The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-09-17
Tunnel Must Begin South
of the North Line of
Waterman Street as
Proposed by Councilman
PearCe.

The common council last evening adopt
ed the resolution accompanying the re-
port OF the special committee on the East
Side approach after amending II to pro-
vide that the tunnel under College hill
should begin "southerly of the northerly
line OF Waterman street" which leaves
open the question of the location OF the
westerly portal OF the tunnel until such
time as a public hearing may be held af-
ter the general assembly shall have per-
mitted the city council to grant authority
TO the Rhode Island company TO build the
tunnel.
The tunnel may be carried directly up TO
the line of large elm trees upon the land
OF the First Baptist meeting house. max
ing the opening on Waterman street near
North Main street II the board of trus
tees OF the Rhode Island School OF Design
does not withdraw It's objection TO allow
ing the tunnel TO run under the school
Mayor Mccarthy attended the meeting
and at the suggestion of Councilman
Flynn was invited TO address the council
The mayor counselled postponement OF
further consideration of the resolution
for another week at least that the public
might have time in which TO look more
fully into the proposition, and that the
best civil engineers of Providence, acting
in conjunction with those who built the
Boston subway, might confer as TO the
more advisable and more satisfactory plan
10 be adopted.
Mr. Makepeace. chairman OF the special
committee on the East Side approach.
called from the table the report and ac-
companying resolution submitted by his
comittee, and moved that the resolution
be put upon its passage.
Mr. Sears said he desired to know
whether II the resolution should be adopt
ed. this plan could in any way be changed
- Ill al oTffn
that is. as to the width OF the tunnel, It's
location and direction.
Mr.. Makepeace explained that permis-
sion was given in the resolution to the
city council 10 make any changes IL saw
fit.
Mr.. Flynn said he had learned from the
evening papers that the mayor had
communication which he desired 10 nave
brought before the council.
PRESIDENT SARCASTIC.
President Balch then announced that
the clerk had placed the communication
referred TO upon his (the presidents) desk
and that "for the benefit of those VINO
had not already read it In print In the
evening papers he would read IL in full'
which was done forthwith.
Mr. Flynn said he had understood Mr'
Sears to ask Chairman Makepeace wheth,
er suggested changes could be proVlueu
a
tunnel was actually begun--that Is as 10
changing the opening of the tunnel SO
that IL might be upon Waterman street.
Mr. Makepeace replied that he did not
see any reason why such change on
any other might not be made
Mr.. Flynn rejoined that this reply hal
disposed OF one of the points which the
mayor had raised In his communication
TO the city council. But he said he would
like TO know II there was anything in the
resolution which would prevent the city
from placing water pipes. electric wire
conduits and gas mains in the tunnel.
Mr. Makepeace affirmed that there was
nothing in the resolution which would
prevent such uses OF the tunnel.
Mr. Flynn said he did not see any rea-
son why the common council should not
adopt the resolution; at the same time ne
desired to know II the matters which the
mayor had spoken OF could be carried out.
Mr.. PEARCE WANTS TO KNOW.
Mr. Pearce asked II the resolution ac-
tuaIIy limited The location OF the tunnel
so that IL later 1t might be found advisa-
bic to go into Waterman street somebody
would turn up and say. mo, that cannot
be done"
AS resolution read the line of the tun-
mel was limited to the southerly line of
Waterman street If the resolution re-
mained as II read could the committee go
into Waterman street with the tunnel?
Mr.. Makepeace answered in the mega
tive. He was sure that all the members
or the council would agree that the tun-
mel should not interfere with this school
Mr. McNamee pressed for information
as TO whether the plan could be amended
before the draft was prepared TO be sub
mitted TO the general assembly, and Mr..
Makepeace explained that the resolution
committed the city TO the building OF
tunnel but not absolutely along the lines
mentioned In the resolution. He would
suggest that the changes referred TO by
the mayor could be considered by the city
council. II they were acceptable they
might be incorporated in the draft of the
act
Mr. McNamee wanted to be assured
about was that the hands OF the city and
of the city council were not TO be tied
so that both would be found helpless
President Balch expressed the opinion