The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-06-25
LAYOUT PASSED.
Council Concurred in Widen
ing Of Washington Street.
Committee Appointed to Investigate
Filtration Plant at Lawrence.

The Common Council met in special ses-
sion at IL o'clock today, President Sellew
in the chair. The warrant of the Mayor
was read convening the body to take action
in the Board resolution electing to
lay out Washington street from Eddy To
Walker street at a uniform width OF GO
feet in conformity with the plan OF esti-
mate and assessment recommended by the
commission. The reading OF the records
was dispensed with.
Mr.. Millen called attention to the fact
that no public hearing had been given to
the remonstrants to the report which
numbered l50 real estate owners on WASH
ington street and Broadway. lie
took the ground that Westminster street,
which would be especially benefited
by the Improvement, was exempt, while
abutting owners on other streets, not
particularly benefited, should have the
burden of the expense imposed upon
them. He also stated that the
Union Railroad Company was con-
sPSSuous beneSary snd r.gn in 6@rt that
would receive more valuable benefits than
any other party. He objected to the plan
of creating a commission by the Supreme
Court instead OF It's being conducted ex-
clusively by the city. He hoped the
Council would non concur in the reso-
luton and that public heariug should
be given to the remonstrants.
Mr.. Parkhurst said that there never
was a piece of land taken under the law OF
eminent domain in this country but that
there were some people who claimed in
juries. The process by which street Is
it is proposed to lay out
. street by the betterment act, the pro-
posed Improvement must be advertised in
the papers. The parties interested are thus
given ample time 10 protest and appeal
IL the action on this matter IL not taken
xsftI aNt afaEt liUo for Ia,
come. Whenever the city resolves to lay
out and improve street by the
betterment act il should be the
effort OF every member OF the
city Government to assist in carrying out
the provisions and plans OF the city. A
point has been raised on the non-assess-
ment OF Westminster street. This is prob
ably for the reason that the improvement
of Washington street will tend to check
the further development OF Westminster
street, stopping II Just where it is now.
This ridse, OF course Sc. viii ,o,,S, be OF ,,cS no
way and abutting owners Will be injured
accordingly. BY the laws of the State, any
one who considers himself injured by as
sessment, can appeal TO the higher courts
for redress.
Chairman Durfee Talked.
Mr.. Durfee, chairman Of the highway
committee, stated that the committee
considered the petition of the remon-
strants and said that they should
have presented their claims to
committee having given public hearing
had no jurisdiction after the filing of
the report of the commission in the court.
The committee thought that the opening
OF Washington street as proposed would
be a detriment to Westminster street,
as it would tend to transfer
the retail trade to. Washington street.
The committee aihJ believed that this
was the time TO make the improvement as
it must be done eventually and could be
laid out more economically at present than
to delay. He said the remonstrants were
amply protected through the court, and
he moved concurrence with the Board.
Mr.. Millen took issue with Mr.. Durfee
as to the point that the widening of a
street improved the property valuation.
He cited North Main street to
disprove this assertion, for when
that street was widened property
deprecated 40 per cent. Neither was
there any force in the argument that the
location OF tAeInion Depot will enhance
the value OF land either i'm Washington or
Fountain streets. He again emphasized
the point that the remonstrants had a
right to be heard before the Council took
concurrent action.
MIR. Burdick stated that in taking
broad view OF the matter he thought the
remonstrances should be heard. He did
not believe in "snap" judgments.
at Is no more than right that the remon-
strents should be heard. While it Ia a
good idea to widen Washington street,
still the w rk should not be done Just
now. The parties claiming injuries should
be heard.n
Motion to Table Withdrawn.
Mr.. Burdick moved to lay the matter on
the table until July 2. Mr.. Millen seconded
the motion. President Sellew called at
tention to the fact that il action was not
taken on the matter before June 80, it dies
by default. At the request of Mr.. Vose,
the motion to lay on the table was with
drawn.
Mr.. J. Fl. Kendrick believed that the
improvement should be made. He didn't