From the January 5, 1951 edition of the Vineyard Gazette:
“Times have changed.” The police said so, old-timers said so, and perhaps younger people agreed. In any case the glad New Year came in almost on tip-toe, it was so quiet on the Island. House parties were numerous in all the towns. This was quite apparent to the highway patrols and any others who were on the move on New Year’s Eve. But if anyone became too enthused with the New Year spirit, or from other causes, certainly the police know nothing about it.
Not an arrest took place, not even a warning to any person, and a careful check was kept all over the Island until after 2 o’clock on New Year’s morning. A final call to all police stations was made at that hour and the answer was the same everywhere: “All quiet.”
Not even a church bell rang in Vineyard Haven, Edgartown, or Oak Bluffs, to herald the New Year, and yet, people appeared to be as cheerful and enthusiastic as ever on New Year’s Day, and many of them were at work at their various professions.
“Times have changed,” as the old-timers said, to the extent that Vineyard folk have discovered that they can celebrate the event of the New Year without a riot.
As a direct result of the increasing trend toward the handling of Vineyard-bound freight by truck, two important matters of development in Vineyard Haven are under consideration at the present time, one to be brought before the voters in the annual town meeting, the other, a probable departure by the Martha’s Vineyard Truckers Association. The first, which will be decided by the town voters, related to additional parking space in the purchase of the property on the north side of Union street, known as the Chase-Luce property, and now held by Francis A. Foster and the Lane Apartments Inc., which is represented by Henry Cronig.
The lower end of this property, bordering the harbor, is divided into two parcels, one of which has recently been purchased by the Steamship Authority, and the other, a small parcel of some 220 by 50 feet, which is being negotiated for by the Authority at the present time, The remainder is being offered to the town.
The second matter, of equal importance but concerning private enterprise, is the move by the truckers’ association to establish a truck terminal. The initial move has already been made and plans have been drawn by Fay, Spofford and Thorndyke of New Bedford. The property of the Crowell Coal Company on Water street is available for this purpose, either on a lease or by purchase, and the paved yard is well suited for the purpose of parking trucks and trailers. The plans provided for a building 65 by 180 feet for housing.
William E. Carroll, president of the association corroborated the announcement, which was first made by members of the Crowell company. The explanation of this move is this: that it is seen that more and more freight is being brought to the Island by truck. The speed of handling is greater, and the loss through handling far less. Yet, if the present process continues, some local co-operation is required.
The answer lies in planning to transport freight in box-bodies towed by tractors, the latter to remain on the mainland. It also necessitates the employment of a terminal where truck loads can be sorted and loaded on local trucks for delivery to the consignees.
The effect of this departure on the part of the Vineyard truckers, on Island steamboat service, can be plainly predicted. As a matter of fact, such a change has been foreseen by the Authority. A vote to study the possibility of constructing a sea-going ferry, or a boat built for end-loading, capable of making the trip to Nantucket, was taken by the Authority months ago.
Vineyarders look ahead at the brand new year — almost brand new as the first week is rounded out — and wonder what will happen in the twelve months ahead. In early January the mood of prophecy is general, but it cannot be said that prophetic vision is particularly clear. On the material plane we may do well enough. Town meetings are coming along soon, and already the new projects are being discussed: work on the Tashmoo opening is being sought, Edgartown fishermen hope to have Edgartown Great Pond cut through to the sea, and the Oak Bluffs harbor improvement, one of the most significant long range developments, impends. There are other projects, other causes. One may well predict that 1951 will be a year of going ahead in many ways.
On a plane other than the material, the future is foggier and more confused; yet here, in some measure, we should all be farseeing and confident. For one thing is certain — that the future will be, day by day, delivered into our hands, and it is up to us what we make of it. The forecast for the year is the forecast of our own minds and spirits.
Not entirely, of course, for we do not control the making of larger forces; but we control our own meeting with them and we, even we, are a part of the darkening wave of the future.
Compiled by Hilary Wallcox
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