The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1908-01-06

NTdNn Win Abc lHAfhAiVH VI AeaA'
protecting the people who are forced x
use this necessary dairy product II ou1
present ordinance Is not strong enough
no time should be lost in strengthenins
Il. that the inspector may have behint
him the authority OF the city when M
seeks TO protect our people from dis
honest or careless dealers.
GRADE CROSSINGS MUST GO.
Central Falls should not be the last
city I'm New England TO abolish It's deadly
grade crossings on Dec. s. 1898, Presi
dent Andrews appointed commission te
confer with a like commission In the city
OF Pawtuclset. on the question of abolish
ing the grade crossings. AS yet nothius
definite has been accomplished In this d.
rection, and | would recommend that tn
commission be discharged from further
consideration OF the subject and that tho
city proceed on It's own initiative and relI
upon itself I'm further efforts TO keei
abreast of modern progress. Let com
mission be appointed TO take zach steps
as may seem best for the closing OF cross
ings that are now menace to the lives
OF our citizens. At the Central street
crossing steps could be built to Gross
street to accommodate the railroad pa
irons Foundry street could be closed ano
culvert built under the track north ol
the present street To connect with High
street. These improvements could be
made cheaply and, In my opinion. with
out our being forced to enter into cost
lly agreement with the city OF Pawtucket
| Our city could probably do this work now
at cost not exceeding $4,000, while II II
waits for Pawtucket to act, not only
would more lives be exposed daily for an
| indefinite period. but the ultimate flnall-
cial outlay might be increased to Sl0O,-
900
FREIGHT STATION NEEDED.
The fact that Pawtucket's facilities fol
Handling freight are wholly inadequate tc
that city's needs. to say nothing OF the
additional handicap imposed by being
forced TO handle freight intended for this
city, Is self-evident. / believe therefore
that the needs OF this community of 20
900 inhabitants should be brought to the
attention OF the railroad authorities, who
should be convinced of the justice OF our
demand. that freight station and a
| freight yard more convenient for us be
established at an early date.
FIRE ALARM NUISANCE.
The fire alarm whistle originally de-
signed to be n public benefit has proven
a public nuisance. and II should be abat-
cd. IL is particularly annoying TO the
people living I'm the near vicinity and Il
seriously disturbs the high school stu
pended while It makes the wekin ring
with unearthly noises. In demanding thai
this nuisance be suppressed forthwith.
believe l am performing a public duty
which the great majority OF our citizens
will appreciate, though many OF them are
too modest TO express themselves on ths
subject publicly.
FRANCHISES
The growing tendency to ignore tn,
people I'm the bestowal OF franchises upor
public service corporations, sometimes IN
perpetuity. should be arrested IN accord
ance with healthy public opinion. IN
some cities an effective check on dishon.
est public servants is provided by the ref.
erendum and the recall. To me the refer
! endum seems 10 he "A very effective and
proper method OF dealing with the sub
tect. believe that no mistake would b.
made IL our municipal laws provided that
every ordinance or resolution authorizing
or granting any franchise or right 10 oc.
cupy or use the streets. highways. bridges
or public places IN the city for any pur
pose should be complete in the form m
which II Is TO be finally passed ana should
remain on file with the cit yclerk for pub
| lie inspection at least one week before
the vote is 10 be taken on its final pas.
sage or adoption: and no such franchise
should be granted. renewed or extended
1 r.
chises when granted for lnterurban oi
street railways. gas or water works. elec
trio light. heat or power plants, telegraph
or telephone systems or other public ser.
vice utilities. should be authorized or ap
proved by a majority OF the oualihcc
electors voting thereon ~ special elec
tion before becoming effective. Too Of
ten city council. on the eve of leaVinf
office and regardless OF It's responsible,
TO the taxpayers. makes free gift q
some unconscionable corporation of
franchise which the corporation convert,
into handsome dividends al the taxpay
ers' expense. No sooner does the ordln
ance pess than IL becomes a contract ant
a vested right both of which ar,
sacred TO the memory % tho peo
pel's rights thus sacrificed and Al
he powers % superior. supreme and na
t'onal courts are forthwith invoked n
succeeding council. more amenabl,
To the popular will. seeks 10 restore :,
he people rights thus ilched away from
them. We have had a most Illuminating
" unedifying, example % methods Whit
may be resorted 20. IN the adoption y
the gas franchise while this c'tv was cor
testing the gas corporations right 20 d
crininate against a. The action OF on
city council ~ that time q too fresh r.
the public mind 20 be recountei here Bu
| n should be made forever irnpeashle 4,
repeat such proceeding IN this city. 1,
Will be II our citizens exercise unceasins
vigilance. sustaining faithful public s-r
wants and ousting those who prove recrc
ant 10 their trusts.
| PUBLIC PARKS.
AT present Seautiful jerks park is IA,
city's only breathing space IL Is wei
kept and compares most favorably will
like plots OF It's size. But though the cit,
is small and compact that very fact en.
phasizes its needs OF more breathing spot,
and recreation places Another site. pret
| ~ md emineuily suited for q public PARK
"a on the Blackstone river just west Of
! Broad street parallel Co Hunt street The