The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-09-13

Both branches Of the city council held
meetings last evening. There was not a
great deal OF routine business 10 be trans
acted. and the most important matter was
the report OF the committee which APP
pointed some time ago 10 investigate the
fee question This committee was appoint
ed shortly after the local companies
raised their prices 100 per cent. and at
that time the people were sweltering un-
der the extreme heat Of the summer. II
was fully understood at the time that
nothing could be done to relieve them
from the extortions of the ice companies
at present, but IL was believed that some
information might be secured whereby
such a condition OF things would not face
the people another year. This report made
last evening which appears elsewhere In
this issue is believed 10 be most import
ant one.
The report was not read at the meeting
OF either branch Of the council last even
ing The concluding resolution was pre-
sented 10 each body and passed and this
provides that the report shall be printed
and copies OF II shall be distributed
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
The board of aldermen was called TO
order at $50 o'clock Acting President
Wood In the chair and all of the mem
bers present The records OF the last
meeting were read and approved.
A petition was received from the Paw
tucket Street Railway company. Rhode
Island company. lessee. for the right 10
lay rails for a branch-off across East
avenue into the property OF the Standard
Bottling company. about midway between
James and Tower streets; also for the
ri nh 10 ~ x.yir or
for the operation of the cars on the
branch-ofr On motion OF Alderman Thay-
er the petition was referred To the COM
missioner OF public works. with power 10
act
A communication was received from +.
III. Battilana chairman OF the New Eng
land Insurance exchange. setting forth
how the city could have its insurance
rates reduced as follows: Establishment
OF municipal electrical inspection de-
partment by ordinance and appointment
OF an inspector, "A reduction OF five cents;
Increase OF an additional permanent fire.
man at each fire station and the two
smai-zized steam fire engines which are
very old and not reliable. should be re-
placed by two engines OF modern con-
struction OF the second-class type for use
in serious fires. five cents; immediate ac-
tion by city council TO provide for in-
stalling additional boilers and a modern
Is, 5,00O, O,Oe-gallon pump and No ! fire sta.
ton. five cents. all fire alarm wires placed
In conduits under the ground TO insure
safety against storms. five cents total
OF 20 cents. The matter was referred to
the committee on finance.
A petition for the purchase of a strip
OF land at the junction OF Broadway and
Cottage street for use as a park. signed
by 156 names. was read and referred to
the committee on finance.
resolutions
Improving Birch street from Prairie ave-
nue. to Crane street, and 5000 for improv-
ing Prairie avenue, for a point 800 feet
southerly. were passed In concurrence. A
petition for the acceptance OF Whitman
street, from Main 10 Randall street was
referred TO the committee on highways
The report OF the special committee on
ice investigation was received from the
common council. and the resolution order
Ing the committee continued was read and
passed in concurrence.
Petitions OF John II. Higgins and John
Mulvey for a vlctuallng house license and
Max Standel for junk license were re-
ferred 10 the committee on police and IL
censes. The petition Of Albert E. Evans
for bowling alley license was granted.
The petition of Edward +. Albee for IL
cense for Music hall for the season OF
lse6-07 was granted and the petitions OF
Lyon Harootunian for transfer of his
victualling house license TO Nj. George
were also granted
The following were granted milk IL
censes their applica tions bearing the app
proval OF the milk inspector: Everett +.
Ferrent, Florence T.. Harrison James f..
Mack. Herbert T. Gardiner. Albert Cino-
mars, II. and NJ. @. Andrews, Franklin
y. Capwell
Curblng assessments for Montgomery
street. from Exchange street 10 Miller
street, 1924. Patterson avenue from
Newell avenue TO Main street $3.50 60, and
Melton street, from Merrick TO Bullock
street, S469 ~, were confirmed.
The monthly reports OF the city physi-
clan, overseer OF the poor and captain OF
police were ordered placed on file The
bill OF Henry 5. Phillips for burying an
INDECENT soldier. John w. Rothwell.
amounting TO $s5. was ordered paid. Ad-
Journed.
COMMON COUNCIL.
The meeting OF the common council was
somewhat enlivened by the efforts OF
Councilman Hughes OF the Third ward 20
prevent the printing OF the report OF the
committee on ice He at first declared
that the council had no authority TO
spend money for this and he wanted the
opinion OF the city solicitor on the sub
ject. but this was not forthcoming and
his motions TO stop the expenditure of
money for this purpose failed OF passage
Mr. Hughes also during the meeting at
tempted 10 secure some Information re-
garding the cost OF the new No. fire
station. He wanted 10 find out II the
completed. but he was able 90 secure NO
information OF any kind except the state
ment OF Councilman Hawes that the
building was I'm good condition.
The council was called 90 order by Pres.
ident Hughes with all OF the members
present except Councilman Bradley Lot
selle and Fitzpatrick and the records OF
the last meeting were read and approved.
The report OF the ice committee was
then introduced Clerk Getchell stated
that the report was a very lengthy one
and would take up considerable time "
n was all 10 be read. He suggested that
he would select what were the important
parts OF the report and read them FOR the
council This the clerk ala and also the
resolution ordering the committee on ice
Investigation 20 investigate the subject
further.
Councilman Joseph A. Hughes suggest
I'd that ft first referred ~ tl4e-eIts $50
iicitor 10 ascertain II the city had the
right 20 indulge In the building OF an ice
plant.
Councilman Barker stated that there
was no question as 10 the city's right In
this matter and tho city could do ~. as
there was no money evolved.
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