The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-08-26
MEMBERS WANTED TO KNOW
Ana 1hess IN Charge Of the Petition
We're Able TO Tell Thsm- Nothing of
Importance Done and Only Routine
Business was Transacted.


however, there being but twenty-three
present. but those who did atteLd had
more finn than goat
For three quarters of an hour an ex-
citing discussion ragged regarding the
petition OF tire Mari a2ansett Electric
Lighting company TO raise tho heiguS OF
poles In certain streets and the members
aired themselves in public debate without
stint
At 8 O'Clock President Sellew called to
order and the clerk read the roll ai.d
minutes. Az that time there were but
thirteen members present, an unlucky
number, but enough TO constitute "A
quorum strsgglet In one by one.
A commune alton was read from Mayor
Potter ordering the council to convene n
epecial nession TO take action on the com
municat on from the board of public
works aud such 9th, r business MS might
come from the nldermanic c a.nbsr.
More Money Asked.
Tne communication from Commission
or Smith Of the board OF public works
calling Tor more money for the curbing.
grading and paving of certain streets. TO
wits Broad street, Butler avenue. Eagle
street. High street. Mauton avenue,
Charles street, Asbburton street, Elm
wood avenue. WhippIe street and Doug
Jas street. the expense to be
charged to the special appropriation
Tor highways made by chapter 466, and
tho ordinance author zing such action
was paused In concurrence.
higher Poles Wanted.
An ordinance permitting he Narragan-
sstt Electric Lighting company to raise
the height OF poles and wires to such
height AZ will permit the free passage of
ehe Union Railroad company's wires, was
introduced. and theu came the fight.
Mr.. Burton asked about the matter and
wanted TO know whetner the lights were
TO 30 raised or not. He said that the arc
lights arc now already too high in
many localities and in some
places the foliage Of the
trees prevented them from giving the full
lighton some streets. He thought the
lights should not be raised.
what the Company Desired.
Mr.. Barney answered and explained
that the lighting company simply desired
to raise the height Of the poles. in order
that the wires might not Interfere with
the wires OF the railroad company aud
the iron trolley poles.
Mr.. Darcy at once rose and moved that
the matter b referred to the committee
on lamps.
Then arose . universal wall.
The Discussion.
Mr.. Barney got the floor and earnestly
hoped the acs ion would not be taken. lie
noed Of something to be don e. We have
ordered the trolley lines. and unless we
take action and allow the electric lighting
company to put its wires out
Of harms way We are liable 10
have accidents any minute. The city
viii be held responsible for such damage.
We only desire to separate the two
liucs of wires, and as the change IL to
be subject to the approval
Of the chirf engineer OF the fire depart
ment no harm can be- done. AS 1t is now
the wires Of the lighting company and
proximity and are liable to
co4 fiict. II such thing should happen
the iron poles would become charged aud
person coming In contact with the
charged poles would receive tho full volt
age the lights. which would result In
serious injury II not death. What we
want 10 to put the light wires out OF the
Mr. voss sincerely hoped that the matter
wonld not he postponed. The poles OF
the Union Railroad company are being
erected. amt in many instances the top Of
the Dole comes In too ciose contact with
q carrying wires Of the electric light COM
pany a. to be dangerous
Mr.. Burton saiu that the committee on
lamps took "A ride few evenings aao and
found that In some places the lights could
Not b. run out to the end OF the yard
crm ~ the trolley wire interlered.
Mr.. Darcy stated that his only objec-
tton was that u matter Of this kind would
always be adjusted fairly aud squarels
BY the proper COMMITTEES, aud thought
tne committee should have 1t.
The question WAS put to the house aud
was lost by vote OF 10 ayes, q noes,
there NOT being a quorum.
Mr.. Burton wanted to know IL Quor um
was present at the meeting and IL not
desired to know what the council was
meeting for without quorum.
ave have, sir - calmly stated the presi-
Aent. aud tnen the discussion was taken
M. Vaughan desired to know II the
trolley poles on Broad street interfered
with the electric wires, aud
that they did not because those poles
were five feet shorter than those now be-
ina erected, he inquired as to the reason
+ for the change Ia height of the poles.
Mr.. Vose hcu explained that the poles
were higher because la winter the trolley
wire was liable TO sag after storm OF
snow ana slect, and that IL was very diff
cult to run the cars mt that time.
Broad Street Poles to be Changed.
The poles on Broad street would un-
doubtedly haveto be changed soon for the
taller ones, ~ the poles at present In use
had been found to be inad' quate.
Mr. Barney stated that another trouble
IN the use Of the short trolley pole arcs t.
from the fact that the guard wires were
net high enough to assure freedom from
ccc'dent In case mass OF heavy wire
should fall on them.
Then Mr: Gallagher rose and wanted to
k~x q -