The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-04-09
Much Discussion on Re-
building Broadway.
Arguments Were Very Profuse and
the Session Prolonged.
Considerable Business Transacted and
Laughter Closed the Seance.

ish" last night. For three long hours
she rolled "the ball about" and
tried "to pull the stitches out"
every now and then showing an
inclination to exhibit her sharp claws,
but it all ended in n laugh--and ''alPs
we'll that ends we'll" The laugh was on
MIR. j. III. Kendrick, who in answer to a
query by Mr.. Burdick as to whether the
law regarding bells on bicycles
is enforced by the police or not, replied:
'I suppose IL is enforced like a great
many other laws given to the police to
enforce"
"Then i move that this law be made an
exception" responded Mr.. Burdick,
whereupon Mr.. Kendrick agreed to see
Chief Child in regard to the matter.
The sharp claws were seen peeping
through the fur when the question OF
paving Broadway, from Federal to Barton
streets, with Trinidad asphalt, was dis
cussed at length. III the Council has It's
way, or all but six OF the members, this
magnificent thoroughfare will be 30 built
this year and the lower end will be paved
with granite block. A majority and q
minority report and a substitute resolu-
tion figured in the discussion.
Those people who thought the
Council would vote to pay an
-"exorbitant price" for land adjoining
Roger Williams Park will have to guess
again, for the matter was laid over after
little display OF oratory.
The residents of East avenue may
thank Councilmen Vose and Millen
for the adoption OF q resolution for a
single-track trolley line along that street.
Gratitude Is due Mr.. Vose for his sue
cessful efforts In inducing the rail-
road company to apply for the location,
and to Mr.. Miller for benevolently
withdrawing his objection to suspending
the rules and heartily seconding the mo-
tion to do so upon explanation.
There we're number of other things
accomplished by the Council and ii all
happened this way:
The joint standing committee on ordi-
nances recommended an ordinance pro-
viding that on and after July 1, 1895, ali
permanent employees OF the city must
be residents of the city, or
voters and taxpayers here, ex-
cept female clerks, minors, ETC., and
students in the city eng ineer's department
receiving less than SO per week. This
differed from the old ordinance in the
date, changed from May Land in exempt
ing the students. The ordinance was
adopted.
The finance committee recommended
the indefinite postponement of the old
resolution for purchasing land for Roger
Williams Park and it was post
poned. Then Chairman Vaughan pre-
sented joint resolve TO purchase
land, and buildings thereon, adjoining
the park for $40, 900 and TO buy from the
What Cheer Land Company the building
on Broad street for si0, 1890.
Mr.. Vose was on his feet immedi lately,
and told why he could not vote
to pay away any such sums OF money for
property that is "not worth anyw here
near that amount" Then he gave his
reasons. The old car barn cost originally
s34, 900; that was II years ago.
Today it can be built for % per cent.
less, which would make it worth 81, 800.
Then the wear and tear in use would de-
preciate it its value at least
per cent. year, or $1,000, leaving it
worth s22, ,4i0. Then it is horse
car barn and that ia practically all 1t
Is good for. TO altor it so 1t will be OF
any value to the city for park purposes
would cost at least $4,000. That reduces
the value to Sl2,440.
In the plat of land under consideration
the only part available for PARK purposes
is strip 100x40 feet on Elmwood avenue.
That is worth about 20 cents foot, or
$4,000 Now the committee paid for land
in the vicinity $1,000 per acre, or less than
8 cents per foot. The balance OF the
strip involved Is worth nothing for park
purposes, but at five cents per foot would
be worth $500. Adding these amounts
together, the total value so far would be
s19,lI0. The What Cheer Cottage can be
duplicated for $4,000 today. 1t will cost
$4,000 TO put 1t in proper repair, SO it ia
worth only 5000, which would make the
whole property worth only s24,1l0.
When the building on the Broad street
side was built the railroad company
promised to give ii to the city when the
lease had run out. The land west of
Elmwood avenue is not worth a dollar to
the city, said Mr.. Vose, and he favored
exchanging IL with the railroad company
Mr.. j. III. Kendrick inquired the condi-
tions under which the railroad company
was allowed to build the cottage and was
.old that there was ground rental of 81
Der annum and tho city can compel the
company to remove the building.
Mr.. Vaughan couldn't quite agree with
Mr.. vose. The original cost OF the build
)ngs, he said was between s71,000 and
J72,0O0.
Mr.. Angel put in good word for the
and on the west side OF the
ivenue, which he considered desir-
,ble. and Mr.. Burdick empbatically
declared that he would not vote another
dollar for park purposes until some of the
miserable streets we're repaired. "Then,
IL there Is any surplus left, put it In
parks"
Mr.. Waterman did not think II a
"scheme," but moved to lay
the resolution on the table until
the next meeting and summon tho chair
man of the park commissioners to give
his views. lie carried the day.
Mr.. Vaughan presented an order, which
was passed under suspension of the rules,
authorizing the city treasurer 10 borrow
100000 for the City Hall and sewer loan
to exc out the 81, 100000 which comes due
July1.
A Joint resolution TO pay district clerks
500 per annum was indefinitely post
poned, IL being explained that the ordi-