The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-03-05

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The Consolidated roads proposed tun-
mel plan from the centre OF the city 20
the west bank OF the Seekonk river also
came in for consideration. and finally a
plan was suggested by John w Furlong,
who objected TO either visducts or tun-
nes for approach 10 the East Side and
revived the plan which has been sug-
gested in the past Of building a new
street from Market square at an ~Sgle
with the existing streets, offering an easy
grade over the hill This, he said. would
accommodate all kinds of traffic and
would not be confined TO street cars, as In
the case OF the tunnel, or offer the oppor-
tunities for accidents. as in the case OF
the raised viaduct
Councilman Parsons said that this plan
had been considered by the city and not
Rdjuged feasible.
PEOPLE ARE AROUSED.
In opening the discussion, President
Jackson said nothing had SO aroused the
interest OF the people OF Providence IN
recent wears as had the matter OF the
Consolidated road tunnel. He called then
upon Nathaniel w. Smith OF the coun-
sci for the Consolidated road MI. smith
explained the plans OF the railroad ana
said II was believed TO be a great PUBLIC
IMPROVEMENT. In It's details, however. he
thought IL could be better explained by
Mr. Dayley. the engineer OF the road.
He introduced Mr.. Dawley, who explained
a plan of the proposed tunnel which was
displayed I'm the room.
Mr. Dawley said that the company
after due consideration, that the route
proposed was very near where IL is very
|
communication to aid from the East side
aud did not think that the striking or
rock would be unfavorable in the matter
~ tho causinR OF vibrations by the trains
He did not think there were any quick
sands but chiefly shale along the line OF
the tunnel. -.
Mr. Dawley was asked II IL were prac-
ticable 10 build tunnel beginning near
the foot OF Constitution hill. he said
,hat the distance from Washington bridge
10 the Union station would be increased
so per cent. by that plan. and. further,
that the railroad was In deep cut at
smith street. so that the whole layout
OF the wards in this city would have TO be
changed II that plan were adopted mere
was also not the same opportunity for
a smoke vent midway in the tunnel ny
that route.
MIR. SHEDD's SUGGESTIONS.
J. Herebrt Shedd, a former city en-
gineer, was called upon by President
Jackson and ne declared that the pros
perity OF Providence would be advanced
by this tunnel project He could not see
that the escape OF smoke, except at the
portals, could be Objectionable to anyone.
Some OF our friends on the east side"
he said. have been afraid that their
houses would be made uninhabitable. but
I doubt n they would be able 10 discover
the massage OF train unless they were
looking for st. | have observed that
sound is not heard under cover for few
feet over the tunnel The vibration must
be looked for or the sound listened for
i'm order 10 be discovered. The advantage
that would come to this city by the tunnel
would be OF great consequence as well
as the quick transportation 10 the south
eastern part OF the state and 20 Boston"
Mr. Shedd said that the whole Of that
portion of the hill through which the
tunnel would pass was. he believed. n
mass of rock. which was very good for
tunnel purposes
Charles ". Merriman. chairman Of the
special committee appointed by the cham
Der Of commerce TO consider the ques-
ton reported that there did not appear
TO be much opposition developed at the
meeting at the city hall. and the ma
Mr.. J. W. Starkwea ther Of the special
committee % the chamber OF commerce
read the following letter from Marsden
J. Perry:
March 4. 1904
Dear MIR Starkweather:
Since our recent conversation on the
subject of the proposed tunnel under Col
lege HILL I have given the matter much
serious thought and I fully believe that
the construction OF this work will be-
greatly 60 the advantage. not only of the
city. but Of the suburban territory that
Will be served by the lines passing through
II. 10 Is unnecessary for me 10 say that
/ am heartily IN accord with anything that
VIII advance the interests or conserve the
welfare OF our city. Sincerely yours.
MARSDEN J PERRY.
George a. Wildwood inquired N the rail
road intended 90 maintain the present
fare from points on the Bristol road 20
Exchange place and Attorney Smith rep
rcsentlng the railroad, said his company
had hardly as yet reached the considera-
ton of that point, but he thought that
u would be entirely reasonable if the
railroad. after spending 100000 on tun-
mel. should charge on its regular fare the
extra five cents now charged on the
transfer ears 10 the passenger station.
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.
After some further comments as 20
fares tho following resolutions presented
by Mr. stsrkwesther, who asserted that