The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1891-11-10
A Part Of the Roger Williams Exten-
sion Decided Upon.
THE SEEKONK PARK LAID OVER,
Considerable Discussion on the First Mat
ter-Part Goes To the Committee on
Finance--A Little Park on the East
Side--A Generous Gift.

park. MT. NhuBntn Sdlu thao hc 81" 'e'
tain things which should be rectified.
Some means for getting the money should
be provided President Watson said there
was supplementary order-and Mr..
Barney offered resolution changing the
time for fling their description OF the
lands from January 10 March !:
Mr.. Reynolds thought il should go back
to the committee. He described the land
and objected to the last of the various
value for him.
Mr.. Burton seconded Mr.. Reynolds
motion to that effect
Mr.. Vose did not see the point. He had
land taxed for ten cents foot, which was
worth much more. Some of the land
which could not be purchased for less
than $500 an acre had been offered at
$1,000
Mr.. Millen said he believed in the park
as one of the best investments, but that
there might be too much paid for it. The
original cost of the Elmville property was
sll 900, but now the city wants it there is
bigger price put on 1t.
Mr.. Barney agreed that the city should
not pay too much that was the feeling of
the committee.
They investigated the value OF land very
carefully, and recommended none but
where they considered the price low. Lots
were selling at o. z and cent9a a foot and
adjoining land offered at 219 cents foot.
He did not believe the city could get 1T for
any less price. The committee had done
the best il could, and if it was to be gone
into again someone else should do it,
Joseph III. Kendrick thought the city
should have one park large enough. That
was what tie 100000 was obtained for,
and he could not understand how it could
be proposed to pay from 10 to 10 cents a
foot elsewhere for land for park purposes,
and less than 2l5 at Roger Williams
Mr.. Reynolds spoke of the sale of the
Babcock land on Broad street for $4,000,
including lS9 acres He did not see why
the city should go into Cranston and pay
four or five times the valuation of the
land, simply to spend s500.000 Does this
city get any benefit from the improvement
of Cranston property IL they come into
the city they want all the modern inn
provements. He did not believe any
manufacturing company wanted the Elm
vile property for s64, 800.
Mr.. Knight thought the whole city and
State was interested in the extension, and
men from all parts of the State voted that
the city should have the privilege
The motion to refer back was lost. The
amendment was carried. Mr.. Angel ti6
not think discussing the expenditure of
money was rejecting on the committee,
as Mr.. Knight suggested. He did not be-
lieve the city expected TO spend the $500, 900
all on one park
He described the system of parks at Bos-
ton. This city should look 10 "A system of
connected parks with drives between
them. All these things should be looked
into. He was sorry to see the Fields
Point land leas ed for five years for $500
year The price of the Eleanor Field lot
would build one of the fine boulevards,
and $1,000 added TO the price would make
100000. The present entrance TO the park
is 400 feet wide, and 500 added would
still make it still only the entrance to the
park. The 400-foot entrance was wide
enough. The 100000 would be spent bet
ter in laying out small open squares,
which the people could easily use The
city should not abandon Mr.. Cleveland's
idea. He moved to strike out the clause
to buy the Eleanor Field lot.
Mr. Barney said the resolution did not
refer to the Eleanor Field lot, but TO the
land to be condemned. The former was
provided for In the ordinance. The pro-
posed extension was natural park and
stood ready for use at once rs no other
piece could at so little cost.
Mr. Barstow thought all desired the
extension. He did not favor including
the Fields Point land, but favored the
present extension. Enlargement of facili-
ties for rowing was an important feature.
lie did not think 100000 an exorbitant
sum to pay. There was economy in the
competition, which would result between
steam and horse cars.
Mr.. Vose said it was question whether
che land could be bought for less.
u. IL.
thought no better beginning could be
made than TO buy the present land A
sevenmile drive could be built around it.
1t was better to buy water than make
lakes.
The resolution was adopted, Council
men Darcy, Millen, Potter and Reynolds
voting against il.
Mr. Angel moved to strike out the
clause for the purchase of the Eleanor
Field lot. Mr.. Barney thought it rea-
sonable price-G3s cents foot. The city
must buy the ground, anyway. The mo-
tion was lost The matter of purchasing
land, as provided in the ordinance, was
then referred to the Committee on FL
nance.
The matter of the Seekonk Park was
then called up by Mr.. Clarke, the resolu-
ton providing for the purchase and TO
borrow money for the same not to exceed
1925 900 in cost
Mr.. Clarke moved an amendment TO
provide for special appropriation TO pay
for the land. Mr.. Barney thought IL
should all come from one fund and moved
its reference to the finance committee. 1t
was done.
Mr. Durfee of the committee on high
WAYS reported in favor of condemning
land between Power, Governor and
Williams streets for park purposes. Mr..
Durfee explained that that the owner
ship of the land was in dispute. IL was
35xl60 feet in area. The resolution was
adopted
Mr. Batchelder of the committee on city
property reported that the Corliss Steam
Engine Company had offered to furnish
for the Manual Training School two boil
ers and n steam engine free of cost The
total cost would have been 5000. The
committee felt that the gift deserved more
than a passing notice and highly esteemed
the liberality Of the company \ resolu-
tion accepting the proposition was passed
with the thanks Of the City Council, the
roll being called
Mr. Barstow spoke of the generosity Of
the late George III. Corliss and those who
succeeded him.
Mr.. Nose presented the report of the
committee on manufacturers waste tell
ing OF the visits Of the committee and
hearings, and recommending the post
ponement Of tho work on the precipita-
tion tanks, etc, until further investiga-
tion may be made, as the sewage can be
properly disposed OF with the other facil-
titles being provided Mr. ANGEL moved
that the matter lie on the table-Carred.
The following were referred For
sewers i'm Carter and G. streets
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