The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-06-16
CENTRAL FALLS
MAY, NOT GRANT
GAS FRANCHISE

There are indications that the Pawtuck-
ct Gas company has struck something OF
snag I'm lis efforts TO secure exclusive
15-year franchises I'm this city and Cum
berland and possibly In Lincoln. IL was
not till the Pawtucket city council had
accepted the proposed contract that any
move TO secure similar rights In this city
was made. probably because the officials
of that company believed that the govern
ment OF the other places would be guided
In their action by what was done In the
larger place In this, however, they made
a mistake.
1t is an old saw that "chckens come
home to roost." and there are frequent
the opposition which has developed 10 tho
granting of the franchise for the Paw
tucket Gas company one of them Is to be
found.
1t will be remembered that last winter
the announcement was made that the
William A. Harris Steam Engine company
of Providence, having purchased the
property which was at one time owned
and Occupied by the New England Elec-
trolitic company was making ready 10
start up a big business I'm this city and
that II desired an opportunity TO sell 10
the people OF Central Falls and Cumber-
land the surplus OF electricity which II
There was a bill introduced into the
legislature and at once the Pawtucket
Electric Lighting company. which has be,
hind IL the same interests that are behlnd
the Pawtucket Gas company, bobbed up
in opposition. The company is powerful
one and IL was able TO bring suffcent
political pressure TO defeat the bill. The
act was reported favorably on by the
corporation committee of the lower house
and then went to the senate, but there
the man who rules the general assembly
exerted his power TO stop II and IL was
pigeonholed.
This failure 10 give franchise to this
| company was condemned right and left in
this city and now that the Pawtucket
| Gas company wants some privileges there
is strong disposition TO refuse them
At the meeting OF the city council called
| for last Thursday night by Mayor Nc
Nally this opposition developed and the
| proposition from the gas company met
nothing else was done. 1t was not even
referred to a committee and unless there
! Is another special meeting called by the
mayor or by. the heads OF the two
branches IL Will remain In the hands OF
| the city clerk TIL the regular meeting In
July. In fact. there is the best OF reason
| for expecting that no more special meet
| ings will be called 10 act on this matter.
| One proposition which was sprung at
the Thursday night meeting was interest
| ing at any rate II was that no action
| be taken and then IL the gas company
| furnished gas to Pawtucket at rate OF
s1.10 and charged the people OF this city
| for the same gas Sl.40 there would be an
| opportunity to appeal TO the courts on the
| ground that there would be unjust dis
| elimination. The statement that II would
be a violation Of the Sherman antitrust
| law is scarcely worth consideration. be-
| cause that law had 10 do with matters OF
Interstate character. still there might be
/ an opportunity 10 secure redress III the
company made such glaring discrimina-
ton as between two places so close to-
/ gether.
DISSATISFACTION EXPRESSED.
The interference with the action of the
! chief Of police and especially in ordering
| the head OF the police department to dis
! continue prosecutions against a person
| against whom he had secured evidence
| nAIlt ltper haa Vanf
met with very general approval on the
party of the citizens of this day. This is
a law abiding community and when men
| engaged In the LIQUOR business show an
! inclination TO break the laws the people
believe that such a person should be pros
ecuted and that his license should be
| taken away from him.
II the chief OF police believed that he
had sufficient evidence TO ask the license
! commissioners TO revoke license the
feeling is that he should have been per-
mitted to lay 1t before the board and that
the mayor should have kept his hands
off.
The controversy that has developed dur.
ing the past few months between Mayor
! McNally and Chief OF Police Lambert is
| very unsatisfactory to every one who
auieting in the extreme and tends TO
break all possible discipline In the de-
partment.
REPUBLICAN RALLY.
There was a rally held at the rooms of
ming and City Clerk Crawford and his
assistant was present at the same time
in order 10 give all who desired an OPP
portunity to register. This club which
bears the name OF the Republican party
| In one OF the most independent political
organizations in the city. The local ma
chine has never yet been able TO handle
| II and the members are quite as likely 10
| vote against the Republican candidates as
for them; Judging from the sentiments
expressed by some OF the members the
candidacy of Col. Goddard for United
| States senator is being favorably received
in that section and the men who will be
pledged 10 vote for him in the next gen.
eral assembly will get a good many votes
there.