The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-12-24
FaWTUxET VALLEY

After a strong opposition by one, Henry
Mcmahon, the Crompton Fire district last
| night decided to build reservoir. and TO
| supply their own water TO be used
throughout the district for fire purposes.
| At 1880 the meeting came TO order with
Henry ID. Heydon in chair and heated
session. lasting over two hours and
half resulted. The call was read by the
clerk. William Houston, which Included
| the following. To hear the report or the
| committee 10 make contract 10 supply
| water to the Crompton Fire district; TO
| build and maintain a water works; TO Is
sue bonds 10 raise the sum needed Tor
such project; to enter into agreement
for supply OF water and for pumping the
same; TO accept amendment 10 district
charter and TO transact any other busi-
ness which might legally come before
the meeting. The sixth clause was elm
mated and the battle was on.
Mr.. Mcmahon began his attack by ac-
cusing the committee which was com
posed OF c. ID. Robinson. James Com
mesky and f. A. Whitford OF not acting
fairly He said that they had not tried
to make contracts with the Warwick and
Coventry Water company. but that they
had only written to the president and had
not gone to see him personally. He also
wanted to know who gave the -commitee
authority to spend money In making
measurement. drawing plans and going
ahead with the business of constructing
water works To this Harry Marsh re-
| piled that the matter had been left In
the hands OF the committee, who were
capable men and II was for them 10 do as
they saw best. Mr.. Whitman also added
that Mr.. Robertson and himself had gone
and seen Mr.. Arnold. president OF the
water company. personally. ana that they
could get no satisfaction.
Nothing daunted, Mr.. Mcmahon moved
that the committee be discharged. as
they had not worked I'm the interest or
the district. When the question was put.
whether or not to discharge the COM
mitee the thunder OF the yeas was
echoed by Mr.. McMahon's solitary mo"
Mr.. Johnson then moved that the re-
port OF the committee be received and
that the district construct reservoir,
lay pipes for the supplying of water TO
the district. and that bonds be issued TO
raise the $40, 900 necessary for the same.
Considerable discussion followed this
move and Mr.. Robinson said that the
matter ought TO be squarely dealt with.
He then outlined very clearly the ad-
vantages which would be gained not only
! financially for the district, but OF the ex-
| ira security which would be furnished by
| the new plant and as the Crompton com
| pany had offered to pump the water into
| the reservoir free OF charge II they should
| be allowed a few privileges. he said that
| he ard the others OF the committee
| thought the project very feasable one.
| Mr.. Mcmahon spitefully said that the
| corporation had saved enough on taxes
| TO afford TO do that. Mr.. Marsh retorted
that as the Warwick and Coventry Water
company had paid no tax for the past
three years. they ought to have been able
to have afforded a little better services.
Thomas Scofield remarked that he OBJ
jected on the grond Of an increased tax
which would be necessary TO pay for the
water works.
Finally the question was put and the
noes were scarcely audible; after the
overwhelming majority Of those In favor.
Mr.. McMahon said he doubted. however.
and the vote was cast by ballot which
resulted In 3S i'm favor and s opposed.
Mr.. Johnson then moved that bonds be
Issued under conditions started before to
| defray the expenses or the enterprise.
| After considerable discussion the question
| was called for and Mr.. McMah6n,s voice
alone was heard upon the opposed side.
| He doubted again, however. and another
| half hour was consumed In voting by
| ballot the result being 3S In favor and six
opposed. Somewhere during the conflict
| Mr.. Mcmahon losing two OF his adhercrs.
Arthur Lovett then read the agreement
| which the Crompton company submitted,
which Included the before stated condi-
| tions More debate of a warm nature
| followed and some amusement was
| caused when the chairman asked Mr.. Nc
| Mahon IL he would like the ballots used
| before putting the question. lie said he
would and the ballots were prepared.
| This time tho opposing faction lost two
more. who had probably become dis
| gusted with their leaders spitefulness.
and the vote stood IS In favor and four
| opposed.
| IL was then voted 70 adjourn II then
| being after 10 O'Clock. one OF tho com
mittee then playfully asked Mr.. Mona
| hon, who Is q mason, and has done con-
| siderable work for the school district. N
\ nc wouldn't like TO bid upon the job. the
| laughter drowning his reply
Another informal meeting was held on
| the sidewalk directly outside with Mr.
| Mcmahon as the center OF large crowd.
lie talked until the actions of the crowd
seemed rather uncertain and probably for
| safety he disappeared. defeated. The
| question in the minds of most Of those
there Is, why did Mr.. Mcmahon so
oppose the project which has thus far
been so favorably accepted by the tax
| payers In gcneralY
Yesterday the Warwick officers were
busy upon the trail of Peter varat an es-
capped convict OF the state reform school
IL II we'll known that the boy was about
the valley on Monday night. as he for
merly lived here and was recognized by
number. but as tho news OF his escape
had not been heard about no attention
was paid TO him. ~ being supposed that
he had served his time and had been re-
leased. At the last reports Varat had
not been captured and it Is thought that
he went TO Woonsocket, where his pa
| rents i've