The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-06-18
Superintendent Ordered to Make
Repairs on Public Buildings After
Sharp Debate--RepOrt on
Railroad Rates, Etc.

I communication from Edward G. Buck.
land, attorney for the road. and one
from the city engineer to the commits
| sioner OF public works, relative to the
right OF the railroad company In certain
! streets.
COMMITTEES REPORT.
The report OF the committee is as fol-
| lows:
! To the Honorable. the city Council of
| the City of Providence.
The joint special committee, appointed
under joint resolution OF the city council
| No. 81, approved March 3. 1900 begs to
submit the following report:
BY the resolution referred to. your
/ committee is directed To inquire into and
report, upon the three following specific
matters:
First What legislation is necessary
To secure for the citizens of Providence
a readjustment on a reasonable basis
OF freight and passenger rates at all ter
minal points?
Second Under what authority If any.
is the New York. New Haven and Hart
ford Railroad company using or occupy
ing, with it's rails or other structures.
city property. how much city property
is thus occupied and how long such oc-
cupation has been continued?
Third. Is said railroad company pay
Ing any tax TO the city, on rails and
structures occupying city land and If so.
what tax is il paying. and is such tax
fair and equitable as compared with the
tax assessed against other persons and
corpora tions?
These several questions will be taken
up In their order
Your committee has given much time
10 the consideration OF these matters and
TO the obtaining Of information relating
thereto. The several questions have been
..at fttII. ~ l. A.
committee among themselves and also
with the city solicitor, the commissioner
OF public works. the city engineer and
the assessors OF taxes. At the request OF
your committee, Mr.. Edward G. Buckland
attorney. and several department Off
cials OF the New York. New Haven and
Hartford railroad company. appeared and
gave information concerning some of the
matters covered by the resolution, and
later furnished. In writing, answers 20
certain questions propounded TO them by
your committee.
Although your committee entered upon
its work, under the resolution. with the
intention OF discharging its duties
promptly, unavoidable DELAYS have oc-
Cured Taking into consideration the
fact that important material promised
your committee was received as tate as
April $, 1901 IL is submitted, that your
committee have. under nl the circum-
stances, proceeded with reasonable dill
sence
FREIGHT AND PASSENGER RATES.
First In order TO report what leglsla-
ton is necessary IN the matter OF freight
and passenger rates Il is imperative. In
the first instance, TO determine what
evils exist which demand remedial ac- /
tion.
So far as the matter Of freight rates is
the information obtainable /
by your committee has been Of a most 4
and unsatisfactory character.
i.-e great diversity OF conditi.ns al I
~ged the almost endless wealth OF ex- I
ceptions real or fancied. TO goneral rules: 4
the great amount OF skill and technical \
lSno wledge claimed 10 be required IN the
OF differen situations and
I'm order 10 reach the solution
of any given question, together with the
reluctance. or positive refusal or our
consignees and shippers, to furnish in
formation. through fear OF the displeas-
are OF the railroad company. and the con-
'equent possible iuniction Of some pun
shment OF a discriminatory character.
'ender II impossible for your committee !
none OF whom are experts in freiBht
TO determine the existing
needs OF re-adjustment with that degree
'G certainty. essential 10 the recommenda-
ion OF legislative action.
Your committee believe. however. that
his subject should receive further atten-
ion, and that some person acquainted
With the technicalitcs OF freight trans
'ortation. should be employed either un-
Ter the direction OF your committee or
as the city council may de-
ermine. 10 make such investigation as
nay be required 20 more fully develop the
resent situation.
In regard TO passenger Transportation.
our committee finds that the rates I'm
rhode Island are not only unwarranta-
y high. for both single and commuta-
Ion tickets. but that such rates are
realty I'm excess OF those between New
'ork, New Haven, Hartford and Spring |
eld In Rhode Island single tickets are
old at the rate of from two and one. |
uarter to two and one-half cents per
lile ON the Providence, Stoninston and
divisions and until recently |
nd since the commencement Of this in