The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-04-15
railroad IMPROVEMENTS
ghe Interstate Company Wants TO Lay
Rails In the City.
HEARING IN COUNCIL CHAMBER
Nv Both Branches Of the City Council
legal Advice as to the Rights in the
Case-Needs Of the Union Railroad
Company stated by President Aldrich.

by invitation OF the joint committee
on railroads both branches of the city
council met yesterday afternoon in the
council chamber To consider the petition
Of the Interstate Railroad company &c
lay rails In certain streets. and the opin'
ion Of the city solicitor as to the right OF
the council to grant authority to other
railroad companies to use the streets of
the city.
The chairman of the committee on rail-
roads, George Il. Vose, called the meet
ting to order and the clerk. Daniel r.
Hayden, read the minutes Of the last
meeting ana the opinion of the CITY
solicitor In regard to the petition of The
Interstate company to lay rails in Ex-
City Solicitor Colwell's opinion was
that Exchange place Is one OF the streets
or highways referred to In the act passed
at the January session of the general
assembly last year concerning the Union
Railroad company. The word exclusive"
used in the act was construed by him
to mean that the city council has no
right TO grant permission TO any other
company TO lay and maintain its rails,
etc. in any street or highway wherein
the Union Railroad company had its
rails at the time of the passage OF the
act, or wherein it has been thereafter
allowed to put them, unless said rail-
road company should
Forfeit It's Right
to the use Of said streets by neglecting
70 lay rails IL required by the city.
A communication from the Interstate
road was read by the clerk. 1t stated
that the general counsel Of. the company
was away, and that an agreement in
writing had been made between them
and the Union Railroad company. On
this ground n postponement was asked.
President Aldrich of the Union Rail
road company said that he knew OF no
written agreement connected with the
matter. After some discussion 1t was
voted to proceed with the hearing.
President Aldrich spoke of the require
ment of the Union Railroad company.
There were certain things which had
come up at once which were necessary
for the extension OF their tracks. The
changed. One thing necessary was the
use of electricity in place of horses,
which will greatly change the speed.
while another il the rapid growth, not
only OF Providence. but OF the suburban
towns and villages, which require the ex-
tension of the Union Railroad company's
lines In all directions. The company is
building ten miles of lines III East Provi-
dence aud Is considering the question Of
extending the lines to Darlington, War
rem, Bristol and perhaps to Fall River.
The company would build wherever 1t
could
Double Tracks.
and in this connection there will be GER
tain streets which will be neces sary for
the company to use. IL was absolutely
necessary that the company have that
portion OF Eddy street between Thur
ber's avenue and Broad street for rail-
road purposes and petitions have been
sent TO the council asking that the CON-
p8ny be given the right to use it.
President Aldrich aid hot think any
public interest would be served by Civ
ing the Interstate company the right to
run through this way to the rark. 1t is
claimed that the people on East avenue
would be able to 20 through for single
fare. but they can do that now by taking
Camp street car and going via Prairie
avenue. The same is true of Smiths Hill.
r. j. Mccarthy spoke in regard to tie
matter, especially Of the dlatory methods
employed by the Interstate road
Chairman Vose asked the city solicitor
IL in his opinion the Interstate COM
pany had right under the act TO cross
Exchange place from Exchange street,
from Dorrance street, d.agonaily. 1he
city solicitor was unable to give anv
opinion, under the circumstances and
the hearing was closed.