The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-12-23


for people waiting for cars near the city
hall and the Improvement OF the centre
OF Exchange place, Is being seriously
considered by tho city council. The COM
mIttee on railroads has supervision OF the
matter and II is understood that II in
tends TO make suggestions relative to re-
lieving Dorrance. Weybosset and West
minister streets OF much congestion, as
the streets are overcrowded. The street
railway layout contemplated is: The
double track on the northerly side of Ex-
change place retained; a new track on the
southerly side OF Exchange place for the
purpose of enabling cars TO turn eastward
from the city hall TO Canal and North
Main streets instead OF passing through
Dorrance, Mathewson and Weybosset.
The layout OF this short piece OF track Is
objected To by the mayor. who contends
that the city should not grant the loca-
the removal of the rails uncondtionally.
This Is the only point I'm the layout on
which differences of opinion are expected.
and the understanding is that the Rhode
Island company will refuse TO have
string tied to any part OF its Exchange
place tracks.
The company is reported to he willing
to remove it's rails from Weybosset and
Westminster streets without asking other
I'm the state law.
A very notable feature OF the new plan
is the erection of waiting room on Ex-
change place. The railroad is ready TO
build n shelter for the passengers, wher-
ever IL will be most suitable TO the ciu-
zens who can voice their opinions at the
public hearing on the matter. The city In
tends building a public lavatory in con-
nection with the company's waiting room.
VICE PRESIDENT BUCKLAND.
Vice President Buckland yesterday eA-
posed his idea OF waiting place for pas
sengers using the loop in Exchange place
as follows:
"Of one thing / am very sure; there
ought not TO be any well-warmed ana
well-lighted waiting room furnished either
by the city or by the Rhode Island COM
many. one such place Is a big enough nui-
sance. and we have 1t I'm our steam rail-
road waiting room.
oOn the other hand. / am just as hrm-
ly OF the belief that somewhere, eitner III
Exchange place or I'm the park porderihs
upon II. there should be place or refuge
and shelter from inclement weather for
persons waiting for cars. The place
where this should be built is where IL
will do the most good and be the least
from an architectural stand
point In connection with IL, there should
be built by the city comfort station,
which needless TO say. should be as IN
as possible
"I am inclined TO disagree with those
who favor the building of waiting sta
ton I'm any portion OF the plaza. The
public will be better served and the plaza
will not be disfigured II the station be
built along the sidewalk at the foot OF
the slope on Exchange place teast or
north) OF Francis street. This Is the
architectural treatment as seen under
L.. A. .t..s.f f... aNa1
Cleveland, o., where the subject has besn
studied
COMMISSIONER sLADE SAYS.
Commissioner OF Public Works Slade
advocates the Improvement of the GEN.
trail part OF Exchange place. He said:
THE station should be placed where 4
will be most convenient 10 the public. The
loop idea Is excellent: IL offers the best
remedy for blockades In Weybosset. Dor
rance and Mathewson streets. The CEN
tire OF Exchange place should be made
presentable by grass and low-erowing
shrubbory. Large trees do not seem TO
he appropriate for parkway between
the city hall and the new postoffice.
refuge is needed for those who cross Ex-
change place, and an area OF grass with
walks will have practical as well as or
namental value. I believe that the city
should provide a comfort station some
where near the city hall IL can be in
corporated with the Rhode Island COM
pany's shelter and need not be conspicu-
Gus This part of the Improvement should
be passed upon by the inspector OF
plumbing who for some time has studied
the subject OF comfort stations and is the
municipal authority on sanitary plumb
ing. The waiting rooms at Market square.
They were large and fairly comfortable.
but self-respecting passengers hesitated
10 enter them because OF the apparent inn
possibility of excluding loafers who had
no thought of riding on cars. We don't
want another such nuisance and shell
ter from rain and snow seems 10 be all
that the Rhode Island company should
be asked 10 furnish. If station coald
be reserved exclusively for passengers /
have no doubt that the company would
be liberal i'm expending money for COM
fort and ornamental features
INSPECTOR BEMIs.
Reuben l.. Bemis inspector OF plumb
ing says;
"we should have public toilet room
I'm the immediate vicinity OF the city hall
J have advocated the idea I'm the annual
reports OF the plumbing department and
will renew the recommendations IN the
report to be presented to the new city
council. The city has an appropria ton
OF $4,000 for this purpose, aud I earnest
ly advocate its judicious expenditure Mr..
Bucklands = oner or sheltered waiting
place for passengers affords excellent op-
portunity for cooperation. II will be a
mistake not 10 supplement this station
with toilet room which I'm my judgment
Is public necessity. other cities arc
providing these facilities and Providence
will not be making doubtful experiment
IN IN follows the excellent example set
by several American municipal govern.
ments.
MY idea Is that the location should he
at tho westerly end OF tho proposed park
way In Exchange place--practically OF
the old site of tho Soldiers and Sailors
monument. This will make II very acces-
sible from Dorrance street. and az the
city hall Is 20 be the terminus Of the out
of-town car lines the railway waiting
room and comfort station should be al
this point Make the building low and oi
neat design and IL will not obstruct any
view and will accommodate the largest
number OF people. believe the site direct,
| ly opposite the city hall is much better
| for all concerned than one on the NORTH
side Of Exchange place on the park al
| Joining tho New Haven passenger sta
| ton"
| GENERAL, MANAGER POTTER