The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-01-02


of sufficient supply OF altered water
under all conditions two more tanks
should be built during the coming year.
I think that our citizens may be as
sured that II 10 the aim and intention OF
the public works department TO give TO
the city at all times the best possible
water supply compatible with reason
able expenditure.
Highways-The past year compares
favorably with preceding ones In the
amount OF highway work accomplished.
there having been 341t miles OF streets
built or resurfaced with macadam, and
one-half mile OF more permanent pave
ment laid. While these figures attest the
effectiveness with which the department
has utilized the appropriation at Is dis
posal, yet there are other features TO be
taken into account In the EFFORT 10 at
tain desired conditions Of our highways
Providence for many years, has had the
reputation OF being one OF the cleanest
cities i'm the country. 10 maintain which
we expend annually nearly $4,000 for
cleaning alone notwithstanding this ex-
penditure and the earnest endeavors OF
the department OF public works 10 that
end there still continues a state OF un-
tidiness In some localities, due to the
promiscuous scattering Of papers through
our thorouchfares. and this OF late great
~ has Increased. The throwing OF papers
into the streets Is not prohibited spe-
cifcally In the existing ordinances for
bidding the deposit OF rubbish in the
streets but they do provide, that mo per-
son shall carry or convey through or In
any street any waste paper not 80 covered
or protected as 10 prevent the escape Of
said paper into any street, and no per-
son. while loading or unloading q team
or other vehicle. shall scatter or permit
any waste paper 10 be scattered In any
street highway. or where such waste
paper shall be blown on to any street or
highway" The existing ordinances rela-
tive 10 this matter should be enforced
and II they are not sufficient to prevent
the continuance Of this nuisance they
should be amended.
The watering OF streets by trolley cars
has been continued during the past season
Seven cars have been employed I'm the
work, but owing 70 the frequent requests
from different sections OF the city for an
extension OF the service. In attempting
To satisfy such requests, an effort was
made 20 cover too large a field and the
results produced whole, con-
sequently have not been satisfactory. II
the railroad company would utilize their
facilities for this work entirely within
the city limits and would still further add
to their equipment. the coming year
would see the principal streets thoroughly
sprinkled and In a manner gratifying to
all
wish again 10 call attention TO the
desirabiity OF substituting a more durable
pavement for macadam In some OF our
main streets where the travel is heavy.
II is undeniable that for sanitary reasons
a more permanent pavement IL prefera bic
TO macadam in such streets, and while
he Ara l1o La
quency with which macadem has 10 be re-
newed makes the cost Of maintenance
equal or exceed the first expense Of more
lasting pavement Which then Is the
more desirable7 with the one we may
have an absolutely clean thoroughfare at
all times and without the inconvenience
OF frequent repairs: while with the other
beside the cost and inconvenience either
mud or dust prevails continually to the
discomfort Of everyone. I trust that i'm
the future You will give our city more
durable pavements where the same are
needed
The work in connection with the sbol-
ishment Of grade crossings at Grove Dale
and Acorn street has progressed 10 the
extent that in all proba bility these dan
gerous places will be closed within the
ensuing year. and the work will be COM
pleted well within the sum appropriated
fer =tftst- purpose.
During the past year the city coun-
ell passed an ordinance granting permits
sion 10 the Rhode Island company to
lay, maintain and use rails in Steeple
street, and many lines of electric cars
now are running therein. This practical
ly leaves no thoroushfare free from cleo
trio cars by which the East Side OF our
city can be reached The extension OF Wa
terman street TO Exchange place. which
would remedy this. has been advocated
by many OF our representative citizens
and by the public press and should re-
ceive your early and careful considera-
ton. Unquestionably. II this plan could
be carried out IL would be a marked Inn
provement TO our city.
The electric car service in our streets
has increased greatly during the past
few years. in accordance with the public
demands. and II is necessary, in the in
terests of our citizens, that our ordinances
governing the running OF street cars be
strictly enforced. | am informed that on
a car line In the southern portion OF our
city passenger electric cars are daily de-
layed by electric freight trains not mere
ly the single freight cars which are be-
coming very numerous on the trolley lines
In the congested business portions and
also In some residential portions OF our
city, but trains OF several cars coupled to-
gether. Beside that, daily II is observed
upon that line that an electric engine
takes car up the hill on Eddy street
and leaves II standing on the track in
tho street, while n goes back for another
car, which. when brought. Ia coupled with
the other. and the train when made up
proceeds TO a suburban district. Such use
Of our highways Is unwarranted and ac-
ton should be taken 10 prevent its con-
tinusnce
The city council has permitted many
switches to Re laid from the main tracks
on our street railroad for the purpose
OF enabling trolley car- 20 deliver freight.
These concessions are or great value. not
only To the street railroad company. but
also 20 the parties VINO thus receive
their freight. and I'm some cities an an
nual income Is derived therefrom.
other cities alro receive compensation
from the privste use and occupation OF
the public highways for vaults under
sidewalks used by owners ~ adjacent
buildings for storage and other purposes.
and also for private subways and con-
duits With ne. for several years past
II hss been customary TO insert in reso-
iu,ious granting permission to parties