The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-02-08
TO SAVE MONEY.
"
Councilman Gardner Has
Another Scheme.
Would Alter Plans of New
School Houses.
Alderman Burbank Wanted License
Investigation Secret.

II Is not the fault OF Alderman Burbank
that the transactions Of the special COM
mittee to investigate license matters are
to be public next Thursday.
This special committee consists of AL
dermen Fuller and Burbank, and Coun-
cilmen Waterman, Miner, Smith and
Howard. They were appointed Monday
night, and Wednesday met for organiza-
tion with all present except Sir. Howard.
1t was at this preliminary meeting that
the Reform Alderman of Ward 2, who
wants the people to know just what their
| public servants arc doing, surprised his
colleagues by insisting hat all the
meetings OF the committee be private and
that the investigation be of a strictly
''star chamber character. His reason
for advocating secrecy was that more in
formation could he dragged out OF the
parties to be investigated if the public
was kept out.
Reform Councilman Smith OF Ward 8
agreed with Mr.. Burbank but the ether
members outvoted them aud decided TO
have nothing bot public bearings and the
first one will be next Thursday.
Mr.. Burdank's scheme for suppressing
facts has been generally commented upon
and bis given reason has a tinge of the
ridiculous in IL when it is remembered
that MIR. Burbank Cnce was called upon
O fill a place intended for someone else,
the principal business OF which was to
drag out information from witnesses in a
public court.
Councilman Gardner Of the Second
Ward has a scheme for saving $780, 900 by
altering the plans, already adopted, for
the East Side High School and the Broad
street grammar school. The estimates
and plans which were considered last
year and met with the approval of the
n - - -.
ton and the school authorities, call for
an appropriation of about 5000 0 for
both buildings.. Both buildings, accord
ing TO these plans, would be monels of
architectural beauty and in keeping with
the progressive movement in public
school matters which Yves ~inaugurated,
but a few years ago. To cot off $50, 600
would necessitate very material changes
in the plans end the substitution OF in
ferior building materia'.
This scheme has not been brought be-
fore any committee as yet, nor formally
suggested in the Council, but it is .'in the
sir. F" and the friends OF the public school
system are indignant that any cutting
down process in that department should
be even preached. A number OF school
committee and Council members have
been approached in tbs matter and all
dec. are that there will be a long fight
before any scheme TO turn school build
ing into cheap Diock houses Is q success.
MIR. Gardner is the chairman OF the
committee on education and my bring
the subject of reduction up at the meet
igg this afternoon.
THE ETT PICKLE.
Chairman Tanner OF the special COM
mittee TO investigate the department of
weights and measures said today that he
was in favor of making this afternoons
meeting pubic in oroer TO give Mr.. Pettis
an opportunity To answer some of the
charges made against him yesterday.
When the committee adjourned ii was
with the understanding that the meeting
today should be private and for the pur-
pose of preparing q report TO be presented
10 the Council. Mr.. Pettis has sent in a
petition for further hearing and 1t Is also
expected that ex-Alderman Harris will be
present with affidavits to the effect that he
never authorizes the city sealer To do GER
tain things as intimated by the witnesses
last night. he meeting is announced for
late this afternoon and the question Of
making IL public will be decided then.