The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-01-05
IHED[FENDANTS. ANSWER.
Ex-Hayor Potter and Others Tell Why
City Should Endorse P. Is. Bonds.
THE BUSINESS MEN DEMAND 1T.
The Gripping OF the New England
Would Work Serious Harm to the
(ity--RaiIroad Monopoly Feared-Pe-
titIon 10 the Finance Committee.

The city today filed its affidavits in the
suit brought by X. II. /. Goddard ct al. to
prevent Reimbursement of the Providence
and Springfield bonds. Afiidavits were
deposited by Ex-Mayor Potter, John NJ.
Andrews, Hiram Aylsworth and
Albert A. Sack i'm which various
reasons are set forth as TO the advantages
to accrue to the city by guaranteeing the
bonds. Ex-Moyor Potter's principle con-
tention is that the leading business men
and manufacturers have requested him TO
use his influence TO bring about the
guaranty. In substance he says:
l. That he found upon entering Office
that there was a strong sentiment among
business men of Providence to assist the
Providence and Springfield railroad in
order that a competing line might be
extended through the northern part OF
the state westward to Springfield, Mass.
That the majority OF the members of the
city government favor the aiding Of said
road.
2 That he has been approached by in
fuential merchants and manufacturers
who endeavored 10 persuade him to bring
about favorable action and he has been
asked repeatedly to use his influence to
that end.
3. That the general assembly was ap-
pealed to to bring about the endorsement
of the bords. That the legislature au-
thorized the city to guarantee the bonds
to an amount not exceeding 81, 900, 900.
4. That the city council would have
authorized the guaranty had the extern
sion contemplated been under way. That
the board of aldermen only hesitated be-
cause it preferred to wait until it could
be made certain that the improvements
would be effected
5. That he approved the plan because
any other act would have made the city
appear to be acting in bad faith witL the
railroad.
9. That all parties connected with the
giving and taking of the mortgage
were assured that il the road
would make the improvements
designated it could rely upon the city to
endorse the bonds, and that he and the
officers of the board urged the road to
proceed upon this understanding.
z. That two petitions were presented
to the finance committee signed by lead
ing business men and representatives OF
corporations urging that the guaranty be
authorized.
s. That since the action on the part OF
the complainants has been made public
leading business men have expressed ap-
prehension that monopoly would swal-
low up every railroad line in the state, and
he has been urged to see that every effort
Is made to secure the guaranty.
Subjoined is copy of the petition.
above referred to signed by leading busi-
ness men and manufacturers.
The affidavit of John M. Andrews OF
this city sets forth that he is largely in
terested in railroad transportation, and
favors the granting Of the guaranty.
The affidavit of Hiram Aylsworsh sets
forth that he believes every wholesale
boot and shoe house in the city fayors the
guaranty. Furthermore the maintenance
and extension of the Providence
and Springfield road is of vital importance
to the future prosperity of the city, and
he "views with alarm the prospect that
every railroad line which enters here may
become subject to the control of a single
system"
Albert A. Sack in his affidavit maintains
that he is opposed to the further limiting
OF railroad communication. He further
states il to be his belief that
anything that might operate to iniure the
prosperity OF the New York and New
England road would be calamity 10 the
city.