The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-06-17
Resolution for ViaduCt Referred
but There Will Be New Bridge
Over WOOnaSQuatuCkct-- t--Other
Council DOingS.

eouncil. previous 10 the summer respite.
was held last evening and IL proved an
interesting session.
There were half dozen absentees,
however. and they will hardly have OPP
portunity TO place themselves on record
Cor their own political benefit or enlight-
eminent OF their constituents until the
FIRST Monday in September unless a
special meeting be called in the mean
time.
Promptly at o'clock President Ken
drick assumed his accustomed place and
the records OF the previous meeting as
read and recorded by Clerk Hayden were
Approved.
The first business came from the com
lmittee on finance through Chairman
lNassie. The committee made a joint
report upon a resolution permitting the
committee on city property 10 make re-
pairs on buildings during the summer
and the petition OF the fire commissioners
for an additional appropriation for their
department.
finance committee recommended indefinite
postponement OF the resolution; voted.
Simar action was taken. there being no
funds available and the fire commission
ers were given leave 10 withdraw their
Petition.
HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT
Chairman Leonard. from the committee
on highway. reported favorably resolu-
tions for the layout of Tuxedo avenue and
Catalpa road. Passed
Grades were ordered TO be defined on
Hassan and Gray streets upon recon-
mendation OF the same committee.
But as TO defining grade on Grand
View street, the committee presented an
unfavorable report.
Upon investigation the committee found
that a grade had been defined in 1897
and therefore. the petitioners were given
leave TO withdraw.
william Hawkins was permitted 10
move n building, and the petition OF the
Butler Exchange company to build con-
duits IN and across Hay street was re-
ferred TO the committee on highways
Next came from the committee on high
ways with recommendation OF passage
resolution TO hire 100000 for and direct
ing the commissioners OF public works
10 build a bridge including the abutments
and approaches therefor over the Woon-
asquatucket river in the line OF Eagan
and Chatlett streets. The recommenda-
tion OF the committee was approved.
"A petition for the layout OF Grand street
from Potter's avenue TO Huntington ave-
nue.. was referred TO the committee on
highways
Mr. Sisson presented a petition OF the
a part of Ivy street TO Pleasant street,
Referred to the committee on highways
vIADUCT TO EAST SIDE.
The resolution to apply to the general
assembly for authority to hire 100000
for the layout and building OF a new street
by viaduct or otherwise from Market
square. South Main or Dyer street TO
Benefit or Prospect street. as passed by
the board OF aldermen at it's last meet
ing. aroused considerable discussion.
Mr.. Balch. as chairman of the commit
tee, said that IL was merely obtaining
permission to borrow the necessary money
and was not committing the city council
10 the expenditure OF the money
President Kendrick explained that the
resolution came from no committee, but
had been introduced by Alderman Cooke.
Mr.. Grady made ringing speech, de-
claring that he would vote for the reso
luton II Il meant fair apportionment OF
the 5000 900 TO highway improvements
throughout the city-the ten wards re-
ceiving required pro rata, but not give II
all 10 one ward or devote IL to one street.
"If we pass this resolution we are doing
wrong and will be held accountable by
the taxpayers"
Mr. Massie said the resolution was per-
missive in character. simply asking for
authority, but not TO exercise II.
Mr. Parsons protested against proceed
and had been a member OF the common
council for five years. yet this was the
first knowledge he had OF a viaduct out
side OF what he had seen in the papers
He inquired II the city had not already
authority from the general assembly TO
hire 100000 TO construct a new street
20 the east side. up and over College hill
lie was informd that IL had and, there
upon, he remarked "This Is too much,
making IL double or s400,0 900. think
the matter should be referred TO the
finance committee or 10 the committee
on highways"
Mr.. Angel thought such n proposition
was going too far and the attempt to
move I'm this direction too rapid He
inquired IL the city engineer had made
any estimates upon the cost OF building
such viaduct or street.
Mr.. Balch explained that the resolution
was only permissive, and that II the au-
thority was voted the estimates could be
made by the city engineer.
IL was then voted. upon motion OF Mr..
Parsons TO refer the matter TO the COM
mittee on highways.
FOR POLITICAL EFFECT.
The usual hue and cry OF an ante cleo
ton was raised I'm tho next discussion.
when Chairman Balch from the committee
on ordinances 20 which had been referred
an ordinance fixing the hours OF labor. at
nine a day, OF employees OF the water.
sewer and highway department OF public
works. whose salaries are less than $1,000
year, with instructions 20 obtain the
city solicitors opinion upon the legality
OF such action by the city council re-
ported submitting such opinion. The
opinion supported the committee IN its
contention that the city council had no
right 20 change the hours OF labor OF such
employees. as the contracts were made by
the commissioner OF public works
Mr.. Grady made another eloquent effort,
this time IN behalf OF the city laborers
particularly. and at Mr.. Rawson's re-
quest. as well as Mr. Gilrain's suggestion
the original resolution. the report OF the
csmmitteee and opinion of the city solicit
tor.
As a result the report OF the committee
was received sad the committee dis