The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-01-01
MAYOR DYER'S
MESSAGE To THE
CITY COUNCIL.

Generally speaking the streets of this city
are narrow and were laid out 10 meet lhe
necessities OF a small provincial town.
| The c ity is fast becoming metropolitan
I'm it's character Increased population.
urban and suburban, has brought a traf-
fic 10 this city. increasing in extent, that
will soon be difficult 20 accommodate.
The use and occupation or our narrow
sidewalks By candy and fruit stands and
I'm some instances a large portion OF the
street itself by fruit and produce dealers,
results I'm greatly restricting the space
needed for the general public in our
crowded main highways and sidewalks.
The nature OF the fruit and produce busi-
ness is OF such a character that undouDt-
edly there is a large amount OF merchan-
disc that is delivered and sold before IL
could be carried into the store. Yet be-
Iieve a large part OF this trouble could
be avoided and the business carried on
as expeditiously IL the proprietors would
hire larger spaces within the buildings 10
store the goods This they will not do as
long as they can use the public streets
for nothing. In any case the storage or
ali goods upon the sidewalks for display
only should be prohibited
Il would refer to one other subject con-
nected with the congested condition OF
the roadways OF our principal streets.
BY an ordinance Of the city council, ac-
tion has been taken 20 Sestrict the size
OF trolley cars Some similar action Is
necessary so regulate the dimensions OF
vehicles that are to be permitted TO stand
alongside the curbstones of our narrow
streets With unusual wide running gears
and extending covers they occupy so
running of cars and cause serious inter
running OF cars and causle serious inter-
ruption 10 public travel IL ie a matter
that the city should be able To regulate
without serious Inconvenience TO our mer-
chants or 20 persons engaged in the team
ing business.
Another violation OF the city ordinan-
ces tends TO obstruct the view and detract
from the pleasing appearance OF our
! streets l refer 10 the manner I'm which
numerous signs and banners are hung
! over or project out into the street That
| they are liable to fall and injure one
| passing beneath them is shown by the
fact that during the past year two or
| three have broken away from insecure
| fastenings and dropped TO the pavement
| below. Huge banners in flaming colors
obstruct the light from adjoining build
| ings and screen the business places OF
| others who prefer 10 exercise little civ
ic pride rather than TO display such ques-
tionable methods OF advertising. There Is
case now before the court 10 test the
question OF the right 20 make such dis
play. The use OF electric signs in other
cities is not discouraged but is controlled
by proper regulations restricting their
size and requiring that they be securely
fastened to the buildings from which they
project.
by ordinance OF the city council, the
owners OF all overhead wires in the close
building districts have been directed TO
cause the same TO be removed. The time
permitted for the removal OF such wires
has long since expired, but there still re-
main In use a large number owned by
private corporations and individuals, In
"a fr- apA nh nd
There is always the liability OF such wires
falling upon and coming I'm contact with
the high tension wires of the Rhode ISL
and company. Under such conditions they
are a menace TO life and the security OF
buildings from fire. The insurance COM
panies have complained OF the matter and
Will probably ask the city council TO take
some action to insure a more eeffctive
control OF overhead wires,
WATER WORKS.
I'm order to compete with neighboring
cities in low water rates, st was decided
some years ago that it would be neces-
sary to place the finances OF the water
department in good condition. Upon in
vestigation into the financial condition OF
the water works OF northern towns and
cities IL was found that In most cases
ample provisions were being made by
means OF sinking funds TO meet the pay
due. 1t was then decided that unless this
city adopted tho same policy. IL would find
itself I'm a few years compelled to pay
very heavy sum for interest on It's
water debt and would be In no position
90 compete with neighboring cities whose
water works were practically free from
debt. This policy was adopted in 1891.
At that time the sum OF 70 only.
had been PLACID TO the account OF sinking
funds from the income OF the water de-
partment When the time arrived for the
payment upon the bonds due July l. 1900
the city was able to retire A,3A 5000 OF
bonds but was obliged TO refund 81 666.-
10000. The same policy has been contn-
ued and the city will be able 10 retire the
entire issue that comes due July /. 1905
"Thrty-hve years have elapsed since
the water works were practically cont
pleted and the depreciation in water
mains and pumping machinery Is quite
marked. The daily consumption OF water
has also increased 20 suoh an extent as
20 require a larger pump and a new force
main from the engine house az petta-
consett 10 Sockanosset reservoir. The
loss OF fire pressure I'm the city has called
for the immediate installation OF an ad-
dtional and larger leading main from
Sockanosset reservoir into the city The
increased population and additional mills
along tho upper borders Of the Pawtuxet
river and It's tributaries has compelled
the construction of a filter plant
Acting under the direction OF the city
council and with the advice OF the jolnt
! committee on city engineers department.
a system Of 1Iters has been constructed
OF which six beds are I'm operation and
two additional beds nearly completed A
new % 10000 gallon Allls-Chalmers pump
ing engine has been erected and placed
In service during the past year. The A. .
| inch additional force main has also been
laid. Al the rights OF way for the new
42-inch leading main from Socksnosset
RESERVOIR into the city NJ Olneyvile have
been acquired The contract for furnish
ing the main pipe and several large con-
Meeting mains within the city limits has