The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-05-18

service. comparisons with other cities
and the cost of the proposed improve
ments Were drawn up and presented BY
Royal G. Taft, Nelson w. A drich and
Charles Warren l. ppitt. The work was
wasted. Congress did nothing, and the
structure which was inadequate in 1878
sui remains unchanged, Though its bust
ness HIS increased more than 100 per
cent. Action since then has been taken
by the board on the same subject but TO
no purpose. The Only act OF the board
that was effective in regard to the post
of1ce was in 1871 when IL was proposed to
close the doors on WeybosSet street and
cnange the entrance 20 Custom House
street. Inc remons rance was vigorous
and effective. No change was made.
Al times the members stepped outside
the usual business limits and entered
upon the work of PHILANTHROPY. In
1871 it had collected 50, l6l for the French
sufferers, from famine. In 1873 on No
vember 10, Charles Warren Lippitt,
chair man Of the yellow fever fund COM
mittee. reported that SIS, 100. 10 had been
collected.
Meanwhile the novelty of the exchange
idea wore off. Buyers did not take
kindly to the plan and the lessees of desks
In the room realized that the scheme was
a failure. The high, long, dark and barn
Ike room was gloomy and oppressive in
the absence OF activity. It's windows
OiSicN ~ chbtEtdiuluS NltNs Vi DdSScTS-
by and as a pleasant place either To take
"A busin ess friend or for business confer
ence II was not attractive. The energetic
members began to look around again for
n new location. President ". w. AL
drich was engrossed with his official
duties and the matter devolved upon the
vice presidents anu the executive coun-
Gil. L. is In "a large measure
due TO the work OF Vice
President Lippitt that a selection
OF the present quarters was made.
When first Investigated the building
had nothing in its FAVOR but its central
location, its isolation and ample light
Originally built for a market aud for
many years flled with the stalls Of mar
ketmen aud butchers il had until the
completion OF tue city hall in November
OF 1873 been used as the city buildink.
IL was dilapidated in the extreme. The
rent asked was $1,000, and the city would
accept nothing less than "a ten years
lease. Those conditions put the matter
entirely out OF the question so
far as the Board OF Trade alone was
concerned. But Mr.. Lippitt persevered.
The subject was talked over, and Henry
Lippitt Il Co, decided TO offer To lie lse
the second story and ref. IL at their own
expense. at such n rental as would bring
the net rental within the financial limits
of the Board of Tr.de. When this pro-
position was made the difficulties van
ished and the wav was prep tred for new
aid permaL cut quarters. Not that tie
Board OF Trade a not passed beyond
the experimental stage. IL had lony
since made too strong an i'm
print on the community to C ase its
work; but 80 long as IL continue
To rent rooms from year TO year IL was
liable at any time to find itself without
quar- ers. and IL existed somewhat by
sutferance. Wuen therefore a ten years
lease was secured of the old city build
lag, IL was lelt that permanent quarters
had beeu secured, aud tbers-wss no
reason why the board should ever aban-
don them. The rooms on the first n or
were retftted, and practically are today
as they we're ia 1880, when the Board or
Trade moved into tnem. Two OF the old
exchange desks can yet be seen ia the
reading room, aud it IN believed that tue
quotation room contains some OF the old
chairs which aid service during tue FIRST
days OF the orga liz ttiou AT Iurk's Head.
IL Is a matter Of some In crest that
during the irst ten years Of It's existence