The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-06-28
Continued from Page one)

Continued from rage OneJ
"There is not the least beneft to be
gained by East siders in an easy grade
street. What Is II that we will get
cheaper? Simply sentimental comfort.
The plan was designed for the benefit OF
street railway trafic; and yet the COM
pany has contributed nothing 10 the cost.
The thing to do is to insist that the rail
way company adopt the tunnel plan.
since that is best for the citizens. as
they have tried to tell the committee.
The easy street proposition has not
proved its case. The city has been most
careless In giving away the best streets
10 the street railway companies. There
Is not a main thoroughfare In the city or
vicinity that has not been loaded with
tracks, so that II one Is 10 have a pleas
ant drive free from danger one must
take the most roundabout way Every
principal street on the way to Pawtucket
Is crowded with advantages TO the street
car interest only The Francis plan only
emphasizes this fact.
Cannot there be one section OF the
city left to rest and quiet? The city has
q grand opportunity 10 redeem itself in
the tunnel. proposition. Can the city
council afford TO take the step OF building
graded street to increase the time Of
reaching the East Side and destroy the
beauty OF that section"
Mr. Sharpe declared that double the
present number OF passengers would soon
be using the Brook street and other car
lines over College hill why should
these passengers be dragged up the hill
over zigzag circuitous route when they
can be put through a short. direct tun-
nel?" asked Mr.. Sharpe.
He expressed surprise that the street
railway company had given no indication
he Va Of ha ~
what IL would or would not do 10 assist
In solution OF the problem
Mr.. Sharpe was informed by Chairman
kendrick that the company had told the
committee It would not contribute 10 the
building OF a tunnel.
An invitation was extended 10 the COM
mittee representing the Hope club. which
had sent a communication reQues ting an
opportunity 10 present its views 10 open
the discussion: and President John Cong
don OF the clubs committee said. las a
club We are not advocating or opposing
any plan. but We wish TO enter vigor-
Gus protest against the mutilation OF our
property proposed by one, and perhaps
two. OF these plans. II Is proposed 10
cut a large strip out OF our lawn and seri-
ously inJure the value Of our property"
Frank l. Hinckley. a member OF the
clubs committee. added that he had been
informed that II the plan recommended
by Mr. Francis were adopted the value
OF the property OF the Hope club would
be diminished half Il make this
statement IN order TO show the commit
tee how great the damage TO us would
be-" he said. "and also as an indication
Of what II would probably cost the city"
John w. Furlong spoke In advocacy OF
the easy-grade plan presented by him,
which was the original plan designed
when the easy-gr de idea was first
broached several years ago.
Howard o. sturges. who said he had
been requested by Mr.. Francis TO speak.
argued for the adoption OF the Francis
plan or that proposed by ex-Gov. Mppitt.
and said:
ceivable demand Of travel. A tunnel is
essential TO rapid transportation, but
will hardly be available for the use OF
carriages and automobiles. We must
take into consideration the needs of the
Ice wagon. the grocery wagon and the
butchers cart
Mr.. Sturges expressed the opinion that
The easy grade approach should be carried
through Charles Field street He also
thought that the city should extend
Waterman street TO Market square, and
that the entire cost OF the approach. in
cluding that Of the portion east OF Benefit
street. should be borne by the city.
Or. z. NJ Harris advocated a highway
route via Waterman street. cutting across
The corner Of the University club property,
thence diagonally across the First Bap-
list church property and east OF that
building TO Thomas street, which could
be widened and 20 make the grade not
too sharp. North Main street could be
saised slightly.
Mason w. Tillinghast advocated an