The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-02-06
Action Deferred Upon the Ap-
proval Of Depot Plans.
TRAIN SHEDS MUST BE APPROVED
by City Council Before They Can Be
Erected-The Plans Explained by
Architect Stone-The Common Coun-
ell Proceedings.


OF the plans OF the Consolidated Railroad
for the new Union passenger station, but
laid the resolution recommended
by the Joint special committee ON
terminal facilities on the table till the next
meeting, which will be held in alfortnight,
with n significant rider providing that
"as a part OF the construction OF said
building there shall be added a train
shed OF such character and accord
ing to such plans as shah be approved by
the City Council of the city of Provi-
dence." This amendment was adopted by
practically unanimous vote. The plans
OF the elevation and interior layout were
conspicuously posted on the walls and Ar
rhitect Stone was present TO elaborate the
details. The Board OF Aldermen was in
vited to join the Council, and Chairman
Vaughan OF the terminal committee di-
rected attention to the maps and the ar
chitect was invited TO enlighten the MEM
bers. Mr.. Stone entered into
ali elaborate description prefaced with
the statement that they presented three
all-important essentials central location,
sbolishment of grade crossings and ac-
feasibility from that hitherto sequestered
section, Smiths Hill. He gave the various
dimensions of the building and inte-
rior apartments substantially as
described in THE NEWS, and
showed by statistics that the total area
covered by the structure was 1900 square
feet which was largely in excess of that
designated i'm the Goddard plan, the ex-
pert's plan in 1889, and that submitted in
1891 by the New York, Provi-
dence and Boston, and Old
Colony railroads before their consoli-
dation. He asserted that the depot as de-
signed could accommodate a population
of 10000, that the main corridor afforded
standing capacity to 5000, and he couldn't
conceive OF any conditions that
could arise which could not be
met by the facilities for in
creased track accommodations. No one
interrupted him until he touched upon
the introduction of sub-ways and train
sheds, and then he was subjected to nu-
merous conpndrums. He explained that
the sub-ways were something like 10 feet
wide and feet high and that experience
had demonstrated that flights of steps were
more easy of ascent than an inclined
plane. 1t would be necessary to use arti-
fetal light to ensure a safe passage to and
from the trains.
Mr.. Stone, In answer to several ques-
tions, said that the plans included no pro-
visions for train-sheds for protection
in case of inclement weather. That was
an engineering feature which the Consoli-
dated would take care of. The plans pre-
sented were confined to the architectural
design. He admitted to Alderman Win
shipthat in the principalWestern cities the
tracks were under cover, and to Mr.. Park
hurst that train shed could be annexed
to the station under the plan presented
and not interfere with the construction
- H., h,xs nj. Il
mitted that the plan submitted by the Old
Colony and New York, Providence and
Boston roads provided for train shed,
but he would not commit himself to a
suggestion that such a structure should
be added to the plans, as that was mat
ter which the railroad must deter
mine for itself. Chairman Vaughan
informed Alderman Mccarthy that
under the law the New York and New
England railroad could enter
the new station by building its approaches
to the depot and paying rate of compen-
sation to be fixed by the Consolidated or,
in the event of controversy, by COM
mission to be appointed by the Supreme
Court.
The question was raised as to the dis
tance between the rear of the depot and
the outer track. Mr.. Stone stated that it
was ~ feet. First will come the stub
tracks and then beyond these are TO be
the through tracks. Mr.. Mccarthy asked
at this point il passengers who desired TO
take the trains on the through tracks
would be obliged TO cross any of the other
tracks. He was assured in the negative
and then asked If provision had been
made for the train sheds. The
architect stated that no plans had been
made for the shed, but the plan
of the station had been so
arranged as TO admit of the
annexing OF the sheds to the structure
Mr.. Mccarthy inquired II the plans for
the train sheds would come under the
jurisdiction of the architect or of the rail-
road engineer. Mr.. Stone replied that the
engineer for the railroad would have the
matter In charge.
MIR. Sheehan asked about the number
of steps leading from the sub-wuys 20 the
tracks. There were to be 10 steps. lie
asked ifan inclined plane would not be
far easier 10 surmount than steps, but
Mr.. Stone thought the steps provided the
easier method of ascending.
When asked as To whether any OF the
tracks, stub or through tracks, were TO be
covered by sheds, Mr.. Stone stated that
no such provision was included in the
plans.
Mr.. Mccarthy asked how the subways
were to be lighted and il was stated by
the architect that the light would be
mainly artificial.
"But suppose the lights go out?' in
quired MIR. Mccarthy.
"There will still be light enough from
the yaulted root TO admit ofoasy passage"
said Mr. Stone.
Mr.. stone was questioned In regard TO
the provisions made by the expert plan
for the new depot in regard to the train
sheds. This plan, said the architect. pro-
Nidcd 10 the best of has knowledge for the
sheds.
Nr M.ca-fb., thou,,t4 tkat s-,;., .h,.
were a necessity and his idea was heartily
endorsed.
Tho chairman of the committee on
Terminal iecilities was called upon 10 state
what attitude the road would probably
take with regard 10 the sheds. he said
that hc was anrc that adequate provisions
for The comfort ~ passengers would
lc made. he said further
Mat he had resolution which
~ the proper timc hc would present TO the
Council lie introduced the resolution 10
approve The plans as presented, bat the
I4.fut un4 rnfQrt nv Alder Hurrf,7s-e