The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-04-14
Another Hearing on the
Disposition of II.
MR.. FISHERS CONTENTION
Holds That Property Should Be Sold
For Benefit OF City.
ARGUMENTS ON THE OTHER SIDE

The second hearing on the proposed dis-
posal of the land adjoining the new pas
senger station and of Exchange Place.
was held In the Common Council last
evening. there being quits large attend
ance. The meeting was called to order
by exCouncilman Sturgss OF the special
COMMITTEES. In the absence Of Mayor
Baker, the other members Of the COM
inittee being Alderman Mccarthy and
Councilman Cooke.
Among tho prominent gentlemen pres
ent were ex-Gov. ID. Russell Brown,
ex- City Engineer Snedd, Hon. Benjamin
Lapham, Alfred Stone Reuben A. Guild,
Councilman Sisson, ex-AJderman Pierce,
Addison Z. Fisher and several others.
The first gentleman to address the CON-
mittee was Mr.. A. q. Fisher, who re.
peated In substance the argument he
made at tho former hearing. claiming
that after the layout OF streets had been,
made there would 200, O0U square feet of
land for sale, whicn would bring s., O00
OOO, and, perhaps, more. for he believed
some of It would bring $1b a foot. he
claimed the land was especially suited
for business purposes, and the CITY could
not afford to devote this land to park or
other public purposes, in view OF Its heavy
debt. Mr.. Fisher asserted that park
adjoining the depot would become simply
q lounging place for tramps, and fur
thermore . park was not needed In tne
borne down by tax OF $l.65 Ger 500, and
1t Is time to call halt.
Ex-Gov. Brown spoke briefly. and said
that he believed In public parke, tut he
was opposed to using the land in ques-
tion for park purposes. he believed that
q majority Of the business people OF the
oity were In favor Of using the laud for
business purposes. and he firmly: believed
that IL used for business purposes property
in the viclnity would increase in value.
Rents on Exchange place are now much
lower than on Westminster street, and
with other business houses directly oppo-
site the present buildings 1t would stim-
ulato business in that vicinity and en-
hanoe the value Of the present property.
mir. Reuben A. Guild agreed with Mr..
Fishers argument, and was opposed to
using the land for park purposes.
Mr.. George d. Briggs said that work
ingmen who toiled all day needed some
breathing place where they can rest and
breathe in the centre OF the city when
their work was oompleted. Ttis land
should be devoted to park purposes; let
the next generation sell IL II IL thinks
proper to 10 30. but the workingmen of
today have right e shis spot to rest and
think in.
Mr: William Millen was strongly op-
posed to q park ON the land. claiming
that an undesirable class OF persons
would occupy the settees He believed In
having AN open space large enough for
the military and osher organizations to
meet, but ne wanted to Sue fine build.
Hon. Benjamin Lapham was asked by
Mayor baker II he had any views on the
matter, and he replied that q high rate
OF taxation was injurious to any city.
and the rate should be kept down as low
~ possible. he believed, In short time
the tax in Providence would be go on
$1,000, and he th0ught the city was at
very critical period of its history. Mr.
Lapham then reviewed some OF the re-
marks made at the former hearing, and
decrisd the idea Of using the land for
park purposes. The land could te spd
for large sum and this sum would go
far toward paying the debts Of the city.
He closed BY saving that IL would be ex-
ceedingiy iDjudicious to use this property
for park purposes, and not for business
purposes.
Mr.. Thomas Gilbare ala not think
there worln be any demand for the land
the idea Of holding on TO IL until favor
able opportunity to sell arrived.
Mr. William A. Hughes said that as q
small taxpayer he Was In favor Of devot-
ing the land for park purposes as there
ought to be some places In the oentIe Of
the city for the people to use as breathing
spots. He rather doubted the sincerity
or the gentlemen who appeared 10 be so
solicitous for the welfare OF the small
taxpayers.
Mr.. Amasa NJ. Eaton spoke In favor of
the park project and denied that there
was any reason TO fear that such a park
would become the resort OF trsmps. He
believed that IL would be great mis-
take TO use the land for business pur-
poses, aud made q strong argument In
favor of using IL for park, and he be-
iieved In having place upon which
troops could be paraded.
Mr.. Alfred stone said that It was TAX
ing too short view when she argument
of turning this land into money was
made. and he instnnced what had been
done in other citics in this direction,
speaking potablv OF Beston, Chicago,
Baltimore and Hartford. He was heartily
In favor Of tue park project. for he be-
lieved IL would prove 10 he . blessing to
ths PEOPLE of Providence, and also q
benefit to the city as q corporation.
The bearing was then adjourned and
the committee will consider the merits OF
the auestfou from ALI eta nd noints