The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-01-18


bit like that culled fiom the manual OF
picturesque Camdop, y. j., was before
the Council plan that had the approval
of tho railroad Of the city sn1ineer and
OF others whom the people would ordi-
more than they would 5e disposed to give
Mr.. Sturges for instance, the job. IL Is
reasonable to believe that those plans,
endorsed by men qualified TO PASS upon
| such matter were all that could be
desired bur, II they were not, the railroad
and the experts stood ready to modify
thom TO practically any extent required,
just as the plans OF the depot itself were
modified until even the inexpert pro
fessed satisfaction. But no. there could
be no modification. The trnin shed com
mittee had plan already cut out OF a
magazine, and that and that only must
be the plan that the RAILROAD must
is discouraging to the lovers OF true re-
form, TO the smiters of soulless railroad
corporation, to the tyrant smashers, and
to all others the fury of whose words Is
supposed to be calculated TO rend the
everlasting hills, to hear that tho tain
shed committee In its gracousness Is
"willing" to modify" the Camden half
tone plan to make 1t lit the actual situa-
ticn in Providence.
Ii is, indeed, serious question yet
TO be decided whether the train shed
committee has any busiress whatsoever
to even suggest what kind Of a train
shed shall be built. That committee was
originally appointed TO assist the city's
law department In proceeding with this
petition for an Injunction to prevent
occupation of the depot by the railroad
until train shed shall be provided. In
deed, nothing Is very clear about any
point in the grievous situation except
that the deadlock must await the decis-
ion of the court before even a single
move can be made toward either open
ing the depot to the public service or
putting up any kind of a train shed. 1t
Is now OF no significance what the train
sb.A nto lint xviI
modify until IL Is learned whether the
comm ittse itself Is entitled to that res
pect that can only be accorded an indis-
putable authority. such authority on
the part,of the railroad exists In the per-
son Of Its president but whether the city
is equally fortunate In being properly
represented in the controversy Is hardly
determined. Unseeinly as the discussion
has been, intolerant as has been the po-
sition of the men who have assumed to
represent tho municipal corporation, IL
would be some satisfaction to know that,
at least, the city would not now be made
ridiculous in Its contest. as Ii plainly
has been placed in an unbusinsss like
attitude In Its dealings with another COR
poration on a matter Of grave public
Importance.
One thing ia plain, the president of..ths
Consolidated Is not a man that IL is easy
to bulldoze. He is not to be brow beaten
or scared. HIS position today is exactly
what would be assumed by any citizen of
Providence similarly situated. No on
gseement made by the Consolidated rail
road with the municipal corporation has
ever been defsulted, and there never was
any ground for fear that all contracts
and undertakings would not be carried
out to the end and in liberal spirit. So
thought the public and 81 thought the
Providence Journal, when, on Septem-
ber 20, last, 1t hailed the opening of the
new depot and recognized the expediency
Of having the train shed matter suspend
cd until trial had indicated just what
was needed in that line. A fortnight
later that unfortunate magazine picture
bobbed up, an Injunction was served on
the railroad, keeping IL and tho public
out Of the depot, Don Quixote Sturges
buckled on his armor. and forthwith the
public and the railroad were mutually
disconcerted that they were being set to
fighting like . coupIe OF irresponsible
dogs in apit. There was to be no bust
ness-liks discussion, no compromising.
"This Is fight between the city and the
Consolidated declared Mr.. Sturges
And that was one statement In which
Mr.. sturges was entirely sound and cor
rect. 1t is fight. more's the pity.
And so from step to step this wretched
business has proceeded until only resort
a. A.. A..