The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-10-06
How the West Plan for Employing
Home Labor Is Regarded
BOTH SIDES OF THE QUESTION.
Over sIa7. 900 Paid into the City Treas
ury I'm Four Days-More Currency and
Fewer Checks Than UsuaI-some Pc
culiar Cases Of Forgetfuiness.


Members Of the city council and others
who where at the city hall this morning
seemed to be pretty evenly divided in
their opinions AS to the wisdom Of adopt
ing Alderman Vests plan OF making the
proposed improvements at Roger
Williams with help furnished bv the
commissioner OF public works. Those
who favor this plan present very strong
argument In favor Of its adoption.
1t is a we'll known fact. they say. that
there are in the city now hundreds and
probably thous snds OF men who are
out Of employment because of the pre-
vailing depression In all lines OF busi-
ness. These men have homes here. their
interests all center here. They are not of
nent citizsns and many OF them
are taxpayers. They are willing to work
even for the small compensation the
city pays its lsborers until more prosper.
Qua times CONS and give them o chance
again at their own trade. Men of this
kind, It Is claimed, are deserving Of con-
sideration at the hands Of the city.
IL thousands Of dollars are to be ex-
pended on public improvements it is only
just. 1t is urged. that it should be kept
here at home where there are men willing
to earn it instead of paying
it out to foreign laborers brought
here by contractors from whom
the city gets very little. il any return.
Moreover, the advocates OF the plan say
that in few weeks nearly four
hundred men, about half the
force now employed by the public
works departments will be out of work on
account of cold weather. These men also
should be considered and given employ
ment at the park IL the improvements are
TO be entered on during the winter.
The other Side.
Those who oppose the plan do so main
iy on the ground Of economy. although
some OF them assert that it has been
sprung at this time merely to give certain
members of the city council q chance
to make little political capi-
tai. IL is asserted it is the duty Of tie
park commission ia making the improve
ments to have the work done at the low
est price possible. IL contract labor can
be secured cheaper then contract labor
should be employed.
The taxpayers say the opponents OF the
West plan ara entitled to some consider
alton and 81 so OF their money should not
be spent when half that sum will yield
as z od n return.
Moreover, it is urged that the class OF
men who would be put at work if the
preferences Is given TO taxpayers would be
inexperienced, and In the end the improve
ment would cost the city more than
double the amount than IL done by con-
tract. Such an expense should not he
,ddled on the city. it is aimed, aud IL
either tn city council or the park CON-
missioner takes tnat course IL will betray
the trusS imposed in them by the tax
payers.
This is the substance Of the arguments
on the question and the report OF the
park commissioners, which will probably
be made mex Monday evening, is awaited
with mucA interest.
Over 1000
A steady stream of money is pouring
into the city treasury these days. Up 10
this mornirx 1916 tax bills had been paid.
The total amount received was $l27, 2l0 20,
While the number OF bills settled is l25
les, than n year ago the amount p aid in
is over $3700 larger.
S nc the payment Of taxes began one
thing has been clearly shown and that Is
that large amounts must have b en- with
drawn from the banks during the recent
financial furry. The officials in the treas-
urer's Office say that more bills ar. being
paid In bank bills than In any previous
year within their recollection and the
number OF checks received is CORE spond-
ingly smaller,
OF course they don't object to taking
the money but they admit that wnen
taxes are paid by checks they save con-
siderable time. IL takes but few SEC
ohds TO examine u check. but con siderable
time TO assort and count bills and coin
amounting to hundreds OF dollars.
Speaking Of the large mount of cur
rency being received, the assistant treas
urer said this morning that counterfeit
bills or coin were rarely found among
the money rendered In payment.
Cases OF forgetfulness or mistake were
quite frequent however. For instance,
a taxpayer will come in AMI hand over
roll OF bills. The clerk will ask him how
much there is In tho ROLL Fifty dollars"
may he the reply. The count shows
only S45 The taxpayer is certain
cbere is s5l. Another couns shows
only s45. Then after some fnrthe
talk the taxpayer suddenly discovers that
be has the missing s. In his hand or
in his pocketbook. IL Is simplya case OF
forgettulness-that is all ~
Notes About the Hall.
Detective Swan is firm supporter of
the Vgilant and he proposes TO smoke
some fine favored cigars as a result OF
his confidence when the races are over.
The sinking fund commissioners held
their regular quarterly meeting In the
mayors Office tnis morning.
committee room ii at 4 o'clock this af-
ternoou.
Tomorrow afternoon the committee on
lamps viii meet In COMMITTEES room ii.
at O'clock.
Commissioner Smith is expected to re.
turn from the Worlds fair Saturday
night.
The supplementary filtration tests are
proceeding satisfactorily.
BIDS for the construction OF several
sections OF sewers will be opened Mt the