
sawmill in which they used the
first circular saw in the town
of Newbury. They also raised
fine horses. Their partnership
lasted for 18 years, then in 1872
Robert went to California. He
stayed there two years, then
worked for five years "in
Lowell, Mass., designing and
building several blocks and
residences. In 1879 he
returned to the homestead in
Newbury, where he continued
his work of drafting plans and
preparing specifications for
public and private buildings.
It was considered that as a
worker in wood, he had few
equals.
Four more brothers
worked as carpenters: John
built several houses in
Newbury, then in 1864, he and
James had charge of a gang of
men erecting a hospital in
Washington, D.C. They also
built houses in Springfield and
Lowell, Mass., and business
blocks and the high school
building in Lowell. Brother
Albert also worked with them
in Lowell.
Meanwhile, William Jr.
continued farming at the
homestead and running his
sawmill, •later with the help of
the youngest brother. Henry.
Memorable trip to England
To the Editor : wended our way to our final
Little did we know, as we destination, Harlow, England
left Wells River on July 21, the
North Country Chorus and
appendages, the adventure
that was ahead.
Bill Eastman, president of
the North Country Chorus, had
arranged a singing tour of
England and Wales. He had
visited in the spring to verify
the towns and halls where the
chorus was to sing.
We traveled to Boston to
board a 747 from Logan to
Heathrow Airport in London,
arriving at 8:00 a.m. June 22
-- London time. Upon arrival
we were picked up by two
buses with marvelous drivers
from Manchester, England,
George and Archie.
The adventure began; on to
Stratford-On.Avon and then to
Coventry Cathedral for the
first concert where the chorus
sang Faure's Requiem at
noon. Mter touring a bit the
adventure took us to Stuckton-
on-Tees in the northern part of
England. The people there
accepted us with open arms
and presented us with a
luscious meal upon arrival.
Mter a concert in the evening
and two nights there, we left
for Manchester. As we waved
goodbye to the city members
and chorus members and
families, we knew a very
special friendship had been
kindled.
Our entrance into the
Manchester Town Hall was an
unforgetable experience.
Town officials were waiting to
escort us to the grand banquet
room for a scrumptious
dinner. After a whirlwind
concert including the chorus
and the Wind Band of Man-
'chester, we crawled to our
accommodations for the night.
Bright and early the next
morning we were on our way
to Llandudno, Wales and an
11:0o a.m. service at St.
John's Methodist Church.
There the chorus raised the
rafters with song to a
congregation of 600 or more.
At the end the parish en-
tertained us with a very good
meal.
A little weary we returned to
Manchester to have a short
night's sleep preparing to
venture on to Heroford in the
morning for a concert for the
school children at the Shire
Hall at 2:30 in the afternoon.
After another concert at 7:00
p.m., we retired to our private
homes.
Between the concerts we
were able to enjoy this lovely
city and get to know the flavor
Of the English people. As we
and the biggest concert, "The
Dream of Gerontius", we
were able to see a great deal of
the English countryside and
its history. In our tour we
absorbed, Bath, Cambridge,
Stonehenge, Salisbury,
Banbury, York just to mention
a few.
On July fifth, after being
royally entertained by the
Harlow "luvs", we waved and
sang goodbye as our
memorable adventure of
England came to a close.
It was a beautiful trip. The
people of England welcomed
us with open arms and we
made so many delightful
friends. It will be a trip long
remembered by each one of
us, as Ameribans left their
mark on the British and the
English left their mark on the
Americans.
Our special thanks and
warmest feeling go to Bill
Eastman, Mary Rowe,
Director, and Katrina Munn,
our pianist, and Michael
Kibblewhite of Harlow.
England, conductor.
Thank you, North Country
Chorus.
Jeanne Holmes
Member af the
North Country Chorus
New Hampshire
aviators awarded
Air Medals
CONCORD-- Maj. Gen.
Joseph L. Fant, Deputy First
United States Army Com-
mander, Ft. Deveas, Ma., will
join Governor Hugh J. Gallen
as he awards the Air Medal to
four New Hampshire Army
National Guard aviators on
Sunday, July 25.
Captain John Weedcn of
Hooksett; Chief Warrant
Officer Ronald Boyle of
Londonderry; Staff Sgt.
Waiter Lessard of Hooksett;
and Staff Sgt. James Holub of
London, all members of the
397th Medical Detachment
here, assisted in the rescue of
two Pennsylvania ice-
climbers on Mount
Washington last January.
The aviators were called to
state active duty on January
26, in the third day of the
search for Hugh Herr, 17, and
Jdfrey Batzer, 21. In spite of
the extreme weather con-
ditlons, sub-zero *tem-
peratures, deep snow and
( please turn to page 11
Elizabeth Miller of
remembers
grandmother to
Henry" on
Henry was the
family to live there,
death in 1929.
George Chal
George
younger brother
Sr., came to
Scotland four
settled on a farm
brother's
Lake. He ori
weaver, but
molder and
Strickland's iron
Bradford.
Of his sons,
was a lawyer,
minister, and
while
seminary.
William Wallace
was a
wheelwright
maker in
was the father
Chalmers of
builder and
houses. Robert's s
also a builder I
houses. Wayne'S
Cindy did much of
for the 1977 !
Newbary.
One of the
George
named Christian.
Philip C.
were the
of Elizabeth
ford.
John
According to
History of NewburY,
family of Topsha tn
from Robert Mills,
from
north of Ireland
and settled in
He had a son
grandson John
serving in the
Indian War
Revolution. He
original grantee
but settled in
(at the
Frank Brock last
John Mills vss
his abilit as a
of
present
1780. The ori
Mr. Mills built
small, but
has been greatly
enlarged, the roo
to add another
used to be
Davenport house,
1912 was owned
Brock, and later
Brock.
John Mills'
settled on the
(Judge Brock's
which he
Ben Porter for
Topsham. Before
Topsham,
for several yearS
just below the
known as 'the
house. ( Note:
time has
research on
houses. Any
additional
welcome. )
Archibald
with his
about 1818, to the
as the Wild
that goes north
Corinth - East
three miles from
line. His children
along that road.
Archibald
children,
William,
Calvin, Horace,
and Hiram. All
carpenters of rare
they probably
buildings in
any equal
Ac( to
formation
(known as
Arch Jr. took over
of the Cog
Washington
else started it,
as the ravine.
Jacob's Ladder
it,
They are alsO
built the
Newbury
the family
houses in 1
Chelsea, also
tWO, and
building of
Manchester, N
Archibald
Chalmers.
Sources:
Newbury (190'2
Ryegate (1912),
Corinth (1964) ;
County Gazetteer
Doris
Miller, G
andKim GraY.
