The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-04-23
Valuable Addition Authorized
by Council.
Resolution to Purchase Car Barn, Land
and Cottage Passed After Wrangle.
Efforts Made to Have Once of City
Engineer Elective by Both Branches.

The Common Council was In session
until nearly midnight as the result OF the
final wrangle over the question of pur-
chasing Union Railroad Company prop
erty at the Park. IL was finally decided
10 purchase in accordance With the APP
proval of the Mayor, OF the park commis-
sion, of the committee on parks, OF the
committee on finance and in spite OF
Councilman Vose. The vote By which
the resolutions we're passed stood n to 10.
President Sellew read communication
from Mayor Olney relative to the use by
the city of the Gamewell Fire Alarm
System. 1t was referred to tho city
solicitor.
The special order OF tho session was
then taken up. 1t was the resolution di-
recting the city solicitor to apply to the
present session of the General Assembly
for authority to condemn certain
land for park purposes, the pass
age OF which was recommended by
the special committee on the purchase OF
land adjoining Roger Williams Park.
The land inquestion inclu d es five separate
lots on Youlden and Anthony avenues,
with total area of 16,Os0 square feet, the
possession Of which is necessary for the
completion of the park driveway. The
present owners had refused to sell for less
than 20 cents foot which is 10
cents more per foot than the price
already authorized by the Supreme Court.
City Engineer Shedd explained to the
members OF the Council the questions of
civil engineering that are involved, and
the plans of the proposed layout were
presented. Chairman Barney of the spe-
cial committee further advocated the
condemnation of the land for the double
purpose OF economy and securing the
most satisfactory results in the road build
ing. The resolution was then passed.
The ordinances transferring $4,000 to
ne appropriation for contingencies from
the receipts for the sewer assessments,
which was continued from the meeting of
April s was adopted; the transfer for the
purpose OF making provisions for the
payment OF bills incurred by the widen
ing of Washington street.
There was also adopted the ordinance,
laid over from April 8, permitting the
Providence Telephone Company to erect
poles and string wires on certain streets.
The ordinance providing for the estab-
lishment of five public drinking fountains
was, upon the motion of Councilman Mil
len, again laid over until Councilman Wa
terman, who presented the bill, should
be present and explain more clearly what
is desired.
Purcbaae Aufhorized
Mr.. Vaughan then called from the table
the resolutions of purchase and moved
that the chairman OF the park commits
sion be invited TO address the members.
Mr.. Deming explained the abso-
lutte need OF additional ac-
commodation for storage. stable
and menagerie purposes at Roger VIII
liams Pars aud emphasized the fact that
the opportunity offered in the securing of
the Elmwood car barn and land, What
Cheer cottage and psvilions for $4,000,
would, If accepted, solve the problem and
be at the same time an excellent bargain
for the city.
The cottage alone rents for $3.50 year,
he said, which would be Az per cent. of
the cost for the entire property. In sup
port of bis statements in behalf of the
park commission Mr.. Deming presented
the estimates Of architect Clifton A. Hall
who says that lac barn alone could not be
built today for loss than s35, 900 or $4,000.
The estimates Of Martin & Hall architects
and Gilbane Brothers builders were to the
effect that the barns original cost was
S3S,000 and now worth s32, 900, that the
cottage is now worth $4,000 and the
pavilions 1880. The estimate Of what it
would cost TO make all necessary altera-
tions and repairs was about $4,000.
The original cost figures furnished by
Mr.. Joslin OF the railroad company were
rs follows; Car barn, s39, 800; land, s20,050;
cottage, $4,000; pavilions, $1,000. Total,
s79,95o.
Mr.. Vose began his opposition with al
apology almos vehement and challenged
anyone to say when or where he had ever
said or done anything detrimental
20 the interests of the Union Railroad
Company or to prove that he had any
thing but kindly feelings for the com
mission from which he recently resigned.
No one accepted the challenge, but the
smiles were so broad that the
chambers hardly held them. Then
to prove his love for the rail-
road company and the commission
he did his best to defeat what both de-
sired and what the experts and commit
teeman all heartily approved Of. He pro-
duced lot Of figures OF his own
that even the legal members OF the
Council did not pretend to understand,
and made continual reference TO
his expert authority without men,ioniug
any names until Mr.. West wanted 10
know who the expert was, when Mr.. voss
announced the name OF Spencer p. Read,
with the air OF q man who knew that he
had weakened his case, and must fight
for reputation as well as against meas
urc.
After sppio ling the scheme endorsed
b,, ali the ~ horft foa on ,,ark a,a h..&Is