The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-12-03
PEOPLE WANT ACTION.

That the present city council will take no ac-
tion whatever on the East Side tunnel matter ap-
pears now to be an absolute certainty The special
committee which gave several public hearings and
which, through subcommittee ascertained the
attitude of the traction companys management
toward the tunnel project, has, so far can be
certained, prepared no report nor is it likely TO do
so before the city government elected in November
last comes into Office in January next.
While the failure of the committee to reach
some conclusion on this important but long-delayed
enterprise is regretted, it is probable the death Of
Alderman Cooke, the chairman, was largely re-
sponsibe, as it must have disarranged the commit
tees plans and perhaps rendered mpracticable the
rendering of a comprehensive and adequate report.
With the incoming of new municipal gov
ernment however, the people will look for prompt
and decisive action. Further delay they will view
with mpatence because they do not believe it either
necessary or warranted.
This East Side approach question has been
under discussion for years. 1t has been thorough
ly thrashed out, and the wish, not only of the resi-
dents of the East Side section, who are directly
affected but of the people of the entire community,
has been made Enthusiastically clear.
Hearings given few months ago made it
plain that public sentiment is Overwhelmingly in
favor of tunnel and unalterably opposed to the
construction of an easy grade street Another fact
has been impressively demonstrated. 1t is that the
demand of the people is for tunnel to be con-
structed by the city and to remain permanently the
property of the city
The traction company, through Mr. Perry
made known to the special approach committee its
wishes concerning the project. Its proposition
is, in brief that the city shall lend its credit for
the necessary to the construction of the tunnel
that the company shall pay the interest on the
bonds and additional to create a sinking
fund with which to retire the bonds when they ma
ture, and that when the bonds have been taken up
the tunnel ownership shall pass absolutely TO
the traction company
AS this proposition was never laid before the
city council it is not known how it is viewed by
the members of that body That the people of
Providence are almost unit in opposing it can be
asserted without the hazard OF successful contra
diction.
Why indeed should the city loan its credit TO
a corporation engaged in business for the private
profit of its stockholders? Why should it be thus
generous to the point of fatuty toward a corpora
tion which by sneak legislation secured what it
claims to be perpetual franchise in the thorough
fares of Providence?
Has the traction company's policy toward the
public been such as to justify such valuable ac-
commodation the use OF the citys credit for
81 100000 or more would be? Hardly.
But, waving these considerations, the tunnel
project should be dealt with by the representatives
of the city as purely business proposition
tunnel is required to furnish quicker, safer and
more direct means of communication between the
east side and the centre of the city.
That is to say, it is public necessity, and
when it is constructed the work will be paid for by
money obtained the public credit, and the public
which furnishes the credit should permanently own
the tunnel which it has paid for.
Little heed need be given the veiled threat that
unless il is TO have the ultimate ownership OF 1t,
the traction company will refuse to make use OF
the tunnel. There is slight danger OF any such
refusal but even though in spirit of bumptous-
ness the Perry corporation should make prctcnce
Of declining to run its through the tunnel there
is more than way by which it can be promptly
and effectively brought to terms.
To the incoming city council the people will
look for speedy action. The delay in entering upon
this long needed improvement has tried the public
patience to the limit, and to prolong it further will
provoke public indignation