The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-07-08
UNION VS.. INTERSTATE
Public Hearing Concerning the Peti-
tions of the Two Roads.
FOR ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT.
Active Supporters Of One Road Become
Bitter Opponents OF the Other Both
Roads Say They VIII Facilitate Travel
In the Same Section OF the City.

ROADS Say Iney Will fbcluuato Arhvcl
In the Same Section OF the City.
Hearings were given at the City Hall
to-day before the committee on railroads
on the petition ofthe Interstate and Union
railroad companies to build roads. The
proposed Interstate route is Beginning
In East avenue at the city line; thence
through East avenue to Darlington ave-
nue.; thence through Darlington avenue
to Camp street; thence across Camp
street to private property on the
westerly side of said Camp street;
thence from point on Mallett street OPP
posite Darlington avenue through Nal
lett street; thence across Olney street to
Brown street; thence through Brown
street to Waterman street; thence
street; thence through Benefit street to
Thomas street; thence through Thomas
street to North Main street; thence across
| North Main street to Steeple street;
thence through Steeple street to Ex
change place; thence through Exchange
place to suitable point therein for a
terminus.
The Union Railroads proposed route is:
East avenue, from the city line to Olney
street; in Olney street, from East avenue
to North Main street; in North Main
street, from Olney street to Steeple street;
in Steeple street, from North Main street
to and across Canal street to Exchange
place and in Exchange place.
Rathbone Gardner said that the Inter
state Company expected to form an i'm
portant service for the city Of PRovI-
DENCE. They :expect to serve class of
people who have the use Of no railroad.
The increase in the valuation OF property
in the section through which the company
will run will be so great that the city will
be soon compensated by the increase in
taxes.
Mr. Gardner presented petition signed
by 100 residents in the neighborhood Of
Brown street asking that the prayer OF
the Interstate Company be granted. Mr..
Gardner said that there was nothing more
favorable for the business interests of the
city than this project.
Attorney General Burbank said that
he was n resident of the section through
which the road will be put. This section
portion of the city, aud there can be no
question about the desirability of con-
Meeting them. Here is company char
tered, organized and equipped. II
the Union Railroad Company Is
to be allowed to EXCLUDE this
great deal OF trade which would be in
creased by connection with this isolated
section would be done away with.
II the Union Railroad Company is a
live company, as we know 1t is. healthy
competition will be for mutual good.
$. o. Edwards said / am a residtnt Of
the Second Ward and live in the Brown
street district. Our only ways OF reach
ing the centre OF the city is by taking the
Brook street cars which are certainly not
easily accessible. Another way Is by
walking nearly all way down Hope Reser-
voir aud taking Camp street cars. The
cable cars may be taken by walking
down Waterman street. Il
THE Union Railroad Company was
petitioned several years ago to put in
street cars through this district, but it
was ignored. think this petition should
be granted because of the service needed
in the East avenue district"
"Once establish this line there is no
doubt but what the city would be COM
pensated far beyond what it might suffer.
This road will connect the city with the
suburbs and outlying towns and the city
will be given more trade. Fcilities will
be given which the Union Railroad Com
pany has not provided.
Charles Cohen thought it would be a
good thing for the Interstate Company to
enter the city for good many reasons.
The Union Railroad Company had never
intended to give any facilities TO the in
habitants Of this section, which the Inter-
oeoNO NVhP"hy VIII Wv.
The Union Railroads Case.
Benjamin Lapham suggested that all
petitioners he heard on both petitions be-
fore the committee.
The clerk read the petition Of the Union
Railroad Company.
General Manager Potter said that the
Union Railroad Company wanted TO oper-
ate an electrical line on Brown street aud
connect with the cable route. Transfers
would be given.
Iu response to the inquiry Of Mr.. lap
ham IL was stated that the Union rail-
road would connect with the Interstate
road at the city line aud carry passengers
for "a reasonable compensation.
Ex-Gov TAFT demonstrated against the
pei ition of the Interstate road. The
route, he thought, was one which the city
should not allow them TO occupy.
William Grosvenor demonstrated
against the laying Of rails in Waterman
street.
James Tillinghast presented a petition
signed by twenty residents OF Brown
street aud others on Waterman street op-
posed TO an electric road on the latter
street.
Mr. Tillinghast thought there sheHid be
some streets in the city tor residences
only. It is rather for the abutters than
the public to speak whether or not road
should be put on Waterman street.
Ex-Gov. Taft read the remonstrance
presented by Mr.. Tillinghast. There are
ninety eight signatures to the paper by
citizens who are directly Interested in the
matter.
"The signatures" he said, "sre not con-