The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-08-02
THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 1906.
A TUNNEL WILL BE BUILT.

The subcommittee OF the Joint special COM
mittee OF the city council on East Side approach
has conferred with President Perry OF, the Rhode
Island company concerning the matter of securing
more adequate means of communication between
the centre of the city and the easterly section.
President Perry was unable to enghten the
committee as to the railroads attitude as he had
been unable TO consider the matter, owing TO the
pressure of other business. OF course, the fact
that the question Of an East Side approach has
been the subject of discussion, public and private,
for more than three years. does not mean that 1t
was of sufficient importance TO engage the atten-
tion OF President Perry.
Therefore he is unprepared TO state his own
views He needs time to consider the matter but
later ON, after due deberation he will inform the
committee as to the conclusions he has reached!
How familiar all this is. How accurately it
parallels previous performances IN which city
council committees supposedly acting in behalf OF
the public have proven they were more anxious to
promote the wishes and schemes OF the traction
company than the desires and interests os the
people who elected them.
For more than half decade an agitation for
ticket transfers on the street railway lines had been
in progress in this city when the subject was re-
ferred TO the city council committee on railroads. OF
which ]. William Moore was chairman.
When this committee conferred with Presi-
dent Perry it found that he was not prepared to
discuss the matter He did say, however, he didn't
believe there any popular demand for trans
fers, and that under no circumstances would the
Rhode Island company establish the ticket system,
because it would promote dishonesty among its
employees and fraud on the part of the public.
Nevertheless, he would consider the subject
and advise the committee concerning his conclu-
sions What was the result? Chairman ]. Will
liam Moore reported that the traction company s
management was unaterably opposed to the ticket
transfer system that the only system it would con-
sent to establish would be one providing central
transfer station TO be erected site TO be fur
nished by the city and, finally, if this detention
house scheme were not accepted the public would
have TO go without transfers altogether.
Both President Perry and Chairman Moore
failed to take into account the power OF public
opinion The city refused TO accept the detention
house scheme and aroused public sentiment wrung
from the unwilling traction company system OF
ticket transfers.
The majority on the approach committee is
following a course i'll way different from that
pursued by ]. William Moore's railroad committee,
and President Perry is dealing with the tunnel
question exactly as he did with the ticket transfer
matter.
1t is fair to assume, therefore, that whatever
President Perry determines is best tor the traction
company whether it be tunnel, an easy grade
street or nothing at all, will be recommended by
the majority OF the committee
The majority of the committee should under
stand, however, that the only plan that will be ac-
ceptable to the people OF the East Side will be one
providing for tunnel to be built by the city and TO
remain permanently the property of the city, the
traction company to pay a reasonable rent for its
use.
That no other scheme can be thrust upon the
people was made plain by the sentiments ex-
pressed at the public hearings given by the APP
proach committee Residents and taxpayers OF the
East Side are unit in demanding municipal
tunnel, and they are supported in their demand
by the overwhelming sentiment OF the people of
the rest of the city
If the majority of the committee in its desire
10 bow TO the wishes of the traction company S
management recommends any other plan it will
be rejected 1t can save itself from such hunili-
alton by reporting in favor OF tunnel for tunnel
will be built and will be maintained by the city
OF Providence.
SIMMER FATALITIES