The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-12-03


The mayors message urged that IL the |
city was 10 hire money for investments |
in future &C would make no mistake In |
using such funds in the requirement and /
development OF water highways and mu- I
nicipal docks. lie advised the purchase
OF one. or both. OF two pieces OF property. |
now tide-howed. fronting on Aliens ave- !
nue.. pointing out that the property could }
be filled TO grade in few years without |
additional expense TO the city: and both !
parcels could now be obtained at a rea-
sonable price.
Then the city could have wharves not |
controlled by the New York. New Ha-
ven and Hartford Railroad company, |
which dominates the steam and street |
railways of the state besides having most |
OF the dock facilities on Providence's wa /,
terfront.
TENT OF MAYORS MESSAGE.
The mayors message In full follows:
The city OF Providence is the CONNER
cial centre OF the state OF Rhode Island. !
made so by reason OF its natural and Inn
proved advantages for traffic terminals
including the Providence river harbor,
located within the city limits and conven-
lent to all terminal facilities established
by railroads within the city. j quote the
following from my inaugural message of
Jan Z, 1907:
",rhe federal government has improved
the shipping facilities of the port Of Prov
idence by extensive dredging for anchor
age purposes and has straightened the
ship channel below Fields Point, at
total expense for both projects to date OF
considerable over a million dollars. In
view OF these improvements and other
considerations the city OF Providence
should acquire title to property available
for wharf purposes, which can now be
procured at reasonable prices ana on
easy terms of payment.
In 1877 the harbor commissioners re-
commended the building of retaining
wall 60 feet west or the harbor line from
Hills wharf to Sassafras Point, the
space behind the wall to be filled I'm and
TO be used for wharf purposes From this
, retaining wall wharves could be project
ed to the harbor line having length OF
COO feet which would enable boats or
| modern size and construction To dock cas-
| lily and discharge cargoes. A9
I'm 1891 n joint resolution was passed
directing the city solicitor TO apply TO the
general assembly for authority to hire
$l50 900 to build tho above retaining wall
! from Hill's wharf to Sassafras Point.
J "In 1898 a Joint special committee was
directed 10 apply to the general assembly
for authority TO build suitable bulkhead
or retaining wall on the west side OF the
river.
COMMISSIONERS IDEA.
Early I'm 1899 the harbor commission
crs made a report recommending early
permanent harbor improvements on the
west shore, between Hills wharf and Sas-
sa fras Point. The city council voted to
ask the legislature for authority TO hire
$4,000 with which to commence the work
of improving and increasing the wharf
facilities and other needed improvements.
The legislature promptly granted the au-
thority. This was nearly eight years ago,
yet nothing has been done toward carry
ing out this proposed plan.
following n
ter from the chief engineer of the Massa-
chusetts board OF harbor and land COM
missions. dated Dec. IS. 1906:
| Nearly all the wharves which are fire.
quented by steamers running 20 foreign
ports are owned or controlled by the rail
road companies. who furnish free wharf
age or dockage for these steamers end
for Ike goods landed and shipped from
them. whenever the goois are handled ty
the railroad. but charging wharfage on
| all goods delivered to teams
1.-The wharves frequented by coastwise
steamers and fruit steamers are owned
either by the steamship companies or pri-
vate individuals and leased to the steam-
ship companies. Any goods brought by or
taken away by these coastwise steamers
and which are brought into or shipped
from Boston by rail are either delivered
to and from the coastwise steamers by
teams. car floats or ordinary lighters.
80 II is the present policy of the COM
monwealth to retain the remaining 'front.'
age and lease IL TO the business interests,
either steamer companies, railroad com
panies or others
COMMERCIAL IMPORTANCE.
'The Importance of orr large cities
Boston. New York. Philadelphia, I.alti-
more and New Orleans--;s largely die TO
commerce and the interest which has
been taken In their harbors 10y their citi-
zens. The city OF New York has been
made the metropolis maialy hy It's com
nerce which would never have been pos
| sihle had she not seen the advantage oi
municipal ownership OF docks "
IL we are to indulge In hiring money tc
invest in the future let il be for mun,ci
pal ownership and Development of cul
water highways. The New York, New Ha
ven and Hartford Railroad company nov
controls the steam and street railways o
the state. II has extensive wharf frontag'
on the Providence river aud is rapid!
getting more. and IL s.cips nuite proba
BILE that In short time al; our trade ter
mnal facilities will pc controlled by sal,
company. and thus Providence will 81
subject TO the dictation OF this powerful
corporation and its allies. Greater Provi
dencS and future Rhode Island denanJ:
our immediate consideration of the sub
. ject.
The proposition 10 acquire harbor
frontage on the west side of Providence
river. as municipal property. has been
agitnted for many years past. nave
: been corresponding with the owners OF
one parcel OF tide flowed land, contain
ng 80 acres. bounding on Aliens ave
: nue.. near oxford street. lOVg ieet IN
width extending 10 the harbor line
, about 1900 feeO. during the past year.
: and have assurance that said owners VIII
, prefer the city as n purchaser. said par
eel can be utilized as a public dumping
ground, and thus an the grade In few
years without expense
4 nave assurance OF an option on an
! other tract on the same side of the river,
, a short distance south OF said parcel.
with a frontage OF 1900 feet on deep wa
ter and containing about 30 acres. with
the right to construct q railway To Allen :
| avenue. The owners OF this tract prefer
land on the harbor line on the west side
Both parcels can be acquired nj a rea-
sonable price. upon cdsy terms OF pay
| ment, providing the city council takes
| action on the matter without delay. and
therefore recommend the passage OF the