The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-03-31

of desirability and feasibility, but in
the light of possible future contin-
senCy as well.
After reviewing the proposed condi-
ton of affairs using the diagrams in
Illustration Mr.. Bates stated that the
estimate of the Allen commission for
land damages alone with elevated
tracks. is estimated at $500, 900, while
with the proposed plan but four or five
streets will be affected and these but
slightly giving but little chance for
damages to result.
The question OF who will pay the at
tending cost of the work depends on
me ability of the men who represent
worcester in the great and general
court. If the people determine what
they Will or will not have; if they say
they will not have elevated embank-
ments, forts and earthworks if it can
be avoided, they will be heard.
AS to the cost of the new channel for
NIL! brook, 1t should be reckoned as a
part or the whole expense in the gen
eral plan of doing away with grade
crossings
Aside from the dollars and cents in
vowed in the proposition another seri-
Gus objection may be brought forth 10
the plan of elevated tracks
North OF Lincoln square is a body Of
water, covering an area of 226 acres
comprising 100000 cubic feet of water.
The dam confirming this body of water
was condemned some years ago by the
county commissioners. A few years
later the dam was repaired by the
Washburn & Moen company, so as to
give that company a right to use the
water for various purposes. Engineers
state, however, that the dam is not
safe at the present time.
Ihis immense body of water Is 70 feet
/ | rl19e
the mouth of Millbrook With the pro-
posed system Of arches and embank-
ments necessitated by elevated tracks,
the same condition of affairs is in evil
dence as existed in Johnstown, previous
to the great food.
Inc horrors Of that calamity are
known to every one, but It is not neces-
Sdty 10 go outside OF Worcester for an
OBJECT lesson. In JOhnst1wn the same
system of arches and embankments ex-
lsted, the causeways were soon filled
with floating timber and trees, and the
water backed up covering the town.
MI. Bates thought that if the people
knew and understood that what is de-
signed can be secured for a little over
S2Q0'oOO, they would say as one man.
we Will not have these dangerous i'll
looking things here"
The speaker did not wish for conten-
tion with the city government. but
! thought the remonstrants should be
! heafd. IT the people are united they
VIII get equity at the general court.
~. w. Aoarcrombie, principal of the
worcester academy, said he felt IN
competent to say anything on the sub
JeCl, ne could only say that he had been
nost heartily convinced that depressed
ti',hS are what the city should have.
ana should so away thoroughly in ia
feasible. ll'
HIephen g. Earle said: | reluctantly
| accepted the conclusions of the last re-
poIl-thaI OF the commission of 1898.
gnu sald 10 some of the commissioners
| llat / ana not see how they could de-
| Gide 70 recommend otherwise than they
ulu. But IN the light Of the further in
Vestlgatlons that have been made, and
Win the guarantees of feasibility and
cos OF making new waterway for
MN brook as shown by the plan be-
Tore us, | must still consider the
scheme OF depressed tracks as the only
satisfactory solution of the problem.
Iaklhg INTO consideration the cost OF
damages that would be incident to
raising the tracks, and the freedom
from damages with depressed tracks,
u would seem as il the ultimate cost of
oppressed tracks would not greatly, if
at all, exceed that Of the other arrange
ment which If carried out would be an
nreparable injury to our beloved city.
II we can accomplish the great enter
prise OF depressing the railroad tracks
through the central portion of the city
II VIII be an Improvement of the great
est N-.l,.i,.iry lu Worcester indeed it