The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-07-27
HARBOR IMPROVEMENT.
Board of Trade Taking Active Meas
ures 10 Promote h,
Shippers and Business Men ranVasssd as
TO City Ownership Of Docks u.

Ine Ol lfadt 20 tNluFntlX UQtGr-
mined to do all In its power DO carry
out the proposed plan of municipal
ownership OF docks along the wafer
front from about Henderson street TO
Sassafras Point, on the West Side of
the river, because the members OF the
board OF trade fully believe that the
carrying out OF such a plan will large
ly increase the importance and com
merce of the port OF Providence. For
the purpose of ascertaining The general
sentiment of the leading shippers OF
merchandise and OF the prominent bust
ness men Of the city. the board of
trade is sending out circulars as fol-
lows:
Answers to the following questions,
with whatever comments you may wish
to make W.. be greatly appreciated by
the Providence board OF trade:
II. Are you in favor of municipal
ownership of city docks?
"2. In view of the fact that IN other
cities municipal ownership and i'm
provement OF dock facilities has in
creBseu Vne tiauc anu commerce of
those ports. should not the city OF
Providence seek to increase its trade
and commerce in the same manner?
"3. In view of the fact that the es-
adjustment OF several new lines OF
steamers between the port of Provi
dence and other ports is almost assured.
does IL not seem that the city would be
justified I'm spending 100000 on in
Ill
of inducing the establishment of new
lines?
"a. Would not the rental OF docks OF
itself in all probability become a
source of revenue to the city COM
mensurate with its expenditures?
'5. Would not property increase I'm
value in the vicinity OF proposed new
docks?
&c. Would 1T not be a judictous in
vestment for the city to plat off into
lots that portion OF land lying between
Aliens avenue on the west and the
proposed new avenue near the bulk
head; this being a considerable area OF
land, which might be used for the
building OF small dwelling houses.
Warehouses, foundries and such build
ing as U.S. in the manufacture of
heavy machinery and other merchan-
disc in bulk?
EXPECTING REPLIES.
Secretary Webb OF the Board of
Trade expects. in a day or two. 20 re-
ceive answers to this circular. and the
tenor of the replies will, he believes. do
a great deal towards moulding public
opinion. and he hopes TO see the matter
taken hold OF by the city council as
early as possible in the fall. 1t is said
that in the meantime that some of the
land desired by the promoters of the
plan OF municipal ownership OF docks
is being sold, and IL such is the case the
sooner the needed land is secured by
the city, at reasonable price, the
better.
In regard to the question which sug-
gests that the city should plat off into
lots that portion of land lying between
Aliens avenue on the west and the pro-
posed new avenue near the bulkhead
for the building OF small dwelling
houses. storehouses. foundries and
such buildings as are used in the man
-afaeturiHg- of heavy machinery and
other merchandise in bulk, a promi-
nent business man said this morning
that he believed that IL would be a
most judicious investment upon the
part of the city. and he said that he
had no doubt that the returns from
such a venture would be quite large.
He understood that this land could be
secured for very reasonable price, IL
something was done about II soon.
Mayor Baker was asked this morn
ing, what the situation was in regard
to the public dock plan. and he replied
that there was nothing new for the
present. although he had heard all
sorts OF stories. A member Of the city
government, who favors the plan, be-
lieved that something should be done
just as soon as the city council re-
sumes business in September, and he
said that he thought the members OF
both branches could be made TO see the
great advantages that would accrue 10
the city by the adoption of the Dan
proposed.