The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-04-04
new PARK HEARING
Quinsigamond Citi-
zens Rally in
Force.
CITY COUNCIL MEETS.
Attack OH New Telephone
Company BY Alder
man Wall.

The hearing granted by the city coun-
ell to the residents Of Quinsigamond
Village, who have petitioned the city to
purchase land in that section of the city
for public park, took up considerable
time at last nights meeting of the city
government
Richard H. Mooney was the princi-
pal speaker and was followed by several
others who set forth the desires of
their constituents. No particular site
was recommended, but instead there
seems a desire for number Of small
parks. The fact that there is nothing
of the sort in that end Of the city aside
from Crompton Park was set forth and
the necessity of children crossing the
railroad in reaching this playground
was explained. No action was taken.
The report OF the grade crossing COM
mission ELECTED no debate or discussion
in either branch. The report was re-
ceived and ordered printed. The order
introduced by Alderman O'Connell for
the appointment Of a special commit
tee to investigate the matter of grant
ing a. franchise to the Peoples Tele-
phone and Telegraph company devel-
oped warm discussion in the upper
board. but the order was finally de-
feated by a vote of 8 to 4
Alderman OConnell took exception
60 the report of the committee on
claims so far as related to William J.
Cronin for injuries occasioned by de-
fective sidewalk. The alderman
thought that the committee had not in
vestigated many cases as thoroughly
as 1t should and that recommending
leave to withdraw on so many petit
tions was Unable to involve the city in
law suits that could be settled much
easier.
On motion Of Alderman O'Connell the
order relative to purchasing a plant
for watering streets was laid over.
The most enlivenng feature Of last
nights session in the upper board was
occasioned by an order introduced by
Alderman OConnel, that the president
be empowered to appoint two members
of the board who, with the president,
the mayor, city engineer and city So
licitor. shall constitute committee to
confer with the officials Of the Peoples
Telephone and Telegraph Company rel
alive to the franchise asked by this
company at it's hearing a few weeks
ago.
The motion for adoption was prompt
lY seconded by Alderman Vaughan.
Alderman Wall was on his feet in an
instant saying that he wished the Or
der might be laid on the table. He
considered 1t slap in the face for the
committee on streets to have the mat
ter referred to special committee.
This was the signal for a somewhat
heated discussion between Aldermen
O'Connell and Wall. The former de-
MED any intention of taking anything
from the committee, but he could not
see how the committee on streets had
any particular control Of franchises.
He thought the whole board of alder
men WasIG committee in the matter at
issue He was sorry that the alder
man should have become so Wrathy
over the matter
Mr.. Wall replied that he was not
wrathy, but he considered from what
he could gather in the matter, that the
petition for a franchise before the COM
pany was capitalized, even, meant that
the scheme was to get a franchise
merely to sell out to the New England
or some other company as soon as re-
Ceived He considered t n new COM
pany a "snide" in his judgment, and
he was opposed to the granting Of the
franchise.
Mr.. O'Connell said he had not stated
whether the Peoples company was
good, or a "snide"; he merely wished
the matter thoroughly understood, so
that some recommendation could be
made.
= Mr.. Wall inquired why the alderman
was so anxious. He never asked for
a special committee in connection with
granting other franchises. Mr.. O'Con-
nell replied that not a single franchise
has come before the board since he was
a member until last night. The rea-
son he was in favor of investigating
the matter was that if the company
will do what 1t says, he should be glad
TO see it locate here He favored the
idea Of granting the franchise, provided
the financial ability of the company can
he ascertained beyond doubt and a
contract to do what they say is made.
II the company will not do what 1t
agrees to, it is not wanted. He could
not see why the gentleman was ap-
posed to getting information.
Mr. Wall was unable to see what
more information was wanted than
than that gained at the hearing. In
event Of two companies, a subscriber
would be Obliged to have. instruments,
and he could see no saving lie would
prefer to wait for something else.
Alderman O'Connell said the order
was prepared two weeks ago, but had
not been presented because some of the
members wished him to wait. Alder
man Barrett did not favor granting the
franchise at first, but thought the mat
Ter should be investigated, He could
not see how the order if passed would
take away any of the power OF the COM
mittee on streets.
The order was defeated by vote OF
: to 4. Aldermen Vaughan. Carberry,
Barrett and O'Connell in the aiilrma-
tive: Aldermen Brannon, Huol, Back
Kendall and Wall in the negative
On the petition of the Consoild3JeI
Street Railway for location OF TRACES
in Malvern road. it was voted TO grant
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