The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-03-29
Petition to Close Blackstone
Street is Causing Much
Unfavorable Criticism
Many Old Residents Would Be
Injured if Such Action
Passed the Board.
ONSATLAW WOULD FOLLOW
Would II be Just to Cater to One Corporation
to the Detriment Of Over 40 Other
Prominent Citizens.

iho iOOShS hcdiihB W ohO Dooio Vi
Aldermen on the petition of the American
Curled Hair Company and the New Eng
land Electrolytic Copper Company has
given rise to much comment throughout
the city. 1t is not the hearing 30 much as
to the reasons leading up to the hearing
which causes the animated discussions.
The question arises, does the city want to
to outside corporations to locate in this
city? II it does want these corporations,
how far and what inducements should be
extended to them? The whole animus of
the situation Is contained in these two
questions.
The present agitation needs q careful
consideration in order that each party to
the controversy obtains equal justice. The
New England Eiectrolytic Copper Com
pany came to this city and settled upon
wnat one would call unimproved land; (;
but, at the same time 1t must be borne in
mind that the above piece OF land was
peculiarly well adapted for their plant,
and at tho present time, In conformity
with promises made to them, they are
PIObCSbCd ono huIhiohCa WIN tiiC OCob ~
commodations the city can afford. The
railroad facilities are excellent, none bet.
ter in New England, water, fire protection
and electric lights are at their disposal,
and one would think that they ought to
be satisfied.
1t is true that they are benefit to the
city in as much as they employ certain
kSar ~ 10 ~ 30 .hnx,
they pay wages which eventually finds it's
way directly or indirectly to the shop
keepers. The question arises, however,
are they, the corporation, not deriving a
pecuniary benefit from the location and
employment of these same men? Are they
SO magnanimous that they would employ
these men at a continued loss to them
selves9 Not they, the corporation is COM
posed of shrewd business men who are
fully aware of their advantageous sur
roundings, and who in the event Of not
obtaining this demand, will not pack up
their belongings to seek quarters else
where. AS corporation doing business
in the city they are entitled to just con-
sideration.
On the other hand tho long list con-
tanning the names OF some Of the most
influential citizens in the city ought to
convince the members Of the Board that
1t would be inexpedient to close up Black
stone street. There are q number Of
owners of land in that vicinity who have
been paying taxes for years with the same
idea that something would occur to repay
them for:the outlay. The time has come,
In their opinion, when they believe that
their hopes will be realized. 1t is thought,
and with good reason, too, that the con-
tinuation of the High street electrics to
Valley Falls via Blackstone street, is not
far distant, and IL such does occur they
can obtain some return for their outlay.
II, however, the street Is closed their ex-
pectations are doomed to disappointment,
and they will be compelled to sell the &C
cumalation of years at terrible loss.
AS was said in the beginning Of this
article, the situation Is one requiring care
full consideration by the members of the
Board. II, In their opinion, 1t would be
better for the interests Of the city to close
up this street, 1t Is their duty to do 80. II,
on the contrary, many of the citizens
would be injured, by the wish of one cor
poration to be exclusive, 1t is their duty to
refuse the petitioners. As far as the Amer
ican Curled Hair Company is concerned,
they have no standing In this case at all as
far as can be seen. At the hearing no rep
resentative appeared to state their position,
consequently they ought not to be consid-
cred In the present case. Alderman Nc
Cartney is ps.ager Of the Curled Hair
Company, but no one would dream for q
moment that he would use this advantage
to the detriment of somo of his fellow citi
zens.