The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-09-04
BUILD OR RENT
TUNNEL PLANS
PUT UP TO CITY
lcenlinusa from Page onel

Continued from Page one.)
moyal or Arnold block and the block next
north Of II, and the conversion Of the
space now occupied by them Into public
| highway
Mr., auckland said that the Rhode Island
company cannet afferd to build the tunnel
and give II to the city, but II Is willing
for a term of not less than 80 years to
pay a flxed annual rental equivalent to
I the interest on the bvnds ff the city does
the work Of construction, but the com
pany would prefer to build the tunnst at
| Its ewn expense and retain the Title to
the Improvement, the city at It's own ex-
| pense to provide the highway approach
| by the removal OF Arnold block aud per-
NIT the Rhode Island company to make
necessary highway connections ut Thay-
or and North Main streets.
| The Rhode Island company in that event
would relocate water pipes and other con-
duits below the surface OF tho highways.
and might abandon College street as soon
as IL begins to operate cars through the
tunnel.
FOUR PLANS PROPOSED.
Four plans were really presented by
Mr.. Buckland In n communication yester-
day. but the two main plans were as fol-
lows:
II. The city will construct the tunnel
and the Rhode Island company will lease
II for period OF not less than 30 years
at a rental not exceeding the interest on
the construction bonds. but In no event
exceeding the rate Of ,per cent. The
Rhode Island company shall. during the
term OF the lease, have the right to oper-
ate II the same as over any private right
or way, but shall be obliged at its own
expense to maintain II In substantially as
good condition as when received, and to
deliver II back to the city at the expira-
tion OF the lease In equally good condi-
tion. The city, however, shall agree that
at the expiration OF the lease the Rhode
Island company may have the right to
construct Its track upon some highway
leading up the hill as convenient as Col
lege street now is.
go The Rhode Island company will
build a tunnel between the easterly line
OF North Main street and the westerly
line OF Thayer street substantially as
shown on your plan at Its sole expense
and will own, operate and maintain II an
its private location. The city will, at its
own sole expense. provide the highway
approach by the removal OF the Arnold
block. and will also permit the Rhode
| Island company to make the necessary
| highway connections at Thayer street and
| Mt North Main street With the rearrange-
ment OF tracks necessitated by the tun-
nell"
|
said:
"In constructing the tunnel tho Rhode
Island company will agree to take care OF
water pipes and other conduits occupy
| Ing the space below the surface of high
ways, so as not TO impair their efficiency,
and the city will waive any claim for
damages or payment for the occupation
OF the highway. In any event II is to be
| understood that the Rhode Island COM
4 aha
as II has begun TO operate its cars
through the tunnel
(which ever OFFER Is accepted addition
al legislation must be obtained before the
tunnel can be built. l would, therefore,
suggest that II the city accepts either OF
the foregoing offers the city solicitor shall
be instructed 10 join with the Rhode ISL
and company In asking the coming ses-
sion OF the legislature To grant the ncces-
sary authority for carrying out your
plan"
MIR. BUCKLAND TALKS.
Later Vice President Buckland said:
THE plans presented were asked for by
| the committee. IL seemed 20 be rather
| foolish. when the city and the company
can hire money on the same basis. to en-
ter into any plans which involve the
building OF tunnel upon the city bonds
| which the company is to retire. The
company would prefer 10 build, operate,
pay for and own the tunnel from the be-
| ginning.
Il think that the time which will be re-
| Quired for the construction OF the tunnel
will not be less than. 1S months During
our meeting with the committee the
mayor asked II any provision had been
made for vehioular travel The mayor
had In mind the use of the tunnel for
flro engines In case OF emergency. / do
not see how II would be possible fo- us
10 provide such an accommodation -Sttll,
n the city wants such an accommodation
we certainly shall not object to II, but to
provide this Il sapuld be necessary that
the city pave that portion OF the tunnel
which IL to be used az a highway.
"A better plan would be 10 place the
tracks In the centre OF the tunnel with
roadways on tho outside. protected ny