The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-11-19

commissioners OF public works and the
CITY engineer your committee is convinced
,hat ihis Is very liberal offer, and that
II adopted II will result I'm a very great
saving I'M The expense Of keeping the
sifeets IN repair. II Is we'll known that
ne most extensively travelled streets are
NOSE ~ which the rails Uf the Union
Railroed company are located. ana many
OF these streets have Co be frequently
rebuili because the macadam surfa cling
soon blown away after IA Is put down.
because the abuttirg owners arc not al
WAYS Inclined 10 pay for street sprinkiing.
me city council has heretofore failed 10
make any general provision for street
sprinkling F."
The committee, as q measure Of high
way economy, recommended that the
commissioners OF public works be au-
ihorlzed 10 cause about 81 miles OF streets
TO he sprinkled with water during the
season from April until November In
each year and 10 furnish the water free
or charge, providing he can arrange 10
have the work done by the Union Rail-
road company at nominal price, not TO
exceed Is cents per mile
An ordinance authorizing the commits
sloner 10 enter into an arrangement with
the Union Railroad company and provid-
ing that the work shall be begun next
season accompanied the report.
The watering Of the 50 miles OF streets
would cost about 5000, IL was explained
while watering with carts would cost
Sl7,0o0,
CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTION.
Mr.. Cooke thought It was a constItu-
tional question whether money could he
taken from the city treasury for the bene-
NJ or those who happen 10 live on the
streets through which the lines OF the
nfnn 1ofI
those who live on other streets have TO
pay for the watering OF the streets on
which they live
Mr.. Parsons said he did not think this
was a favored appropriation. II is
heneht 10 the highway and should not be
considered as benefit purely for those
who live on the line on the streets
Mr. Ilggins said the watering Of the
streets would he the same as electric
lighting. lie had lived on street for
eight years and had been unable 20 get
an electric light on Il. and still he paid
taxes To defray the expense OF lighting
other streets
motion to refer the resolution to the
committee on ordinances was defeated.
Mr.. Cushing did not agree with Mr.
Cooke that the taking OF money for
watering streets was Illegal IL was a
provision for the safety and convenience
of people who travel through the public
streets.
Mr.. Devlin moved to amend the resolu-
ton by striking out go miles and in
serting "all the streets i'm the city"
Mr.. Massie said there were some streets
through which the cars are run that could
not be watered. IL would be unsafe 10
water asphalt, and with the cars run
ming on each side Of Elmwood avenue the
roadway on that avenue could not be wa
tered
On motion of Mr. Massle the papers
were laid on the table ard ordered print
ed.
Also a report upon the petition OF Sam
uel NJ Gray and others asking for an
electric car line I'm Reservoir avenue and
recommending an ordinance authorizing
the Union Railroad company TO lay rails
and TO erect poles and wires in Reservoir
avenue from Elmwood avenue TO the city
line.
Mr.. Piece and Mr.. Preshrey both ad-
vocated the passage OF the ordinance,
and IL was unanimously passed
REPORT: NO RECOMMENDATION.
Councilman Trask. chairman of the
committee on accounts. presented a re-
port OF the findings OF that body I'm re-
gard 10 the conduct OF the public build
ings department by SuDt. Mansfield The
committee held a number Of hearings
during the past summer and heard many
witnesses. but the report contains no rec
The committee in the
report simply states that IL has exa mined
A number of Witnesses In regard to the
character OF the work performed and the
charges therefor.
The superintendent. the committee
states, was duly notified of all the hear
InRs and appeared at the same with
counsel, who made such cross-eNamina-
ton of witnesses as de deemed neces-
sary. After hearing the witnesses called
py lhe committee the committee heard
all the testimony which the superintend-
ent saw nt 10 produce, and his counsel |
was heard later
After duly considering the testimony
The committee states that in many cases |
work was not done in skilful or work |
maalike manner, that no estimates were |
ever obtained by the superintendent In |
ADVANCE as TO what would he charged |
Tor such work, and that no objections
vefe ever made by him 10 the amounts so !
charged, but the bills for the same were |
allowed without examination as 10 the |
Of the charges. The COM
nittee stated that IL also appeared tina |
lone OF such work was supervised or SUI. |
by the superntend or
anyone in his behalf or in behalf of the |
,ity.
Accompanying the report was YER |
)a tim copy Of the testimony. and upon |
notion or Councilman Masse the docu-
nents were ordered communicated 10 the |
BOARD of aldermen.
Mr.. Trask presented a report from the |
on accounts as follows: The |
'pectfuliy report that at n meeting Of \
aid committee Nov. Is 1901. the follow |
ng resolution was adopted Resolved. |
That because in our opinion there are |
,yercharges. eNorbitant prices and infe- |
'ior quality OF work and materials the |
oint standing committee on accounts de- |
line TO approve the following bills /
lgainst tho city Of Providence certified |
w the superintendent OF public buildings |
md approved hy the committee on civ \
property: ". ~. Chadsey a. Co. $3.50 0i 4
n. y. ChadSey Co, Np0I0: William /
'ondry & Sons. sllS.S2; William Condry a. /
sons. $685.; William Coudry a. Sons |
1850: Westcott, Slade e. Balcom com \
AMY 030. Michael Lyons. s67. 25: |
;tarkweathcr e. Williams company. $40 |
nd refer the same To the city council |
,ir Massie moved that the report he re-
eived and transmitted To the board OF |
ldermen. That action was taken.
Mr.. Trask also reported from the COM |
nittee bills amounting 10 $bl63 which were |
n excess Of the appropriation for the hs- |
al year ending Sept 30 1900 contrary to |
he provisions OF chapter l3 OF the city |
rdinanccS.
MIR Perkins presented a resolution di-
Getting the city auditor Co pay the bills |
le said every year the committee on city 1
r. directed To rcnoVate the school |
buildings and do other work. Heating /
pparatus is overhauled and other work |
Is ~ IN. tell ,tI