The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-10-04
Petitioners Give Evidence but Com
pany'S Side Exceptionally Strong.
Other Business of the Board
of Aldermen.

There was a large audience AZ the meet
sng of the board OF aldermen, yesterda!
afternoon, and the spectators were al
personally Interested in the early ant
most important part OF the proceedings
consideration of the petition of william
III. Harris and others relative 20 the OF
works of the Phetteplsce company OF
South Angeli street.
Promptly at o'clock Mayor Granger
called to order eight members OF th'
Board, the two absentees being Alderman
Reynolds and winsor. The minutes Of
she previous special meeting as read bS
City Clerk Clarke were read and approved
and then the aldermen settled down tC
business as hoard OF health.
RathbOne Gardner, ESQ, represented the
petitioners, while the Interests OF th'
Phetteplaee Olive oil Importing compan,
were legally guarded by Attorneys Til
ainghast and Murdock.
BY way OF Introduction Attorney Gard
nor stated that the original petition des-
Jgnated the remonstrants as the Phette'
place Oil company" but he would like 10
amend by adding a word or two and make
81 the Phetteplaca Olive Oil Importing
company. and no objection was offered.
IIe also explained that the petitioners
were owners or occupants OF property al
the lower end OF South Angel street.
They asked under Chapter ss of the Cen
rl Laws OF Rhode Island that their
health and comfort" be considered, that
the odors arising from the oil works were
nauseating and should be abated by de-
rlaring the worKs nuisance.
The establishment OF the business by
the company had disturbed the comfort
and In some cases caused temporary III
ness among members of certain families
residing in the vicinity
lie called as the first witness William
II. Harris originator and first signer OF
the petition and from his anxiety 10 tes-
tify he was preiudiced and unduly par
ffaf wftness. ffts deep and keetftt
denced interest was best shown by his en-
deayor to impress upon the board the
fact that he had lost one tenant be-
cause the latters wife was made Ill
through the alleged offensive odors which
were sickening to delicate stomach.
In reply TO a question by Alderman Nc
Carthy, he admitted he had not sought
relief by reporting to the superintendent
or board of health.
FORMER TENANT TESTIFIEs.
Ernest c. Smith. former tenant of Mr..
Harris was the second witness. and ne
and his family had lived there since June.
1899 hut he had moved out Oct. ]. only
few days ago. He had been away
most of the time during the summer MAX
ing periodic visits 10 home when his wifo
would complain OF the offensive odors and
more than once made her sick. The odors
were very nauseating and few whiffs from
an open window might make person of
delicate stomach yomit. The intensity of
the odors depended whetNsr the works
were running or not and the direction OF
the wind.
On cross examination he admitted that
Che alleged odors had never made him
sick
Frank II. Anthony corroborated Mr..
Smith as To the nauseating character of
the odors which on some days were ex-
tremely bad, although he had never pass
ed more than two days a week at his
home during the summer.
George G. Tlngley also affirmed the
nauseating character or the odors He
noticed an Improvement of late. but never
had he or his wife been sick from the
edors.
Alvin r. Martin lives with his family
about 400 feet from the works. IL was
not a decomposing animal matter smell
but sweet. sickening odor, and he had
frequent complaints from his family,
though never made sick therefrom HIM
self. He and his family had remarkably
strong stomachs and that was probably
why ther were not made 10 Vomit or
visibiy affected. He believed during cool
weather there would be relief
Judge Sphinx testified that the odors
were not noticeable when the wind was
from the east
George II. Leland house owner, testi-
fed that during the summer several of
his tenants asserted that they could not
stand the odors and would have 10 move
away. lie did not say they have as yet
moved.
J. Herbert Shedd, former city engineer.
was the last witness 10 testify for the
petitioners. Thirty years ago he had
built in that locality, II then being a
salubrious spot and chiefly residential
until few years ago. when industrial
plants began % locate IN the neiahbor-
hood. He did not live there himself now
and consequently could not speak as 10
The odOrs. But he had received com
plants from some or his tenants Who
eaid they couldn't and wouldn't STAY.
Attorney Gardner stated that hts r..
rasining witnesses. ten or dozen were
women and as their testimony would he
jn a similar vein ne would not take nm
the time ot The hoard unless desired by
that body. ie would. therefore. rest.
SENSE VS. SENTIMENT.
Attorney r. W T1inghast. ono Of IN,
rompanys counsel. said I'm answer 20 "A
question by Alderman Vincent that there
was an odor arising from the works. but
ss 20 the character ~ the odor there
was difference ~ opinion. The odor
would not cause sickness and --~ ques.
lion was whether he odor was disagree
able or not ~ II Is disagreeable. then
,he board would have a right 20 close
fbe factory The company was ready Ia
do anything that could be done 10 pre-.
vent the odOr. 10 has considered some
suggesii0ns aud proposed improvements
and was certainly willing 10 make any
reasonable changes 10 eliminate the al
legged nausestine odors that the board ~
hfsith might deem proper.
m reply to "a qdcstion cf Alderman
DAVIS a. 10 The cmp'oves Attorney TIL
UItllaFr HTrTTrFT1 Tn7f rf7H rrUTfU-rv " rfTr
works vero ~ hcaltbfl aud no case OF
slincss direct or Indirect has been report.
sd. .fven one Of the employees admitted
the desire ~ enjoying q vacation hut
.oiild not ask Tor one on tho Eround of
feaith.
N n evident the eDmpany's position A.
fsir and reasonable one. ready 20 make
sudicious snc mutual concessions, az