The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-02-18

only one was accepted, the question OF
transfer tickets, and that was disposed OF
for the time being by the appointment OF
a special committee TO attend TO the mat
ter. Other matters were got rid of more
easily by reference or tabling and there
was a rapidity about the transactions that
would have put the Aldermsnic sessions
Of last year in the shade.
FOR A TRANSFER SYSTEM.
Mr.. West called from the table the reso-
luton that a joint special committee be
appointed to confer with the Union Rail
road Company In reference to the estab-
llshment OF a proper system OF transfer
tickets on all street railways within the
city limits. Also 10 ascertain under b
terms and conditions the company Will
consent TO a system Of transfers. The
committee is authorized TO negotiate with
the company, to the end that satisfactory
arrangements may be made in reference
TO said transfers. All plans, nes otiations
n arrangements to be subject, however,
TO the approval and ratification OF the City
Council.
In case of failure TO come 10 any satisfac-
tory arrangement in reference TO trans
fers TO report TO the City Council what
rights the city has in the premises and
whether the city can compel the railroad
company, directly or indirectly. TO grant
transfers; also the probable cost OF trans
fefs to the company.
Said company Is hereby authorized to
apply TO the city solicitor and the joint
committee on ordinances for such legal
assistance as 1t may deem necessary.
Mr.. Gardner of the Second Ward was the
first member to speak on the resolution
and he earnestly opposed its passage on the
grounds that 1t would be useless and that
it is elso unwise to appoint any commit
tees TO negotiate with corporations doing
business with the city. He said that the
city solicitor, had already expressed his
opinion on this matter and that. he would
take the same unfayorable view OF 1t with
the committee now proposed. The Union
Railroad Company would agree to trans
fers only on conditions of certain privi-
leges-an extension Of the franchise for
the seven years allowed by the last act,
or a reduction OF the percentage OF Its
earnings, which 1t now pays to the city,
or relief from the work it is now COM
peileo to do in keeping streets in repair.
! The city cannot afford to get a transfer
system under any of these conditions,
Mr.. Gardner said. He said that be hoped
the resolution would not pass.
Mr.. West intimated that many mem
| bers of the present Council were elected
| on the issue of transfer tickets and that
he for one did not propose to leave 1t
alone. He said that the city must get
what ii deserves from the railroad COM
pany by ats OWE efforts, and go into the
matter for success, or If not that to at
least find out just what the relations be-
tween the city and the company do
amount to.
Mr.. West declared that he had no faith
in the Legislature and did not propose to
go to that body for help IN the matter for
fear that 1t would go to work and q 10
years to the railroad franchise.
Mr.. West also claimed in support OF his
resolution that the proposed committee
would have greater power vested In IT
than the ittee of last year.
Mr.. Tanner favored the passage OF the
| resolution and said that he believed the
Union railroad Comany is expecting to
have such a committee appointed and Is
waiting to receive it.
Mr.. Gardner continued his argument
by advising that the railroad company
officials be seen Immediately and asked IL
they are willing TO grant transfers with
| out any further concessions from the city.
III they are not then the city should 60
to the Legislature.
Mr.. Gardner then offered a substitute
resolution providing for a COMMITTEES to
find out what the railroad company will
do without further concessions and to re-
port not later than March 10.
Mr.. West denounced the substitute and
thlu lnhI III in0dnl u lOslnR nRnl Will lnt
General Assembly and not business.
Mr.. Joseph H.. Kendrick proposed the
passage of the original resolution and re-
ierreo to the failurne of the last commit
tee on cross-town lines and transfer tick
cts of which he was a member. He
claimed that the railroad would not give
free transfers unless the city provides
suitable streets for double tracks for
! crosstown lines. Mr.. Kendrick corrobor-
ated MIR. Gardner and said that the only
way TO get transfers is from the court or
the Legislature, and that the substitute
resolution would be more effective than
the one offered by MIR. West. Mr.. " aterman
also supported the substitute resolution
and expressed the opinion that "~negotia-
tom would be useless. Mr.. Kavanaugh
wanted the original resolution to prevail
because, in his opinion. IL was more In
line with what the people want.
Mr.. Gardner spoke Tor he third time n
pointed out the absurdity of appointing
a special commission TO find out what
every emb of the Council ought to
know or else be ashamed OF himself for
his Ignorance.
There was some further objection to the
original resolution because 1t would
cause delay, whereupon Mr.. West amended
IL py providing that the committee
should report within sixty days.
The question was then put on the sub
stituto and that resolution Jailed of pass
age by a vote Of g to 10 as follows:
Ayes-Cuuncilmen Bullock. Cooke. Rnthhone
Gardner, Howard. Kendrick, Kelleher. Met
calf, Phillips. stursos, Sisson, iruinan,
Waterman, Whipple.
Noes - President kendrick. Councilmen
ANGEL, Anthony, blanchard, .Blakeiey, Eeaue.
Cressy. Frecman. Grinnelt, NJ. W. Gardiner,
Gray, Kelly, kavanhugh. Moore. Minor,
O'Connol, icrhins. Ryan, smith, Trask, Tan
nor. whitley, West.
The original resolution wos then
passed and PRESIDENT kendricK appointed
The following Counciimen on the special
committee: West, ksthbone Gardner,
kavanaugh, and Tanner.
FOR A NEW CITY CHARTER.
sr Rathhone Gardner presented the
fcport Of the committee on ordinances
recommending the resolution providing
fer the appointment OF a commission TO
draft a new city charter, and recon-
menaed its passage with an amendment
providing that the commission incur no
expense without the consent Of the Coun-
eli. The resolution was passed. IL pro-
- -