The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-08-16
THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 1906.
PERRY PLANS A GRAB.

tunnel proposition the more it is shown to be
crafty scheme TO secure to the street railway
poration ultimate ownership OF the subway. This
is not the intention OF the East Side residents who
are demanding the construction OF a tunnel, nor
will be permitted by the citizens at large il their
sentiment carries any weight at the city hall.
Plainly the purpose of Perry and his railroad
corporation is to the citys credit in securing
the construction of a tunnel at less cost than it
could itself build it, and having paid the interest
and retired the bonds at maturity to assume abso-
lutte ownership of it.
By such plan the city would receive no benefit
whatever for the loanng OF its credit When the
transaction had been finally concluded the railway
corporation would possess the tunnel while the city
would realize not penny Immediately or prospec-
lively
Persons secretly working in the interest of the
Perry corporation, but who, for reasons only too
obvious, pretend to be laboring for- the public well
fare are urging that during the life OF the bonds
the title of the tunnel should remain in the city,
that it should then pass to the railroad corporation
after the bonds have been paid and that the city
will regulate and control its operations because it
will control the tracks running to either entrance.
lust such specious and deceitful arguments
were employed when the Perry railroad corporation
was seeking the passage of the franchise act under
which it impudently claims perpetual rights in
the public thoroughfares. When that measure OF
mischief and deceit under consideration hire
ngs OF the Perry corporation were pcturng the
benefits the community would derive in the way OF
larger revenue, but not word was whispered that
it conferred any perpetual privileges
Once it had been enacted into law the Perry
corporation was not slow in claiming that the fran
IL. .l,, IL
which were perpetual and which could neither be
abridged nor withdrawn. Plainly it claimed to have
the city and the people by the throat and it has
acted upon that brazen assumption ever since.
1t is pursuing exactly parallel policy in this
tunnel matter. Its creatures are proclaiming the
wisdom OF municipal ownership while payment for
the work is in progress and the justice of turning
over the subway to its control and ownership when
the debt has been extnguished 1t is policy of all
for the Perry corporation that has already seized
everything in sight and nothing for the city that has
been Systematically pundered of valuable privileges
But the experiences of the past and the know
ledge of the Perry corporations arrogant and grasp
ing methods will save Providence from the con-
tempated robbery in this tunnel enterprise.
The residents of the East Side want a tunnel.
and supported by the sentiment of the citizens of
the rest of the city, they will get a tunnel The
whole citizenship OF Providence demands that the
city build the tunnel and retain permanent owner
ship OF it. They unalterably opposed to the
lending OF the ciys credit to the Perry corporation
10 construct a tunnel to be owned by that corpora
tion and that opposition they will make effective
il the city council commits the folly OF attempting
TO carry into execution Perry's scheme of grab.
Nor will the people consent to any partnership
arrangement. Ownership absolute and perpetual
by the city is the only condition which they will
give approval
How that may be obtained was clearly shown
in the resolution presented by Mr.. Parsons and
amended by Mr.. Balch at the last meeting of the
joint special committee on East Side approach
That resolution proposed that the committee report
recommending that the city council take the ncccs-
sary steps to build tunnel to be leased to the
Rhode Island company at a rental mot less than
sufficient 10 meet the interest the bonds issued
for its construction and the necessary sinking fund.-
That resolution was not adopted because a
majority OF the committee wished TO ascertain what
President Perry of the railroad company wanted
They now know what he wants--the construction
OF the tunnel by the city for the benefit and ulti-
mate ownership OF the Perry corporation II the
majority OF the approach committee recommends
acceptance Of this plan will draw upon itself the
condemnation Of the whole community.
III the city coypcil should endorse such a