The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-09-01
CENTRAL FALLS
AND THE MATTER
OF GAS FRANCHISE

II looks as though the last word had
been said so far as the city council Is
concerned regarding the proposition OF
| the Pawtucket Gas company, for a To-
year franchise In this city. In spite OF
the fact that the people OF the city by
an overwhelming vote through the me-
dium OF postal cards have declared that
they prefer TO have the city grant the
| franchise. still the common council lis
tening 10 the dictation OF few disap-
pointed politicians has again indefinitely
| postponed all action on the matter and
has voted TO discharge the committee
which was appointed TO investigate the
subject.
This may be satisfactory 10 tho men
who have been engineering this scheme
! but II is difficult to see what the people
have gained. In fact II is certain that
| the people have been absolutely losers by
the action Of the council. Those who
use gas have got TO pay "a price hwcih by
| 33 per cent. higher than that which IL
paid for the same thing In Pawtucket.
and all because certain half dozen poll
ticians have got the members OF the
4 common council under their thumb
One argument which was raised 60
show that the people would not be made
to suffer was an opinion by a Provi-
! dence attorney which opinion was prob
| ably paid for and anyone who knows the
ways OF the legal fraternity realizes that
| the lawyer will give an opinion in ac-
! cordance with the desires OF the men
who employ him. Mr.. Bassett did not
say in his opinion that II the city went
| 10 court on this question 1t would win
| out.
! lie simply declared that he thought
they would have a good case. but there
| is not a lawyer in the land who will not
| tell a client about the same thing, es-
| pecially II he thinks there is a chance
| for him 10 get the case when IL Is tried
But under any circumstances II would
be a long time before any final decision
was reached for whatever the lower
! court should decide, II IL was against the
gas company IL is fair to presume that
! IL would be taken TO the supreme court
| and In the meantime the gas consumers
! would be called upon TO pay the bills
| at the higher rate and unless they settled
! the company will probably treat them as
It does any other consumer who fails
TO pay his bills for gas used. At the end
OF three months II the bill still remains
| unpaid. the gas meter Is taken out and
then tho family goes TO using the product
OF the Standard Oil trust. the only alter
native being 10 lay in soodly supply
OF tallow dips.
While all this Is going on and the cases
are being tried In the courts, the people
OF the other places are going TO get their
gas at the cheaper rate.
The other feature OF this is the cost
OF carrying the case 10 the courts. 1t
costs money 10 have litigation and some
one has to settle. II Is difficult TO see
who is going 10 be benefited even II in
the end the cases should be decided
against the gas company.
But In a couple OF months now there
is going to be an election. and II one can
read the times right there is an excel
| lent reason for believing that the men
| who have allowed themselves TO be used
/ in this matter will have a chance 10 rest
! from their arduous labors as city coun-
| cilmen. The postal card vote shows that
| the people want the cheaper gas. and now
the present council has shown that IT
| will not give Il there Is excellent reason
! 10 expect that they will elect one that
will give IL.
EXCURSION TAKES PLACE.
The poor children enjoyed their an
nual excursion yesterday the destination
being Crescent Park. The party num-
bered about 700. and was in charge Of
Overseer OF the Poor Charles f. Frost.
Mayor McNally accompanied the children
on the trip Each was furnished a lolly-
pop and when the park was reached all
the amusements were enjoyed. A shore
dinner was served and the party return
ed thoroughly satisfied with the out
ing.
TO BE TRIED NEXT WEEK.
The trial OF James De Graft and Mary
Thompson Of Cumberland, who are joint
ly charged with neglect in connection
with the death OF their infant child, was
TO have taken place yesterday in the
district court BY agreement OF counsel
the trial was continued for one week
pending the result of the inquest which
Is being conducted by Coroner Broderick
OF Cumberland.
THE LAST TRIAL.
The veteran firemen gave the Volunteer
a last trial last evening and the old ma
chine threw a stream Of about 100 feet.
Final preparations have been made for
the muster Labor Day. and the mem
bers expect TO bring back a prize. The
party will leave for Bristol on the S:2o
train Monday morning.
SEWER NEARLY COMPLETED.
The work -tAe-watsou street sewer
is nearly completed and will probably be
finished next week This is the only work
OF Importance aside from that on Tiffany
street that the highway department has
attempted this season as the city council
wished to reduce expenses. The next work
OF the department will be the laying Of a
small stretch of sewer on Clinton street.
LIBRARY RE-OPENS
The public library will be re-opened this
evening after being closed for two
months The building has been thorough
ly renovated and many much needed re-
pairs have been made. II is probable that
many will avail themselves OF the oppor-
tunlty to obtain books.
/ ENTERTAINED DEPARTMENT PRES
IDENT.
Ballou Relief corps rendered a recep-
ton last evening 10 Department Presl-
dent Mrs. Rosa A Patt In honor OF her
return from the national convention at
Minneapolis. In addition to the members
OF her stan the members OF Ballou Post.
No. 3. q. A. r., under command OF Post
Commander George II. Cheek, were also
present as guests.
II was expected that Department Com
mander Greene and stan would be pres
ent, but for some cause he failed 10 put
In an appearance.
Mrs. Ralph Daniels. the president OF the
cOrps presided and "A program consist