The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-05-08
A PARK SPEEDWAY.
Hearing Given by the Council Com
mittee on Parks.
Several Leading Citizens Heartily Sup
port the Proposition.

way at Roger Williams Park received
good airing last night before the City
Council committee on parks, which gave
a public hearing in the Council chamber.
The attendance was not as large as hoped,
but the 40 or 60 gentlemen present were
representative men. large plan of the
proposed Improvement was exhibited,
showing arrangements for half-mile
speedway separated from which, by low
OF trees, will be a driveway for those who
do not care to race. There will be
grand stand also.
Dr. Ii. +. Abbott said that he is well
versed In horses alsi has watched the
paving OF the city streets with concern
Tor some time. He sees no reason why
some place cannot be given men who are
interested IN hosres for pleasure driving.
The land in question at the park is prac-
ticaIly waste land. He said the paving of
Broadway had spoiled a fine roadway.
His hair stands on end wpen he leaves
his stable on horseback and strikes the
asphalt.
Colonel Isaac l.. Goff presented letters
from j. Malcolm Forbes, Lewis j. Tewkes-
bury ami others. Mr.. Forbes endorsed
Park. Chicago. MIR. John Shepard, Jr.,
wrote that he hoped for the success of the
plan, alt hough not fast driver himself.
The American Horse Breeders editor, >.
w. Pond, of Boston, sent word that the
money could not be better expended. Mr.
Tewkosbury is millionaire banker of
New York and he said a speedway looked
at i'm any fern is an adornment ana bene-
lit to the city. Jerome Kennedy also
wrote in favor of the plan.
Colonel Gon told how horsemen have
been driven from place to place un-
til there is hardly any place in
Providence where safe driving Is possible
hn Tod nf ha 1xro ~ -pt1ld
not be very high and nothing would
please the citizens more, as shown hy the
fact that one afternoon last winter 10000
persons went out on Eimwood avenue to
see the racing.
Mr.. Tanning thought Roger Williams
Park had been improved and the poorer
class was given every chance for enjoy
ment, even to skating On Sunday, which
he commended. No amusement il pro-
vided for the horsemen, and the land in
dicated Is fit for nothing else and a speed
way would be economical ana an i'm
provement which is just ~ hat We want.
lie likes TO see fast horse 20.
Ex-Councilman Charles A. Barden said
that when he first saw the speedway in
Jackson Park he was forcibly aud favor
ably Impressed with the desjrability of a
speedway ana he thought the land IT liz
proposed to take at Roger Williams PARK
could not be put to better use.
had the pleasure OF presenting the list of
signatures in favor OF the speed way, the
names being those of the principal busi-
ness men OF tire city, representing many
millions o. dollars. As stated, every kind
of amusement IL provided for except this.
You cannot control a matter of this kind
on a public highway, but in a park Ii can
be regulated. The estimate cost Ia some
thing over $4,000. This is principally to
bring that part of the park TO grade
and large part OF the sum could be
charged to park improvements. III the
committee recommends the building of
the speedway IL would be very gratifying
to the citizens.
MIR. W. III. Draper told about getting
names representing Sl,700.00o of real
estate on petition, and quoted Dutee viii
cox as saying that he was In favor of the
speedway. MIR. Wilcox is not only a soltd,
careful business man, but he lives near
the park, and Is more Interested in IL be-
cause OF that. Ii is dangerous to race on
Reservoir avenue. Over 90 per cent. of the
signers to the petition do not own horses,
but like to look at them. speedway
would improve the city and make an at
traction TO Others TO come and make
Providence their home.
Colonel ID. M. Tbompson was called
upon by MIR. Freeman. lie said he did
not own a fast horse. but he likes TO SEQ
one and he favors speedway. The pro-
posed location he considered excellent.
The city ho considers under obligations
TO furnish such amusements and wbor-
ever he has travelled money so expended
has been well expended. so fan loston
has spent about i12, 0Oo,C0o on parks and
nobody denies that IL was wisely spent.
MIR. Thompson thought Providence had
teen just about 20 years behind time.
Treasurer George ". Tillinghast OF the
Vermont Manufacturing Company not
only endorsed spae ways, but was also In
tavor OF a saddle path. Tho matter of
saddle horses is getting TO he quito an
item in this city. a SPEEDWAY would
bring better class OF horses 10 rrovi-
dcnce.
Colonel Gofi stated that almost every
signer TO the petitions not only signsd
cheerfully, but also express the wish tina,
it would be granted.
Mr.. Fred Lee aud others spoke I'm favor
of the Ian ana the chairman then called
for remons,rants, but there were ncne, so
the hearing closed, after Councilman
LOugee thanked those present for their
trouble.
One OF the petitions for a speedway mad