The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-07-10
To Be Erected Just North
Of City Hall.
Trustees Of Butts Estate Empowered
TO Lease Land
BY the Appellate Division of Supreme
Court for 30 Years.

In the appellate division of the Supreme
Court this morning a decree was entered
which ensures the erection on the Butts
estate, directly north of the city hall, a
building that will be at least four stories
in height and which will cost not less
than S100, 900.
The contracts for this new structure
were let some time ago, but nothing could
Of work thereon until the court court
had passed upon the question
of whether or not the trustees of the es-
tate OF the late George w. Butts had power
under his will to lease the premires for so
long period as 90 years, the time for
which the parties that desired to erect the
new building insisted the lease must run.
Thomas Z. Greene, in behalf of the trust
ees, who are George w. Butts and Walter
l. Ingraham, read portions of the bill
filed by him against the benefcaries OF
the estate, and also the answers of the
heirs and of the minors and unborn
parties in interest, the latter being repre-
sented by Samuel 5. Durfee, who had
been appointed guardian ad litem by the
court. The will provided, as stated in
the bill before the cour', that the trustees
should collect and disburse the income of
the estate until May 4th,
1903, and then the widow OF the
deceased and his son and daughter
should become joint owners of the estate
as designated. Should the widow die be-
fore that time the estate to be divided
between the son and daughter and in case
of their deaths, or either of them, their
heirs to take as tenants in common.
The trustees were given power while
the estate was in their charge to sell or
lease it at their discretion but have no
power TO mortgage 1t. Mr.. Greene said
that investments of this nature were
more highly thought of now than form
n "A
parties in interest had come to the con-
clusion that the leasing of the land ia
question at a rental of .12, 600 for the first
three years, and s16, 900 for the remainder
of the term, would be the best investm, mt
that could be made of property in their
charge. He also said as a general power
TO lease was given, he could see no reason,
in view of the decision of the court in
another case, where the same power
was given, why the court would
be best serving interests OF all concerned
by approving the lease il they found it
could be done under the will.
The chief justice, after consultation
with his associates in the hearing, Jus
tices Stiness and Rogers, decided that a
decree might be entered approving the
lease, and this was accordingly done.
The new building will be erected on the
site occupied by the low-sized struct-
ure formerly known as the Central
Land Company Building on Washington,
Eddy and Promenade streets IL will be
built Of stone, brick and iron, and fitted
up in a manner thoroughly in keeping
with the new buildings which are now
promised I'm the central part of the city.
There are 22, 500 square feet In the lot,
just the same as in the Grosvernor estate,
near the post Office, recently sold to
Boston parties.
Another thing about the proposed new
building is that IL will be another link i'm
the vast improvement which Is TO take
place along Washington street, a notable
part of which was brought about by the
widening OF the street. John w. Hogan,
who is attorney for the parties who have
leased tho land referred to, and are TO
erect the building, was associated with
Mr.. Greene i'm the hearing before the
court today. Samuel 5. Durfce, guard ian
ad Item, gave his approval on behalf
Of those he represented In open court.