The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-05-24

Editor Providence News;
The petition of the Rhode Island COM
many 10 the city council OF Providence
for permission 10 relocate It's rails in the
center OF the roadway from Trinity
square 10 Earl street, IN what is now
known rs Elmwood avenue. is but the en-
tering wedge or initial step in its purpose
OF carly extension 10 Roger Williams
Park
This Is a question OF grave Importance
20 abutting property owners and residents
or the line. and touches vital community
interests that justifes the serious and
earnest consideration OF all citizens or
Providence The proposition involves con-
ditions OF the most heartless and incon-
siderate nature imaginable. and is aoso-
lutely without due cause or justification
] do not charge that this action Is In
splred i'm malice, or for the purpose or
wreckage and disaster Of citizen interests.
such as wfli surely follow In the wake or
its achievement The more charitable, and
certainly the most desirable view Is that
Il Is proposed without fair or proper con-
sijeration OF ether than it's own conve-
nience.
The general plan OF car lines in the cen
Ire OF SITttlS nave peCONlic a. ~ gStafh<''
condition. gsHer8ffy recognized Heees-
ssty-such as In common practice com
pels universal acquiescence. Hence all
thought Of street railway interests con-
centrate upon its own convenience ana
the economy involved In its traffic, with
out regard 10 sentiment within spheres
other than their own. Local or community
interests are naturally set asidNas OF Inn
material consequence. Citizens are natur.
off nd nxn m gQfQC1Ia ri
their own interests.
THE MATERIAL CONDITIONS
briefly stated are as follows. The car
lines were placed In their present POSI-
tion primarily 10 save. the shade trees. OF
which theresare three hundred and seven,
and further 10 acquire the present road
way for ordinary street traffic under con-
ditions which secure the very maximum
OF safety, comfort and pleasure 10 all
and every interest The trees constitute
elements OF danger without proper safe
guards. With the introduction OF electric
traction service the Instructions were in
creased by the addition Of a large number
OF poles. The system was operated for
ten years IN the face OF all these danger
elements and without the slightest visible
effort of safeguards upon cars, or other
wise. until recently with the adoption and
lHStaidllOU ItW cars Wlln
gates. guard ran and folding side step
boards so per cent. Of the dangers are
removed and the management have
added gratuitously the further safety
measure IN the conductors call. Look
out for the trees and poles while passing
through the boulevard" Now the only
remaining danger TO travel upon the new
cars Is the thirty seven trees and few
lamp posts upon the west sidewalk. The
removal OF these few obstructfons ought
TO have been done twelve years ago. The
car line mus cleared Of every possible
danger. the present roadway is preserved
and available for carriage bicycle and
pleasure without parallel In ordinary
ractice. The safety. comfort and pleas
ure Of travel upon the street cars on the
avenue Is incomparably greater than can
be found under the ordinary system in
general use.
The present physical conditions upon
Elmwood avenue are cheerful and excep-
tonally pleasant TO the residents and all
others who ride or drive thereon. Its
shade trees arc Of incalcuiabie value Al
though there are many vacant spots which
ought long since TO have been filed In
the presence Of these conditions ana In
the well known protest Of abutting and
other residents, the railroad company
pioPocrS 10 cut GOWN ana remove two
hundred and seventy trees without the
slightest cause or justification. Is II not
question sufficient 10 Justify the most
serious and emphatic protest OF all citi-
Gems who have common interest in the
public veal?
AT crucial periods. in the presence of
danger and disaster. nervous excitement
Is but a natural sequence Under such
conditions very much is said and report
ed which is doubtless exaggerated un-
Truth. For purpose OF Illustration it is
represented that the Rhode Island com
psny never makes a move until the held
OF It's proposed operations Is absolutely
cleared for action. that In the present
caso Il 10 in actual possession OF such In
nusnce In the council and pledged sup
port at the city hall as 10 insure on
early and prompt granting OF It's petit
ton. I believe In common with many
Others ttat such conditions are not only