The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-03-08
POINTS ON PAWTUCKET.
The Meeting Of the Business Mems
Association.
A TALK ON TRANSPORTATION.
The Hon. Henry II. Metcalf Discusses the
Railroad Problem--The Film Flam
Game Again-The Veteran Firemen-
Points OF Interest.

The regular monthly meeting Of the
Business Mems Association was held last
evening. President Goodwin presiding,
and Carroll j. Pullen, Francis j. Phillips
and Stephen l.. Adams were elected to
membership.
The members of the association were
then addressed by the Hon. Henry B. Met
calf on the subject, Thoughts on Trans
portation." The speaker first referred to
a journey from Boston to New York in
the 18th century, and then spoke OF the
steam navigation of the Hudson in the
early part OF the present century, OF the
stage line between Providence and Boston
years ago, of the old Blackstone canal be-
tween Worcester and Providence, and
upon the modes of transportation in
other countries. He said the number
Of miles of canal at present was
1000 and the amount of capital
invested SlS0,000,000. He then gave "A
lengthy description Of steam railroads and
their workings. dwelling upon their great
developments, and giving number of
statistics in connection. The amount of
money spent on railroads since ls2o is
$4,000. 100000. IL seemed TO the speaker
that at the present rate the railroads
would control the government instead of
the government the railroads. Although
he shuddered TO think of an additional
750, 600 government employees at the ballot
box, yet as a patriotic citizen he sees less
to fear in such u condition than that or
the same number under the political di
rection of Jay Gould. The governmental
ownership of railroads may be considered
analogous to the governmental mail SER
vice, which is increasing III satisfactori-
ness every year.
There is much in the present railroad
management that is burdensome and un-
-. aesall hnN
the nation will at some future time con-
troll and manage railroads in the same
spirit in which we manage the mail SER
vice.
Mr.. Metcalf was rendered hearty vote
Of thanks for his address, AMI Mr.. William
X. Sayles announced that the first Mon
day in April a paper entitled "A Little
Journey in Historical Research in East
ern Virginia" would be read by Prof.
jameson of Brown University.
The FIim-F Fiam Game Again.
Another nim-fam operator favored the
city with his presence last Saturday and
tried his game on ~s~few Main street mer-
chants. but, so far as can be ascertained,
without success. His plan was to go into
a store, walk up to the cashiers
desk and purchase postage stamp.
Upon being accommodated he suddenly
becomes conscious of the fact that this is
of the superfluous small bills of which he
seems TO possess quite number Accord
ingly he requests the cashier TO let him
have a s. bill in exchange for five 81 bills.
The transfer being made the cashier pro-
ceeds to count the bills. and finds the four
top ones all right but the bottom one is a
S5 note. She tells him of his mistake.
which he explains by saying that he gave
her the wrong roll of bills, but instead of
taking them back he hands out another 81
bill with the remark that she may as
well give him $40 bill for the
whole. In one store his game was
spoiled by the cashier informing him that
she had just paid out the last $40 bill she
had. In another the conditions were IA
vorable TO the success of his game, but the
cashier did not get ratified" or lose her
wits. and when he asked for the $40 bill
she mildly asked him for the 50 she had
already given him. After making u feeble
effort 10 convince her that it was "all
right lie mumbled something about not
wanting "any mistakes made" and took
his money and departed. His lack Of sue
cess probably discouraged any further
efforts, for he has not been heard from
since.
The Veteran Firemen.
The regular monthly meeting of the
Veteran Firemen's Association was held
last evening. Vice-President Crocker pre-
siding. The applications of Thomas
Greene aud John f. Healy were received
and referred. The application of John III.
Mercier was received, being recommended
by the committee on membership ana en-
dorsed by the fire company at Blackstone,
of which he had been member; but when
n ballot was taken five black balls were
found, a sufficient number to eject. 1t
is understood that this was the
work of a clique, banded together for the
defeat of any candidate presented, eligible
.laa.a sh.a h.K
wanted in the association should be voted
in. This man was elected at the last reg
uiar meeting and according TO his own
statement was never n member of any
fire company, and was therefore ineligi-
BILE
Excitement ran high for time, several
members trying TO speak AZ once. Michael
McGowan said IL was shame il the asso-
citation was to be ruined by such attempts
to force ineligible men into it, The various
points of order were discussed, many rul-
Ings were made and finally in the midst
OF the excitement a motion to adjourn
was carried.
Union Division, Uniform Rank, Installs
Officers.
The officers-elect Of Union Division,
Uniform Rank, Knights OF Pythias were
installed last evening by Serg III. O. True
as follows: Sir knight captain, Charles
A. Lee: sir knight lieutenant, j. Edgar
Sisson; sir knight herald. Fred A. Thomp-
son; sir knight treasurer Robert w. Lyd-
dali; sir knight recorder. William W. Oc-
cleston. Capt. Lee appointed Charles NJ.
Sherman sir knight guard and Benjamin
Redford sir knight sentinel. These will
also be installed.
The following committees were also ap-
pointed Relief committee, Fourth Ward,
Capt. Lee; Third Ward. Lieut.. Sisson
First Ward. w. II. Harrington; Second
Ward, George Crook; Fifth Ward, ;. B.
Fuller also the treasurer ex officio. Uni
form committee. George NJ. Rex, Hazard
B. Sherman, William w. Occleston.
The division will act n escort for Eureka
Lodge next Sunday evening, the occasion
OF their visit TO the Embury VI. h.
Church.
The wouiworkcrs' Reception.
The reception committee OF the Young
Mems Christian Association held "a meet
ing last evening and voted To hold the re-
ception To The woodworkers of Pawtucket
and vicinity on Friday, the 25th inst. A
subcommittee consisting OF Clarence
Kinney, j. 4. Browning and A. f.. Nc
Donald was appointed to perfect arrange
ments.