The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-12-08
poor man that 10 trying 10 make q iv
ing by running a barroom.
A OIIEaTION OF EINAN

Mr.. Bach secured the floor but gave
way 10 Mr. ssson who said: IL seems
90 me that this is simply question OF
finance and but for the extreme modesty
| OF the chairman OF the committee on
/ finance II would have ben considered by
that committee. II Is just matter OF
getting our licenses for the market price.
! We ought 20 get as much az we could
/ for our licenses and help out our own
! expenses.
We have not yet entered upon a bust
ness depression. the unprecendent pros
perity OF the department stores refutes
that statement. The tax on beer.
whiskey and wine is on luxuries. they
are everywhere regarded as such. This
tax would enable the burden OF tax be
lifted from the poor men.
Mr.. Sisson said he thought the increase
was not enough, but could not sec why
the per cent OF Increase was so great
for the retailers while the wholesalers
rate was only increased 20 per cent.
Nr. Balch said that at this time II
was best TO increase the price OF licenses
and that Il would thin out the super
abundance Of saloons prevailing at pres
ent. There are too many now and IL
some were frozen out I guess the men
could get something else to DO.
Mr. Armstrong spoke also against the
increase. Tie said he wished more time
TO consider the matter.
Mr.. Rawson said the chairman OF the
ordinance committee had made a state
ment that Interested him greatly. He
asked the chairman who his authority
wac for the statement that the whole
salsrs approved OF the placing of 500 more
expense on their customers. II would be
interesting TO hear. he said.
FEEL ILL USED.
4.
saloon keepers in the Third ward and they
felt ill used In regard to this matter and
advocated that a public hearing be Givsu
TO ascertain the sentiment
Mr.. Sisson again wanted to ask the
chairman why tho wholesalers licenses
were not increased proportionately.
Mr.. Bsioh said that the wholesalers
paid many Of the retailers licenses, as
they conducted the saloons in reality, the
other ostensible proprietors being simply
agents
Mr.. Rawson wanted 70 know tho chair
mans authority for his previous state
mept.
Mr.. Fletcher spoke again brisgy ana
Mr.. Rawson again insisted on Ms ques-
ton.
DIR. Batch then stated he had talked
with many dealers but did not think II
right 10 give nsmes but asked IL Mr..
Rawson would give the names Of those he
represented.
Mr.. Rawson said that he represented
the poor dealers. who had all the eo-
pense they could stand now. He. how
ever, did not mention any names.
Mr.. Slsson made a motion that the H7o0
be stricken out OF the WHOLESALE pro-
vision In the resolution and 800 substi-
tuted Mr.. Baloh said he thought that
such a course would only defeat the good
al<xt1t
do.
A vote was taken on the resolution
and the volume of ayes was so strong
that a count was not taken, though
Joint call for roll call was heard after
the chairman had declared the resolu-
ton carried The ono who called ala
not insist on having roll call
FINANCIAL MATTERS.
From the committee on finance was re-
ceived the monthly report of the commit
tee on finance on the issue OF registered
bonds for October and November. 1908
Mr.. Massie presented the report OF the
committee on finance on the petition OF
Tree Protection society for an appropria-
tion TO exterminate the gypsy moth, stat
ing that tho city had no right 20 appro-
pirate money for that purpose. The peti-
toner was given leave TO withdraw
The monthly report OF the city treasurer
for November. 1903, and the monthly re-
port OF the city treasurer on the issue OF
registered bonds for October and Novem-
ber, 1909. were received.
The report Of the committee on finance
in rslak1on TO the rate Of wages and hours
OF labor of the employees OF the depart
ment OF public works. was received and Is
In part az follows:
The commissioner OF public works aptly
expresses his, Views, In answer TO the In
auiry made by said resolution, which We
herewith quote
THE matter relating to the hours of la
Dor and rate Of wages OF employees con-
nected with the department of public
works is largely . question Of finance.
Although few northern cities still re-
quire ten hours labor as a days work.
nine hours prevail IN most OF the cities
and In some but eight hours are required.
The wages paid by this department are as
large or larger than is paid for the same
class OF labor by private employers In this
section, but 10 generally less than 10 paid
By most northern cities,
while the tendency OF the times In In
the direction OF shortening the number OF
hours OF daily service. yet the rates paid
by the city and the daily service required
at present are such as TO attract applioa-
tions for work III numbers far beyond the
ability OF ths city TO employ
IL u inc uuCy Oh tDo SO0lfnlselOner Ot
public works 10 maintain tho highways
construct such streets as the city council
orders, and maintain the sewer and water
departments and the several other depart.
ments under his control. For this purpose
certain sums have been appropriated: In
no case larger and in no case less thHn
the amounts appropriated for the ast As
cal year. II will require in the future, az
In the past. the practice OF the arictest
economy 10 keep within these appropria-
uons for maintenance and construction OF
new work already ordered In the several
departments.
NO CHANGES ADVISABLE
In view Of labor conditions existing to-
day throughout the country, wren mnay
industries are compeslec 20 reduce wages
and curtail the plumber OF employees when
our commissioner reports that tho num-
ber OF applicants for work is far I'm excess
OF what is required. IL does not seem just
TO our taxpayers, or warranted by CTR
cumstances. for our municipal corpora
tion unnscessarily 20 increase its ex-
penses.