The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-09-10
NEW TUNNEL PLAN
NOT RAILROADED

Continued from Page One.
This suggestion OF converting the
space between Steeple street and Arnold
block into a public square would be a
very desirable public Improvement, as II
would result In removing the car tracks
from North Main street between Market
square and Steeple street and furnish a
wide outlet for public travel passing
through Waterman street All street cars
entering the city from the north could be
turned through Steeple street into Ex-
change place and cars running through
the tunnel would enter or leave It's west
ern portal from a point on or near a line
which would be an extension OF the
southerly side OF Exchange place. Arnold
block and the land and buildings between
Arnold block and Steeple street are val
ued by the assessors OF taxes at $386. $50.
BY taking Arnold block. and the lanes
on the north and south sides OF said Ar,
mold block from North Main to Canal
street, highway over 100 feet wide may
be laid out without taking any other prt-
vate land. Arnold block and the block
next south running through from North
Main street TO Canal street are valued by
the assessors of taxes at $24, l20, and
Arnold block and the estate adjoining on
si7l, go
The extension of Waterman street TO
Canal street is recognized as public ne
cessity. 1t 10 asked for by the public and
unanimously recommended by your com
mittee whether a railway tunnel is built
now or later; and therefore your commit
tee believes that legislation should be OBJ
tained authorizing the layout or new
highway OF sufficient width to accommo-
date the demand OF public travel. For
council be authorized to expend the sum
OF $4,000 In addition to the 100000 au-
thorized for the layout of an East Side
thoroughfare in 1900.
RAILROAD CO-OPERATES
The above information and the tunnel
plan before mentioned were submitted to
the Rhode Island company, and the COM
mittee was gratifed to receive prompt
reply from Vice President Buckland Of
fering in behalf of his company to build
the proposed tunnel, or TO lease IL from
the city on certain conditions In case the
city should build II. Your committee Is
mel should be constructed at the earliest
possible moment, and believe that the
railroad company could probably build
this tunnel cheaper than the city. In Wow
OF the sentiment expressed by number
OF our citizens that the city should own
this tunnel your committee aeked Vice
President Buckland If the railroad COM
pany would be willing to build this tun-
mel and allow the city TO purchase IL at
cost. To this proposition the railroad
company gave a prompt and favorable
reply, and named certain conditions
which no doubt will be agreed upon be-
tween the representatives of the city and
the railroad company In case such plan
should be adopted. In the consideration,
however, Of this feature OF the problem.
your committee is not unmindful of the
fact that constant bond issues by cities
is continually impairing the credit OF
municipalities borrowing money In the
markets OF the world, and with tho pres
ent condition OF the money market and
the slow sale OF municipal bonds. Provi-
dence should not at this tinie Increase Its
bonded indebtedness.
- I.FGIsLATIoN NEEDED.
with the assistance Of the city solici-
tod the committee thereupon prepared a
form OF resolution authorizing the COM
mittee and the city solicitor TO cooperate