The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-01-04


The city has been very liberal in placing
the lights near together. but II is very
doubtful question whether A rs In any
justified I'm attempting To light
every dark place where tree casts
shadow, or 10 light the entrances TO pri-
vate property.or plated streets where few
n any houses are built. In view OF the ex-
cessivs cost Of this department, II is
your duty 20 consider carefully all petit
tions for additional lights
The present contracts for lighting the
city with electricity expire June Is. 1906.
PUBLIC HEALTH
During the past year the city has been
extremely fortunate I'm its comparative
freedom from small pox. Although the
disease has been very prevalent through
out the country, IL has appeared IN Prov
idence only twice and In each case has
been confined TO the family which brought
IL here.
There has been rather moro scarlet fe-
Yer and diphiher1a than usual and the
hospital wards used for these diseases
have several times been taxed TO their ut
most
In this connection 1 desire 10 speak OF
the hospital service which has been rem
dered to this city by the Rhode Island
hospital. Unlike other cities OF It's size.
city's poor have been cared for at the
Rhode Island hospital at a great expense
TO that institution. The city OF Providence
heretofore has contributed 10 this hospital
bun nve thousand dollars per annum and
this for twenty beds for the use of injured
OF sick employees of the city.
petition was presented 10 the lest
city council. setting forth the pecuniary
condition Of the hospital at the present
iFaa Il oahf In Hnt Hon. % tk..
fact that by continuing to avail OF the
services OF the Rhode Island hospital, the
city ls saved the large outlay for the
erection of a city hospital. as well "a for
the annual cost for its maintenance; that
ifthe Rhode Island hospital is 10 continue
10 do this work for the city 1t should re-
ceive more adequate compensation there
for. and the city council has passed a
resolution directing the city solicitor 90
apply TO the general assembly at its next
session TO amend the act whereby the
city OF Providence was given authority 10
appropriate annually to the Rhode Island
hospital the sum OF 5000, so that the city
council can appropriate and pay to that
hospital such sums OF money annually
hereafter as the city council may deem
expedient and desirable for this city 10
SO appropriate.
/ trust that when the authority 10 in
worthy purpose is obtained. that the city
council will do what is just in regard 10
this noble tuition. which has perform
ed Its duties so faithfully and so inexpen-
sively 10 our city.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Our fire department I'm previous years
has been conducted in praiseworthy
manner and the service of that depart
ment has acquired great reputation not
only at home but throughout the country
for its efficiency. What the result OF the
action of the previous city council I'm
changing the terms OF service OF the fire
will be upon that depart
ment remains TO be seen
The city ordinance which provided that
our fire commissioners should be three I'm
number holding office for three years,
one being elected each year. was in ac-
cord with the principles upon which such
departments for years. both here and else
where, have been established and when
so established have given satisfaction, for
thereby there are always some members
upon the board who are familiar with the
workings OF the department and who are
we'll informed of the necessary require
ments OF the department so that 1t may
be conducted successfully. as ours has
been conducted.
The amendment made 10 that ordinance
by the last city council. providing that
each year three new men may be elected
to serve but for one year, I'm MY opinion,
was most inadvisable and felt compelled
to veto the ordinance as amended, the
only veto message which sent 10 the city
council during the past year.
The amended ordinance. however hav-
Ing been passed over my veto. this city
council is called upon today for the first
time TO elect three FIRE commissioners 10
hold office for the term OF but one year.
trust that the city council.
in the future in its selection
OF men for fire commissioners of the
city OF Providence. will be governed only
by the recognized fitness OF the men for
that office; that the office will not be
given In payment for partisan services
regardless OF the qualifications OF the
candidate; but that men will he elected
because OF their capabiity and practical
knowledge OF the requirements OF the
department. and that their work as COM
missioners will be performed so satisfac-
torily that their term OF service may be
beyond the one year for which
under this ordinance they will be elected.
The fire commissioners have called my
attention to the following matters:
WORK OF FIRE DEPARTMENT.
During the eleven months ending No
vember s0th 1903 the fire department re-
sponded 10 SSl alarms this being an in
crease OF 81 over the number responded
to during the corresponding period of
1902
The number OF fires is rapidly increas-
ing each year. and although this must be
IN a rapidly growing city. yet
Il adds more largely TO the work OF the
department than is generally realized.
and calls for constant oversight on the
part OF those In charge. I'm ordar that
everything connected Herewith may at
all times be In readiness for service
The exp nditures have been kept at as
low a figure as possible and the strictest
economy has been practiced. and although
the board has. for the past two years
abored under the dlsadvantags OF insult
hcient appropriations. and notWithstand-
Ing the great Increase that has been made
In the cost OF repairs and an supplies
that are needed. the apparatus equip
nents and everything appertaining TO
the service have been maintained In the
best possible condition. and such appli-
ancts as the board believed would tend
10 reduce the fire loss have been added
To reduce this loss 10 the lowest point
has been the constant aim ~ the com
and the comparative i'm