The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-04-17
CITY COUNCIL.
Union Railroad Told That
Speed Must be Regulated,
Safety Tenders Provided and Cross
Town Lines Established.

the running OF electric cars, the neglect
OF the Union Railroad Company To provide
their cars with safety tenders, to establish
cross-town lines as a substitute for trans
fer tickets, aud the extension OF the Eddy
street, Charles, Admiral and Dougas
avenue lines. The chairman OF the COM
mittee on railroads sought to Sc
cure the reference of the resolu-
tion TO his committee, but
the resolution was passed by practically
unanimous vote, the arguments empha-
sizing the obligation OF the corporation to
extend its facilities for the safety and
accommodation OF the public in return
for the valuable franchise IL had received.
The license commissioners asked for an in
crease OF salary. Resolutions were passed
directing the construction OF masonry
bridges across Sterne street and
the West river at Charles street,
and making an appropriation OF
$500 for heating the new Central Police
Station. Several educational matters were
favorably considered and the city bath
houses were ordered to be placed IN con-
dition for the coming season. The com
mittee on ordinances reported upon the
ordinance regulating the location OF elec-
trio poles and wires and recommended
that their care and entire control be vested
i'm one responsible head-the commits
sioner of public works.
Regulation OF Electric Wires.
Mr.. Parkhurst presented a report OF the
joint committee on ordinances for thu
regulating OF electric wires. The commit
tee stated that the matter had Leen thor
oughly investigated, and that while the
subject has been under considera-
tion from time TO time by var-
Gus committees OF the Council, no
charges have been made in the restric-
tions governing electric wires since the
passage of the present ordinance eight
years ago. Many OF these regulations are
now found to be ineffective and some are
in direct conflict with the provisions
OF the franchise acts condemning the
Union Railroad Company and the Nara
gansett Electric Lig ghting Company. The
committee found that several important
changes were necessary in the present re-
gulations in order to bring them into hsr-
mony with the laws of the State as they now
stand, and with the new conditions which
have arisen since their enactment by the
Council. Ii was unanimously agreed, after
examining the present laws and hearing
all parties interested, that the safety of
the public and the best interests
of the city demanded that the entire con-
troll of electric wires should be placed un-
der one responsible head, and after ma
ture reflection the committee believe
that this control should be vested in
the commissioner of public works, who
has the care and management OF the
highways and who should control what
ever poles or fixtures are placed in the high
ways, subject TO the direction OF he City
Council and with authority to employ en-
electrician to assist in such work. This
supervision will insure infinitely better
and safer electrical construction than
could be obtained obtained with the respon-
sibility,. divided as 1t has
been between committees OF the
City Council, the chief engineer OF the
fire department and the city engineer.
The other changes proposed are such as
cannot fail to commend themselves to
the Council. In one instance the
commissioners OF public works
is given ample authority under the bill
proposed TO require plats of the location of
the poles and wires. No wires can be erected
however, without the permission OF
the Council and this permission
may be revoked upon ninety days notice
or upon disobedience of any order of The
commissioner of public works. Suitable
provision is made to protect trolley
wires with guard wires wherever the com
missioner of public works may order
them, and all low tension wires entering
buildings must be protected with an APP
propriate safety device that Will prevent
the passage over them of current of
electricity greater than the service for
which such wires are used demands. This
feature alone 1T is claimed will lessen the
ere risk fully 20 or so per cent.
The bill also provides that all
men engaged in the work of
erecting wires shall be provided with
badges to establish their identity and
penalties are fixed for interfering with
sey sesp wrsl all or electrical lGs n'gsSs apparatus
safe and in good order, while provision is
also made for the frequent inspection of
wires in the highways and upon the
buildings. The bill submitted, with some
minor exceptions, meets the approval OF
ell the companies using electric wires in
this city and also the chief engineer OF
tho fire department and is satisfactory to
the commissioner OF public works.
The report was read, laid on the table
until the. next meeting and ordered
printed.
Reports OF Committees.
The committee on city property reported
. resolution appropriating $500 for heat
Ing the new Central Police Station.
Passed.
The committee on education reported
resolutions changing the name OF the
Sabin street primary school to the Bowen
street primary school; oirecting the school
Willow and California avenues; adding
the sum OF $50 TO the sum already appro-
priated for establishing school accommo-
dations in Ward Six. Four resolutions
were adopted accepting gifts to the North
Burial Ground.
The committee on harbor were instruct
ed to put the city bath houses in order for
the season of 1894.
The committee on city engineers de-
partment reported resolutions directing
the commissioner OF public works TO build
masonry arch and retaining
wall at Stevens street bridge,
the cost not to exceed I'D 900. Concurred.
Also directing the commissioner of public
works to construct a masonry bridge and
abutmepts over the West River at Charles
street, at an expense not to exceed $500.
The quarterly report OF the special COM
mittee on pending suits ending April 4,
1891, was received.
The Council coucurred in the appoint
ment OF the board for game wardens and
constables under the dog law.
Miscellaneous Business.
Mr.. Clark introduced q Joint resolution
discharging the special committee on the
purchase OF land adjoining Black
stone Park and authorizing the
finance committee to complete
the purchase OF land already
authorized by the City Council. Mr..
Clark explained that the committee had