The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-05-09
THE ANIMALS DIE.
Everything Else Prospers at Roger
Williams Park.
Commissioner r. H. Demlng's Ideal Casino
and Other Attractions.

Park Commissioner r. III. Deming ID
very enthusiastic over the improvements
made and contemplated at Roger NIL
liams Park, the only discouraging feature
bieng the Inability to raise Wild animals
in captivity, three or four OF them hav-
ing died during the past few years.
Whether this Is a greater proportion than
falls to the lot OF other menageries ne
does not know. Neither can he tell why
the young animals die. He only knows
it is a shame and that he has done ms
best to have them raised. lie iaDoreo
hard to build up the menagerie, having
no experience in that direction when he
first took hold, and says that the money
Tor their purchase was raised at private
su pscriptions, the animals thereby not
costing the city dollar, with the excep-
tion of the elephant. But IL this lnabil-
ity to raise animals has been unsatisfac-
tory, MIR. Deming can point with pride
end satisfaction to many an innovation
and Improvement and il is his one d6she o
see the completion OF those contemplate,
like the casiro, the boulevnrds, bicycle
path, etc., and then give up his position
as commissioner.
In speaking Of the proposed casino, Mr..
Deming wakes enthusiastic over sketch
made by Martin a. Bali after suggestions
offered by him. III such building could
be built for ESQ, coo it would he the hand
somest ediflce in Providence, he thinks,
and It Is doubtful If any in -NeM England
could touch it. He woulu have 1T OF
Colonial design, after the style of the old
White House, with rounded back and
front and wing on each side. There
should be two piazzas oil around the
building, the top one being uncovered ri
each end. The front Of the main build
ing would be given. a substantial and
grand appearance by immense fiuted
columns which would extend to the roof.
The building should lie built OF pro-
nounced yellow bricks with white trim
mings and the olumns built of wood, OF
course, would also be white. The domed
roof, il done in handsome green slate,
would b. very attractive, but as that
would siso be expensive, tt IN likely that
black paint would bo used. Fonr flag
poles would surmount tho outside corn
ers OF the wings, and this would lend the
air of a Cover mental or official structure.
Pinnacles and projections would be OF
"copper"
Mr.. Deming describes the interior gen.
orally. He would have a large bali nearly
10x50 feet on the second floor, attractively
decorated, and various ante rooms and
Offices would open from IT. The resiau-
rant would be on the first floor and OF
the samc size as the hall above and there
would re cafe with charming outlook
and q private dining room. Everyi hing
else necessary to an establishment OF that
nature would be provided, too.
OF course, no plans have been submit
ted yet, as several architects are making
sketches. They get nothing Tor their
pains, as the city is too poor TO Pay for
comrctition. This plan was privately
viewedsby Mr.. DcmiDg, and it struck his
fancy, while it might not be adonted. IL
the CASINO can be started this fall it can
b. opened next June.
Mr. Demiug is also very enthusiastic
over the boulevards and he says that II
one delights in two or three Irile walk
through attractive country and ever
changing scenery Roger Williams Park is
Just the place to go. The East boulevard
is z lie miles long In straight line. II
is almost completed and fine road. 1t is
packed every Sunday afternoon with vebi-
cles, including bicycles, and people on
horseback and on foot.
The Nest boulevard is now under way
and will be over mile and three-quar-
ters la a straight line, with branches max
ing about three miles of walks. This
boulevard will bo completed inside of 20
days, II Mr.. Deming has luck, while the
other is not wholly done and abont two
years have elapsed. The difference is be-
cause ( he East boulevard was done by
contract and the ether is being done by
dav work. thereby giving lot OF poor
men chance TO earn dollar.
IL has been Mr.. Deming's desire for a
hicycle path for some time, az already the
pike, are crovding out the carriages on
the noulevnrd. Why, he says that there
are 10 wheels to every carriage snd it js
ro;ting worse ana worse. As TO a creed
wsy, ho chairman evidentlv docs not
think IL will strike the majority cf the
cjtizens that il should be paid for out OF
tie lark Appropriation.