The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-10-02
THE TREES.
Grafton's Films
Her Pride.
(. GRAND EFFORT
To Preserve Them From
Slaughter By Electric Road.

Grafton, Oct. 1.-The hearing of the
Consolidated Street Railway Company,
held by the recommendation of the
state road commissioners in Town Hall
last evening for the purpose of legal
izing a location of it's tracks on the
east side OF Worcester street, instead
Of on the west side, as at present
granted by the selectmen, resulted in
motion by John E. Mcclellan to the
effect that the selectmen put forth ev-
cry possible effort to save the elegant
row OF elms at the foot of Worcester
street, being unanimously upheld by
the 80 voters present. The whole mat
ter of contention at the meeting was
that the road-bed of the electric rail-
way be located outside the row of elms
at the "causeway," which, in the
words of Hon. George K Nichols,
forms "a natural and sublime entrance
to this hilltop village"
The Consolidated company was not
represented at the meeting, except by
the chairman of the board of select
men, Francis r. Huckins, who pre-
sented the spectacle of a man trying
TO carry two sides of a debate Mr.
Huckins called the meeting to order,
read the petition as posted, and stated
briefly that in accordance with the To-
cation suggested by the state road
commissioners, the Consolidated Com
pany would cut down these much
priced elms, and build shoulder on
the east side of the road for the found
alton of it's tracks.
Opposition to the removal of the
trees was Immediately raised by Hon.
George K. Nichols, who was followed
by Clarence R. Pratt, John e. McClel-
Ian and Thomas Wilmarth Mr.
Pratt made lengthy and urgent plea
for the preservation Of the trees, and
in drawing conclusion, said: LAS
much as l have fought for the road,
would rather it would not come to
town than have that row of trees de-
stroyed."
The sentiment of the meeting was
that the electric railway be built out
side the Jurisdiction of the road COM
rnissioners, which would cause it to
curve into the field so as to pass the
trees, but Chairman Huckins, who is
at the present time employed by the
Consolidated Company to see that the
Worcester Construction Company full
fills Its contract, and is of course work
ing in the Consolidated's interest to
considerable extent. could not seem
to understand how the town could rule
above the road commissioners. Mr..
Mcclellan readily made it clear to all
present that the commissioners could
have no control over an electric road
which runs through private land, and
that is where the citizens Of Grafton
intend to put the Consolidated at this
point If the handsome shade cannot be
saved in any other way.
Through negligence in parliamentary
ruling, the meeting was dissolved with
out vote being taken on the sole
question for which it was called, viz
the matter Of changing the location of
the tracks, but the sentiment expressed
during the entire meeting showed that
the people care little which side of the
highway the road is built, so long as
this particular row of shade trees is
unframed.
During the evening, Clarence r.
Pratt took opportunity to speak Of Mr..
Mcclellan as "our senator elect" and
that achiever of political honors was
instantly subjected to several rounds
OF applause and cheers.