The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-12

aud it would bestow an air of thrift and
business in the heart of the town to be
seen OF all men and and women. too. and
by the stranger who temporarily stops
over under the train sheds Of the new
railroad station.
What this town needs is moro ginger in
advertising places and there nev.r was n
itself than on this great square under the
noses Of citizens or transient visitors
The down town business men agreo
that the Market square site Is too small.
but they believe that the space should be
utilized for some usefui or revenue get
ting puroose At present beyond the
space occupied by south Water and Dyer
streets. and = foot bridge and railroad
bridge for the passage of freight cars, the
big square is Of no earthly consequence.
OUGHT TO BE BRIDGED.
II ought to TO bridged over. and they
think that now is the time to do it before
the completion of the big work of builC-
ing abutments on which to rest some
thing that Is OF no value to the city. The
abutment walls ara to extend TO the outer
extremity OF Crawford street bridge. and
before the time for bridging over arrives
permission could be obtained from the
legislature to do the work so that the city
could let occupy or uso for general busi-
ness purposes the space that is now sur
rounded by an iron guard rail over which
Crawford street tramps or wayfaters look
at the sluggish water as IL comes and
goes with the tide. The place Is not
picturesque at best and landlords and
tenants in the vicinity would rejoice at
the muzz ing OF SON elof tue perfume that
a al
Privileges could be let here that would
in time pay for the Improvement Com
missioner Of Public Works Robert L.
Smith says the bridging over the place
space would cost the city lot OF money !;
more money than the space is worth, but
1t would bs good thing TO do If the city
could afford it.
Those interested In city enterprises,
however. declare that such valuable space
right in the heart of other cities not half
the size of Providence. would be turned 10
value in short order, regardless OF cost.
If the work is to DO done IL ought to be
done now when everything Is being torn
up ana the cost of sailing up the whole
square would be reduced TO the lowest
possible point.
Ii might not be utilized for q public
market. but there are plenty OF other
things il could be used for In public or
private business.
MIR. SMITHS OPINION.
Commissioner Smith is of the opinion
that the space from Market square, north
to the Burnside bridge ought to DO
covered over and IL could be done at
comparatively small cost. as foundations
for the work are already In. 1t was in
the scheme to bridge this space over some
time in the future. and plans were laid
accordingly.
The same scheme could be carried out
on the south side OF Market square, so
that II spasm of enterprise aid strike
the city 1t would not be impoverished
in carrying it out.
Commissioned Smith is OF the opinion
that with the whole of the north sido
bric ged over and oil distractions. such
ms street railway station. and fire station
removed the city would have great out
let to the north, for either railroad facil-
tiles, or manufacturing development Ger
tainly town never had better oppor-
tuities TO relieve itself Of copgested con.
dition than the city of Providence.