The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-02-20
A VERY BUSY YEAR.
The City Department Looking For
ward to Spring.
MUCH WORK ON THE SEWERS,
A Feeling Of Confidence Pervades the
Various Committees and they Antici-
pate Great Activity to supply a Great
City's Needs i'm the Near Future.

The general feeling of confidence in the
city's future is beginning to show itself
most prominently among the various
members of the City Council and the
heads of the various departments. These
men are brought into daily contact with
their constituents and the demands for
improvements from all sections of this
city are enormous. The rapid extension
of the suburbs calls for new streets, ad-
ditional curbing, for new sewers and
water supply pipes The work of last
year by the board Of public works was
unprecedented. More sewers were laid
than during the last ten years combined.
This year bids fair to be equally impor-
tant. Already plans are being developed
for carrying the sewer mains from the
center of the city TO Fields Point and
thus connecting almost the whole OF the
west side OF the city with the precipita-
tion system at that point. The plans for
the pumping engine, too, at that point
are now being considered. On Friday
next there will be opened sealed pro-
posals for IL, 600 feet OF new sewers which
are TO be constructed at once.
The committee on filtration has made
an exhaustive report and the prospect
|
be good.
This valuable addition to the water
supply system will place the city in the
front rank of those noted for their good
sanitary condition.
Harbor improvements.
The prospect for improvements in the
harbor and coast department is not very
reassuring at present. The harbor CON-
mittee states that there is a vast field for
improvement in our docks and wharves
and in the general resources of the har-
Dor, but nothing can be done uptil an
/ appropriation Is assured and no
plan can be oltlined until the
approximate amount, if any, is
defined. The committee will make
an effort to secure proper recognition
| There are some extensive improvements
necessary. and they must come sooner or
| later IL Providence is TO handle her rap-
! idly increasing shipments. The prospect
for an unusually heavy year makes it
more Imperative that certain alterations
be made within the year.
The Streets AMI Bouievards
Alderman West OF the committee on
highways when approached by the re.
porter gave glowing dissertation on the
beauties OF Providence. Said he: "We
| are going to rush things this year. But
| Ter avenue will be curbed, and Plain
street will be widened. curbed aud inn
proved until 1t will be possible for the
children to get to school and back the
same day."
| And then there's Davis Park" said
| Mr.. West as the reporter moved away.
| Were going TO make big thing out
| OF that park, aud when we finish 1t it
will be one OF the best ia the city,"
| Committee on New Industries.
The chairman OF the committee on new
industries, Gen. Dyer, is of the opinion
+ that because of the recent railroad deals,
| Providence is sidetracked. and is but lit
tie better than way station. The de-
murrage charges, he says, are exorbi-
| tant, and the committee is waiting TO see
what the railroad companies are going
| TO do. The COMMITTEES has q great deal of
| valuable matter in regard To the city,
but IL will not take any active steps un-
| til the people do something about termi-
nal facilities. demurrage charges, better
freight facilities, etc.
Improved Navigation.
The committee on improved naviga-
tion between Hill's wharf and Sassafras
point is hampered in its work by the
property owners along the river who are
unwilling to do anything TO help the
city. The committee is willing and
anxious TO proceed but it's hands are
tied. General Dyer is chairman of the
committee and says that he will not call
meeting until some encouragement is
offered.
Extensive sewers.
whats on your mind young man ?"
inquired Commissioners of Public Works
Smith as the News reporter strolled into
his Office recently. And when informed
as to the occasion o. the call he stated
that the B )ard of Public Works would
probably havs its hands full this year so
numerous were the improvements pro-
posed.
"We have already, as you know, just
placed contracts for the cons truction of
four large sewers on Valley, Promenade
Gaspee, Cove and Dorrance streets, and
have ayr eed TO purchase the right Of way
on Eddy street near Crary street TO run to
Aliens avenue. After we finish these,
we propose. early In April, TO let out con-
tracts to build a sewer from the cor
ner OF Dorrance and Dyer streets through
Eddy street, crossing the land belong.
ing TO the New York, New Haven and
Hartford Railroad To Aliens avenue and
then To Ernest street bringing up at
Fields Point"
I'VE also intend 20 continue the Elm
WOOD system, aud at the completion OF
this work the land between High and
Cranston streets will be thoroughly
drained. This sewer will run through
Norfolk street TO the Benedict Pond sta
tion, crossing CranstOn street through
Huntington avenue 90 Chambers street,
and crossing the railroad at burlington
street, from there running through TO
connect, with the system on Crocker
avenue"
you can see," continued Mr.. Smith,
9 just what we have got TO do. and we
have got 70 work hard 10 accomplish It,"
Mr.. Smith was then asked about the
prospects Of the proposed terminal rail
road facilities and stated that work
would probably be begun on the abut-
ments OF tue new depot very soon.
The plans are ready for the building
OF Gaspee street bridSe aud contracts for
the prices for the new bridge on Francis
street have been made. We will also
contract for the abutmeDts OF the
bridge crossing ithe Woonasqustucket
river at Acorn street. aud plans
aud proposals will be advertised In about
four weeks. There is some hope Of the
conmencemeut OF the work on the new
depot, and as soon as the trustees holding
mortgages on Che land for the New York
and New England Railroad release the
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