The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-07-07
tcontinued from Page one.)

saying that I'm all the talk for an APP
proach there had been but one petition
for an easy grade street. lie would like
10 know who and what great pressure
was behind the easy grade proposition
and who asked for IL.
For ordinary travel there was no
strong pressure coming from the East
sders for an easy grade street, and he
favored the plan OF Mr.. Stone. He had
conversed with large number OF East
Siders, and but few had favored an easy
grade street at all Those who did so
were found to be employees OF the Rhode
Island company. IL an easy grade street
is all that Is wanted, the-raising OF the
grade of Waterman street will furnish the
convenience needed
Those interested in the Rhode Island
company had urged that the easy grade
street proposed would be public con-
venience. SO is the railroad between NV
York and Boston, no one would think OF
giving the Consolidated roadbed
through the city. though that Is what the
Francis plan provides for the Rhode ISL
and company.
II an easy access TO the East Side IS
needed that may be through Mr.. stones
plan The electric street car traffic
should be for the convenience OF the cfty,
and the only convenient plan offered. as
well as the only economical one, Is TO go
ings OF Mr. Ballou. This should be for
cars only, in the interest OF safety TO the
citizens and the common convenience of
all.
No distinguished engineer is needed TO
tell that fact. II would not be wise 10 ac-
pect his plan and allow him TO dictate
what the city needs II is the duty or
the committee only to consult with him
on all possible plans, and then 10 select
the best
Col. spooner considered Mr. Carey's
plan the best: and he had made the state
ment noted In the News-Democrat. that
a tunnel would be built for $4,000 by
either OF two contractors. cost less than
that of any one OF the plans suggested
by Mr. Francis, Offering practically no
danger TO the city and with the land dam.
ages merely nominal
IL an easy grade street Is needed, n
short street from Charlesneld TO Craw-
ford would afford-it. with an s per cent.
grade, like that OF Francis street This
should be the consideration OF the com
mittee and the city after the tunnel Is
built.
IL protest" said Col Spooner. 'for nine
tenths OF the residents OF the east side
and myself. against having our money
used TO furnish merely roadbed for any
corporation"
c. NJ Salisbury said that the crying
demand OF the residents OF the east side
IS TO rid themselves and the city from
the dangers attendant upon reaching their
homes by way OF College street. They
want no easy grade street, nor Will either
that or any streets with curves In IL re-
lieve OF the danger. Yet the Francis
plans have from one TO three curves In
them.
Ninety per cent. OF the east sders
want a tunnel and are absolutely opposed
10 viaduct or street They want a saw
ing OF time and lessening OF the dam
gers offered by the present methods; and
those essentials are only 10 be secured by
tunnel.
Hon Rathbone Gardner started off by
saying that nine-tenths OF the people want
safe and rapid transit for both men and
women who either walk or ride In the
cars between their homes and the CEN
tire OF the city.
IL an easy grade street Is built south
OF College street. not one person living
north OF Benevolent street Will use IL, but
will continue TO use College hill.
The interests OF the residents OF the
east side demand a safe route: and those
interests demand, first of ALL tunnel
That is the. most essential need OF east
side residents today.
There is no possible doubt as TO public
sentiment, for the taxpayers are united
on the tunnel side of the question. This
attention should be paid 10 the railroad
company. for its attitude is merely
bluff as was the case when the cable road
was built and in the case OF transfers.
Let the city take the firm stand ana the
traction company will come down, since
1t must accommodate the public or go out
of business
What the city demands is a safe tunnel.
The citizens do not want a plan compeli-
ing them to travel a half mile south TO
go 100 feet east The first thing needed
is a safe and convenient passage 10 the
east side by public conveyance, ana then
the easy grade street.
Robert b. Brown wished to emphasize
that no person living in that part OF the
city had asked for or wanted an easy
grade street over which electric cars
were to be oPeraaeu Pnstr,,ct ne tunnel pi through
which the masses travelling from olnsy
VILE to Hunts Mills could be rapiuy
and safely transported, saving niteeh
The Rhode Island Company managers
know that the public Will patronize tne,l
cars wherever they are operated 1T is
therefore absurd for any person to assert
that the tunnel. II constructed. Will not
be used by the Rhode Island Company.
Arthur w. Fairchild spoke In favor OF
both an easy grade street and tunnel:
He thought the tunnel could be built ana
leased TO the street railway company
When completed IL would become an as
prof wilfrid Munro favored tunnel
and II there Is TO be an easy-grade scheme
also he would favor the extension or wa
terman street TO Exchange place.
George y. Peterson said that the thing
which IL most needed must be first con-
sidered: and he thought tunnel the most
Important need OF the people.
Charles sisson presented communica-
ton signed by residents of the Brown
street district TO the effect that they
preferred a doube-track subway, for the
exclusive use OF street cars. The petition
WAS signed by stephen III. Harris and 90
others. Considerable had been said. Mr..
Of the district were not in favor OF
tunnel. and Il was TO learn the sentiments
OF those residents that the petition had
been circulated.
Alfred stone asked the committee TO
remember that they had before them
petition for the construction OF n tunnel
and that bonds be issued for the payment
OF the work In other cities IL was re-
quired that the railway companies pay
for the use of tunnels and subways. In
Boston the railway companies pay s-lO