The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-07-02

Repre- of all the interests and
properties along the route of the pro-
posed East Side vladuct turned out last
evening at the hearing held in city hall
before the committee on easy approach, as
did upwards of $50 other citizens.
The objectors alleged the unsightliness
of steel viaduct; the noise attendant on
running cars over 1t; the danger of fright
ening horses driving beneath rapidly NOV
ing cars; depreciation in the value of prop
erty along the way; the spelling of one
of the city's best highways. and the un-
satisfactoriness OF the whole when COM
pleted as compared with an underground
tunnel route.
Not one voice was heard in favor of the
viaduct aside from Mr.. Buckland and
Chief Engineer Bransdon, who designed
the yiaduct plan under discussion.
Those who spoke were: Edward G.. Buck
land, Charles p. Dorrance. Chief Justice
William w. Douglas, Rev. IL. M. King,
Rathbone Gardner, Dexter B. Potter,
Prescott o. Clarke DR.. q. Alder Blumer,
III. M. Bronsdon. Timothy III. Heffernan,
Henry ID. Sharpe, Daniel f. Grady and
Sam III. Bullock
Chairman Charles r. Makepeace. who
| Is in favor OF the project. presided. and
with Mayor Mccarthy and the following
members of the committee on the easy
approach to the East Side. sat upon the
platform: Joseph Balch. H. A. Grimwood
Abraham A. Gray George p. Peterson and
| G. Richmond Parsons. John E Kendrick
| was absent.
VICE PRESIDENT BUCKLAND.
Vice President Edward G.. Buckland told
at some length Of just what was planned
| In the way of a viaduct for the East
Side. He said I'm part:
in
the way OF a vfaduct is what We believe
| to be solution, In so far as is possible,
| of a difficult problem. No attempt Will
ever be made by the present admnistra-
ton OF the railway company to get legis-
lation effected except with the support
OF the city OF Providence. There can be
no issue between the Rhode Island COM
pany and the city.
"The plans drawn by the company are
in the belief OF the engineers the best
method of solving the relief OF the East
Side problem, and conveying traffic safe
ly and rapidly. Our plan is not without
imperfections, but we believe any plan
drawn will have faults, and that this
embodies the least number OF faults.
1--WE desire to obtain rapid transit from
the business section to the top OF the
hill, to be accomplished only by two
| means: First, the cars should proceed
without auxiliary power, and second
they should proceed without interruption.
| Again, too. we wanted no higher grade
| than one of per cent, with an un-
obstructed right OF way.
1T was our desire to obtain as straight
| lines as possible and get TO the top OF the
| hill with as little disturbance OF rights
of way as possible"
The speaker gave a detailed description
/ OF how they proposed by the plan of the
viaduct on view TO proceed with moder-
| ate G.2 per cent. grade to the top of
1 -. ~
| viaduct take as little land as possible
from property owners, and guarding
against noise by having a special bal
| lasted roadbed.
| Regarding the trees OF the First Bap-
| tist meeting house property, Mr.. Buck
| land said that aside from taking of a
| few OF the limbs the old elms would not
| be damaged. and declared that the plan
| OF Mr.. Bronsdon was most attractive
| one To transportation company because
| OF the ease with which IL could be cared
| for and operated.
After again assuring his listeners that
the noise OF the viaduct would be less
| than the old counterweight system, Mr..
| Buckland wound up by saying that they
were not confined To any particular plan
at the bottom OF the hill. and that IL
| could be altered To suit the convenience
| OF Providence people.
| CITIZENS PROTEST.
| Charles T.. Dorrance protested against
| the plan. and mentioning the nuisance II
| would be to the First Baptist meeting
| house, School OF Design, supreme court
| and the university buildings. went on To
| say that IL was n certain menace TO car
4 riage drivers coming down the hill.
| Chief Justice Douglas OF the supreme
| court declared that in all the eo or more
| wears OF his residence here. he had never
before opposed any public Improvement
| OF any nature. but as citizen he de-
sired to be heard on this proposition. He
| said IN his speech.
1 II have been forced 20 represent vari-
| Gus interests here tonight. Incidentally |
own land myself on Prospect street and
/ with the tenants desire TO preserve the
only means OF ready approach to Il from