The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-03-18
THE SPEEDWAY.
Plans AfOOt for Its Ac-
cOmpliShment.
Roger Williams Park Likely
to Have Addition.
Prominent Gentlemen Are Much In
tereSted In the Enterprise.

Less than a month ago The News an
nounced that plans were on foot for q
speedway at Roger Williams Park. Those
plans have taken definite shape, as the
following circular, sent out last night,
will show:
Providence, r. l., March 18th, 1896.
DEAR SIR You are cordially requested
to atteni a hearing to be held at the
Providence Board OF Trade rooms, Market
Square, on Thursday evening, March ~,
at O'Clock, for the purpose OF thoroughly
discussing the proposition and necessity
OF establishing Speedway In Providence,
and the best motive and action 10 take
for its accomplishment
The matter has been looked over care
fully By quite number OF interested
ones, and 1t has been found that there is
possibility OF obtaining tract In Roger
Williams Park on the ground extending
from Broad street toward Elmwood
avenue, now unoccupied.
This site is considered by many to be
the very best possible, as the land would
not have to be purchased, and the Speed
way being thrown into one OF the amuse-
ments of the Park, everybody personally
would be benefited. This suggested spot
would be, as you all know, very ccessible
for even those desiring TO witness the
sport, not owning horses OF their own,
as the cars pass the ground at either end.
IL was deemed best to call this meeting
and allow everybody interested in its
progress to offer suggestions for any other
or better place tLat they may have In
view.
We also purpose to organize on this
evening named and to take such steps as
will develop the best ana most beneficial
results.
Please endeavor to be present and oblige
Respectfully yours,
ID. RUSSELL BROWN, JouN SHEPARD, JR,. 4.
Cor. ;. S.SwEETLAND. JEROME KENNEDY,
X. LINCOLN LIPPITT, EDWIN WINsoR,
HENRY &. BALLoU, CHARLES A. WILSON,
LEANDER r. PECK, JAMES A. POTTER,
WAITER A. PECK, THOMAS l.. ARNOLD,
GEO. l.. SHEPLEY, EARL III. POTTER,
CHAs. A. BARDEN, GARDINER L. SIMS,
EDWIN BROWN, JAMES II. TOWER,
MARsDEN j. PERRY, VIM q. BLANDING,
VIM. X. RICHARDS, +. Il. CARPENTER,
MYRoN III. FULLER, EZRA X. PERKINS,
EARL {. ANTHONY, WM. T.. BRAYToN,
FRANK A. CHACE, ROBERT BRAYToN,
ISAAC l.. GOFF.
The idea is to get strip 200 feet wide
next to the railroad tracks at the north
end OF the park and 1t may be considered
desirable to purchase a small sttip from
the railroad people. The speedway will,
IL obtained. extend from broad street to
Elmwood avenue and and give more tnan
half mile clear stretch The race track
will be 100 feet wide and there will be an
s0-feet driveway separated from it by q
grass strip there will be no turning
around on the speedway, all returns being
made by the driveway. There will be a
large grand stand for the public and a
pavilion for refreshments. The land IL IL
proposed to use is practically useless as II
Is and to turn 1t into speedway will not
mean gain for any real estate or other
speculator, it being public land. Inter
ested persons have searched far and wide
for more likely spot, but failed to find
IL. 1t Is understood that the city engineer
has made some plans already.
As one man said: "You have pond
for skaters so why not have speedway
for drivers?"
The park commissioners have had the
matter in hand some time and are favor
able toward the project. The cost, 1t is
said, will be reasonable.