The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-01-07

lowing. provision OF chapter n OF the
general laws:
I'm case any corporation shall do
business In more than one town or city,
and II shall be unable TO ascertain the
amount of it's gross earnings I'm each
town or city separately from actual
accounts kept thereof, Its returns OF
gross earnings OF its entire business,
and the length OF Its wires, pipes, mains
or tracks In the streets and highways
OF each town or city, and the gross
earnings from it's business In the town
or city, shall be taken 10 be that pro-
portion of the whole gross earnings
which the length OF it's wires pipes,
mains or tracks in the streets and high
ways OF such city or town bears 10 the
total length of wires, pipes, mains or
tracks in streets and highways" (See
charter and special laws, 1901, pages
by this method OF accounting, the
more tracks, lines, wires, etc, the COM
panies have outside the city the smaller
proportion OF gross earnings the city
receives. Our compensation depends
upon the length OF tracks, lines, wires.
way sidngs and terminals.) our popu-
lation and the volume OF traffic may
increase. but our share OF the gross
earnings is limited to the length Of
I state positively that the railroad. and
other public service corporations. can
keep an account OF their gross earnings,
steps should be taken at once 20 ensure
such accounting. This matter was
brought TO the attention OF the common
OF the subjetc two years ago, The COM
mttee on railroads recommended that the
petitioner be given leave 10 withdraw.
The subject was not discussed.
AS the concerns furnishing the above
mentioned service enjoy exclusive rights
and have\a monopoly In their respective
lines. theyNix charges at viii; consequent
~ / recommend the appointment OF a
Joint special committee 10 investigate, and
10 confer with said corporations with a
view 10 securing such equitable reduc-
tions as should be made at this time
Tunnel or subway Through College
Hill.
The rapid growth of population I'm the
First and Second wards. the increased de-
mand on the street car service from East
Providence. and the opening OF a new
route to Pawtucket via Hope street, have
so oveT1axed the capacity of the counter
weight system that prompt movement OF
the cars over College hill Is impossible
for large part Of each day. and during
rush hours the delays severely tax the pa
Uence OF those who are crowded into the
small cars which alone can be used on all
the routes over the hill.
Many schemes have been suggested:
Viaduots. easy grade street Of many de-
signs and In almost every conceivable
location from the north OF Bowen street
TO the south OF Charles Field street. COM
bfnations OF easy grade streets and via
ducts and tunnels. A council committee
mas naO the uDueI fOnSlueIHtlOn
for several years. has had many petitions
referred to it. has employed at consider
able expense expert advice, and has given
private and public hearings. but has not
as yet made a report recommending any
plan for meeting the demand for better
access 10 the East Side and improved rail-
way facilities. This demand has increas-
ed very much while the committee has
had the subject before 1t, with an impa-
tient public waiting for relief.
IL has been clearly demonstrated that
a .ae rNQ I1Vs@N = 11W .sN
unanimously opposed TO viaducts that
they do not want an easy grade street
with two lines OF street car tracks. and
an overwhelming ma Jority believe that
the city OF Providence should build n
tunnel through the hill from the centre
of the city TO Thayer street, with double
should be paid by the railroad; This toll
should be enough 10 pay the interest on
the cost and maintenance of the tunnel
and 10 create sinking fund with which
10 pay the bonds the same plan as has
been followed in Boston and other cities
where increased travel has made subway
accommods ton a necessity.
make a report. and that the necessary
steps will be taken In order that contracts
may be made for building tunnel. If II
travel before Il could be completed. ready
for use. would be SO great as 10 make
the task OF accommodating this travel al
most impossible. and the longer the con-
struction OF the tunnel is delayed the
greater the Inconvenience TO a long-suffer-
Ing public and the consequent delay in
the full development OF a portion Of the
city which Is retarted in It's growth for
want OF adequate car service
On the 7th of June, 19of. Resolution. No.
1877 was approved directing the committee
on an East Side thoroughfare 20 examine
into and report upon the advisabillty OF
widening or extending any existing street,
or OF lavdng out new highways so as 10
a ford better facilities for travel to and
from thA East Side Of the citV
In furtherance OF this idea a petition
was presented TO the city council signed
by 2S taxpaying citizens. many OF whom
are assessed on very large estates, and
upon whom a. goodly share OF the cost
would fall. asking for the extension of
Waterman street. the northerly line OF
northerly line Of Washington street and
Exchange place projected through to
North Main street This petition was re
ferred to the committee. March &. 1906,
but no report has been made upon It.
The city has at large expense built and
wddened It's bridges and improved Ex
tions. IL should now complete the work
by removing the barrier between North
Main street and Canal street, and open up
that part OF Exchange place and the new
now called Postoffbce square. The petition
pres ented to the city council and the gen
eral expression OF. the people that this
barrier be removed is demanded by the
people of Providence for the following
rea SONS:
lst. To give a safe and adequate access
10 and from the railroad and the business
portion OF the city for the convenience
OF the rapidly Increasing population on
the East Side, a population which in a few
years viii be more than 5000 people.
2nd. To give needed space for the in
creased railroad traffic In a street wide
enough for two tracks without interfering
with business as a single track now does
on Steeple street
Sd To complete the la ayout of Exchange
place by extending the civic centre. so
that " shall embrace the new postoffice,
and the grounds Of the First Baptist
church, which latter should he brought
prominently into view because OF it's his-
toric interest as the site OF the church es-
tablished by Roger williams and fellow
founders Of the city and for aesthetic
rea sons
4th. To continue the broad opening OF
Exchange place TO BENEFIT street as q fire
stop, between the northern and so'ithern
parts OF the city. The value OF such A Ire
stop has been fully demonstrated IN San
Francisco and Baltimore. and Its absence
was one Of the contributing causes OF the
inability 10 sooner check the Boston fire
IL n clearly evident that Waterman
street should be extended TO Canal street
and all the reasons for It's extension are
why the north nne OF the neW