The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-02-17
MUST HAVE TRAIN SHEDS.
Common Council Will Insist
Upon This Point Monday.
PRESIDENT CLARK'S BIG BLUFF.
The Road May Not Build at Ali-rhe
City Knows "a Trick Worth Two of
That-Road Can BE Deprived of
Valuable Privileges.

The majority OF the Common Council
will record itself Monday night i'm support
OF the Parkhurst amendment to the reso-
luton approving the general plan and
track layout submitted by the Consol-
idated railroad for the new union depot by
insisting upon the construction OF
the train-sheds. Since the last
session, the members have been best + ng
themselves by study of the ordina.lces
and the statutes and conferences with
their constituencies, and Will be amply
equipped to cross swords with the minor
ity which is opposed to the reservation
clause The city engineer is To submit a
report in compliance with the resolution
requesting him TO examine the plans and
make suggestions as to what he deems FOR
the best interests OF the city. Those who
tn n position to know urr convinced
that he will recommend the addition of
the train sheds in recognition OF the de-
mand for shelter and protection TO the
travelling public.
Officials OF the Consolidated have been
playing game OF blutf during the past
week by the declaration that the passage
OF the amendment will be supplemented
by he abandonment of operations on the
part of the corporation.
President Clark's Big Bluff.
I'm fact the statement is made from an
authoritative source that the engineer of
the road mas been directed by President
Clark to inform contractors who have sub
mitted proposals for the construction of
the masonry that the acceptance OF bids
was contingent upon the approval of the
plans as presented TO the City Council.
President Clark is inexorabe in his
opposition to train-shed attachments,
and there is no station on the line which is
thus equipped for the reason that he Is
rigid economist. He has shown some dis
position TO introduce platform coverings
similar in design to that which is in use
at the old depot, and which affords such
admirable protection to wearing apparel
and from the weather elements in the
rainy and wintry seasons. Thus far will
he go and no farther, and hence the
City Council will seek TO remind the COR
poration OF their legal rights and insist
upon the fulfillment OF the obligations
devolved upon them by the charter be-
slowed by the General Assemb y.
Time Limit May BE Fixed.
1t is probable that an amendment Will
be introduced to the proviso fixing time
in which the Consolidated may submit
plans including the train-sheds, which
shall be subject to theapproval of the City
Council. fhe wisdom or their stipulation
is apparent, as the simple passage OF the
amendment without such a condition
would not bind the corporation to any
definite compliance with the demand OF
the city's representatives. No material
objections can be raised TO this
precautionary expedient. Then comes the
battle between the city and the corpora
tiop by the cessation of work on the APP
proaches. The act OF incorporation
under which the Consolidated
pledged itself to consummate
the plan of the Terminal Company,
contained the provision that they should
proceed forthwith with the construction
OF the depot, thus giving no extension of
time in Which TO palaver with the city.
The act was passed in April, 1893, and
ii is not believed that the General Assem-
bly,, as at present constituted, would hesi-
tate to favorably consider bill repeating
the charter for violation of its provisions.
The point has been raised
accepted the Terminal Company's plan,
but the fact that il supplemented their
presentation i'm 1889 by authorizing the
committee on terminal facilities to pro-
ceed with the sale and exchange of land
with the railroads which had accepted
the plans as presented, is certainly prima
facie evidence that they were endorsed by
the City Council.
City Has Remedy.
The city has a remedy in the event of the
refusal of the Consolidated to include the
train sheds in their depot plan. The
present depot property and site is occu-
pied by the railroads under conditions
by which the city can compel them to va
cate after reasonable time has been given
for the construction of the new Union
station, and, as has been suggested before,
the City Council could proceed with the
adjustment OF grade crossings and with
hold certain franchises by which they
utilize streets for freight facilities. Some
OF the more conservative members of the
Council, suggest the recommitment OF
the resolution to the committee on termi-
nal facilities with instructions to request
the Consolidated to submit complete plans
including tran-sheds. While this action
might be regarded as indica-
ting conciliatory attitude, yet
such request would be
barren of any satisfactory results. The
Consolidated are manifestly determined
20 have their own way. 1t Is for the City
Council to afford them a salutary reminder
that il is mightier than the monopoly
which seeks TO envelop the city in its all