The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-08-13
The Water Works Ques-
ton in CranStOn.
Opponents of the Scheme Are
the AnneXatiOniStS.
Claim That Establishment Would
Furnish Plumber for Politicians.

Although many Of the citizens Of the
town favor the establishment Of water
works In the town. there arc those
who strongly oppose any such steps by
the town.
The committee appointed by tho Town
Council to confer with the city can do
little until Commissioner Smith of the
cty " atsr works returns on the 18th.
In the meanwhile. most of them arc using
the utmost secrecy and precaution lest
any unwise step they might take would
arecipitate q quarrel similar to that OF
Oh
While those who favor the new water
works plan are apparently modest and re-
SirinR in its advocacy, their opponents are
loud in tIeir denunciations OF such n
plan. ''It would bankrupt the town. said
prominent citizen. yesterday. 1T is alb
surd to think of such thing" he said.
ssHore we arc. with debt OF about $780,
600 thinking OF increasing the general
mortgage upon the town from per cent
to about 10 per cont.
Another citizen in arguing along the
same line said that debt donbe th
present one would eat up about one-balf
tho taxes in interest "Tbe tax rate.
he said, would 60 up as it has done In
the town of North Attleboro, where an in
dependent water system was established,
sud now the property owners arc paying
tax of ga on every $1,000 valuation.
"Better would it be, by far, say the
opponents to the new departure. "for
the town to nnfrex to the city OF Provi-
deuoe and enjoy good schools, police. fire
protection, electric lights--for only 81. 60.
These men say that Cranston and Provi-
uence are too closely allied nv nature TO
remain separated long. Annexation is
only question of a few years, they think,
,pd hsrce. the esta blishment OF water
works would be an expenditure for few
years only.
Some are afraidthat should water works
% established and get into control OF
politicians, they would establish polit-
jcsl following that would make them
b0irA during life, OF their Jobs. They
10 not intimate that those who aro now
advocating water works are hupgering
after any Of the sugar plums In the form
Of jobs, hut fear lest some unscrupuIous
politician gain control and then farm out
tho hundreds of jobs to men who would
pledge allegiance TO him politically.
ThU water takers of Cranston have Just
rates charged them for water, they say.
Tie new requirement. tho city has placed
upon new takers inconveniences few
large property owners In the town. but
only a few. and then, these opponents
say. the new ordinance of the city rcquir-
ing a deposit of money or certified
check covering the cost of introducing tho
water, should not embar ass any ono who
has confidence in the development OF his
property.
Then. again urge the opponents. II
every other circumstance favored the es-
tablishing Of watsr works, tho water
itself could not be obtained. There IL no
poDd Of sufficient size in the town ex-
cept those in either the basin or tho Paw
ruxet or the Pocasset. IL tho town
would t AXE the water from any pond or
stream that has the Pawtuxet river as its
,utlet. they wopid be liable for heavy
usmage to the city of Providence and q
mill owners along tho stream. 1t would
be iikewisee II water were taken from tho
pocassct river basin. Mill owners hal
..tsolute control.
The Town Council will meet in special
session Saturday morning Ii is expected
Shat tho water question will absorb much
Y the attention of that BODY.
Mi4s Ethel Heckles OF Arlington enter.
sained the Sunday school class, Of which
she is teacher. yesterday afternoon. at her
home. The young people participated
enthusiastically In RaTes OF pleasing
nature and were afterward served with
light but dainty refreshments