The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-09-06
LET RAILROAD BUILD
AND CITY BUY TUNNEL
(contInued from Page one.l

from rage Ouost
the Rhode Island company, and later
with the new management. have not
shared the Views OF those who have be-
lieved that ownership OF the tunnel by
the railroad company would be directiy
against the best interests Of the city.
1T has seemed 10 me that inasmuch az
the city OF Providence controlled the
tracks one inch from the portal OF the
made very little difference. and that IL
the railroad company was willing TO bear
all the expense of construction, the city
gaining the rapid transit for its citizens,
together with the increase OF taxation,
receipts which would necessarily result,
IL would be greatly to the advantage or
the city OF Providence.
You said at the meeting yesterday
that the railroad company would much
prefer to have the city build the tunnel,
and lease IL TO the railroad company.
than to have the railroad build II them
selves. / can see great disadvantage at
this time in this plan.
1T would be almost impossible for the
city OF Providence to float on any FAVOR
able terms such a loan as would be necs-
essary. 1t is also an engineering project
OF great magnitude.
"The alternative proposition which you
made. that the railroad company build
and own the tunnel. seems TO me the most
favorable plan from the standpoint OF the
city.
a
In favor OF the ownership OF the tunnel
by the city and against the ownership OF
the tunnel by the railroad company. To
satisfy this sentiment, which undoubtedly
exists, make the suggestion that the
railroad company build the tunnel at It's
own expense, the title thereof, of course.
to vest in the railroad company, with the
provision that the city OF Providence. at
any time after a certain number of years,
fna
tunael for the exact sum which II has cost
the Rhode Island company TO build II.
with, IL deemed advisable, an agreement
to lease IL 10 the railroad company for a
term OF years at a rental TO be agreed
upon.
''If the railroad company would accept
this proposition. or some modihcation
thereof, will you kindly reply to me, so
that / can present the matter at the meet
ing or the comittee tomorrow afternoon?"
Mr.. BUCKLAND WILLING.
Vice President Bucklands reply to this
suggestion is embodied in one communi-
cation, addressed to Chairman Makepeace
after stating that he feels that. the
Rhode Island company cannot afford to
contribute toward the layout OF any high
way or other public place west OF the east
line of North Main street" he says:
'Mr. Joseph Balch. president or the
city COOncll ana a VI yONt I'm
mittee. has suggested that I should make
a proposition which would permit the city
of Providence 10 purchase the tunnel
from the Rhode Island company, even
though the Rhode Island company should
build the same at the first instance, at its
own expense.
while / have not given this matter Sc
rious thought. / would meet his sugges-
ton by saying that II the city or Provi-
dence at any time within, say, 10 years
after the tunnel was built and operation
thereon begun, should desire to purchase
the tunnel, IL might do so by paying the
Rhode Island company the actual con-
struction cost and agreeing with the
Rhode Island company upon a lease OF
not less than 30 years for rental eQia
to the interest which the Rhode Islanc
company had heretofore been obliged tc
pay upon such construction cost; with the
further proviso that at the end OF the
lease the Rhode Island company should
have the right to relay its tracks upor
some street giving as convenient ap
proeeh as is now given by College street
IT have not had an opportunity TO con-
slider this last proposition with care and
merely give you the impression which is
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