The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-09-20
COUNCIL
CONCURS
WITH BOARD
Highway Appropriation Gets
$4,000 Additional Asked
for by Commissioner Smith

A special meeting Of the common coun-
Gil, called by Acting Mayor Freeman. to
take action on the appropriation bill as
amended by the board OF aldermen at
Thursdays session. was held In the ooun-
Gil chamber at u o'clock this noon with
y members present.
In the absence of President Kendrick
Councilman Angel was elected president
pro tenn.
The special business of the meeting was
at once taken up, the concurring with the
board OF aldermen in the amendmnet TO
the appropriation bill adding $50, 900 to
the appropriation for highways, making
the sum $500 In place OF $3.50 600
Councilman Thomas H. Leonard, chair
man OF the committee on highways.
moved that the commissioner OF public
works be invited to explain the appro-
priation for highways and the need of
more money to the council.
Councilman Darling moved that the
council concur with the aldermen and
there were several seconds
Councilman Whelden wanted to know
II the additional money was appropriated
IL the laborers now employed on the high
way would be continued at work He said
the council could justly be censured by
the people II II failed to provide for
the laboring class. who depended on the
city for work. after raising the salaries
or employees at the city hall, who have
steady positions. He hoped the amend
ment would be concurred in.
COMMISSIONER SMITH SPEAKS.
The motion to have Commissioner OF
Public Works Smith address the council
was carried. Mr.. Smith complained of
the small amount given his department
and cited several departments, namely
the fire, street lights and police, that
have received much more than the high
way department and more than they did
last year, the total increase being $751; 300
These amounts. he said were probably
all needed. but he thought the highway
department should receive enough AL
ready he said, there were fixed charges
enough TO take 5.o4350 OF the appropria-
ton leaving only about s215.oo0 for main
tenance.
There seems to be funds enough. Mr.
Smith said, TO give the highways the
money needed, there being $1,000 more I'm
the contingency fund than last year.
Many new strets would be built II the
money was given.
Councilman Sphinx said that of the
$4,000 unappropriated about $25, 900 would
be non collectable. and he didn't think
the appropriation could be made without
damage 10 the other departments: he
moved an amendment 10 the amendment
making the additional $40, 900. This motion
was lost.
WANTED EQUAL DIVISION.
Councilman Raftery wanted to know II
the money was voted II all the wards
would get their share.
Councilman Grady hoped the amend
ment would pass In concurrence with the
board. He didn't want 10 see the laborers
on the highways laid OF this winter, be- |
sides. he said. the eighth ward needed |
many repairs on the streets.
Councilman Leonard In reply to Mr.
Spink's statement that s25. 900 OF the |
taxes would be non coilectable.- said this |
was wholly prolematical and he hoped |
the council would concur. |
Miss Sisson wanted TO see the $40. 90 ap- |
propriated, and said he would rather see |
the increase made $50. 900 than $50 oO0 |
He didn't favor Increasing the running |
expenses OF the city. but he didn't think |
the time had come 20 stint the highways
II was always a good investment. as there |
was an increase In taxes when streets
were built He would like 10 see more |
money even given the department
The motion was put and on a roll call /
vote. the council concurred with the al /
Sphinx and Parsons voting IN the negative
Concurrent action was also taken In
certain money from the ap- /
propriation for highways 20 other ac- /
counts, Also permitting the Union Rail- |
road company TO lay curves on certain /
streets and In receiving the monthly re-
port of the city messenger for August.
Adjourned NJ 1928.