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


land and building modern piers were pre-
sented by one or two citizens. who were
| personally interested In docks OF their
own. and by their attorneys" the com
mittee on harbor unanimously concluded
'that the city should not delay beginning
this work"
] After advising reference 10 the report
presented in common council Jan. Is. 1900,
now In files Of said committee. the mayor
90 es further from former Mayor Baker
! and adds:
Gentlemen: These are the words of an
honored mayor OF Providence. who saw.
felt and expressed the city's needs. 1t
is for you now to take advantage OF the
opportunity presented for municipal own
ershp OF docks.
EAST SIDE TUNNEL.
The best method OF easy grade approach
TO the east side OF College Hill from the
| west side Of Providence river, has been
agitated for several years past. Proposals
for a highway Of easy grade, an1 for a
viaduct have been considered and rejected
in favor OF a tunnel for street car traffic
exclusively: and the city council advised
| by its committee and also by public
opinion. adopted the following resolution
| on the 10Th day OF September, 1907.
| (Here he gives the text OF the resolD-
| tion). and adds:
This resolution provides that:
| (a) The tunnel be built by the Rhode
Island company at its expense
(b) The city may obtain ownership OF
| VI by purchase from said railroad COM
| pany at the cost OF construction.
(c) A legislative act 10 required to au-
thorize the railroad company TO construct
the tunnel.
(d) The terms OF said act will enlbody
| the contract between the city and said
| company. relative TO said tunnel.
(e) The form of said act must be ap-
proved by the city council before presen-
tation to the general assembly.
Regarding said provisions / respectfully
submit that the terms of said legislative
| act should be framed and fully considered
by the council. and public as soon as pos
sible. because OF the time required for
| construction and the great Importance Of
the terms and conditions upon which the
| city may purchase. / apprehend that the
| railroad company will insist upon such
terms OF lease. In the event Of said pur-
chase. that the right OF purchase will be
| Of little or no value TO the city. Again, q
certain plan OF tunnel was adopted with
said resolution, the public were not con-
suited relative TO said plan. nor expert
| engineering opinion obtained concerning
| IL, other than that which Mr.. Charles r
Makepeace. chairman OF tho COMMITTED
gave.
1t may be possible TO improve the plan
The people should have the benefit OF
| the best opinion obtainable, and II should
| be considered In connection with the con-
tract. I apprehend also that as the gen.
eral assembly Is now In session the council
| may be urged to hasten it's deliberations
| on the subject. to insure passage OF said
act at the present session. Those who
| urge undue haste should explain delay In
reporting the act 20 the council.
granted after said act Is presented before
Its final adoption by the council. 1t 10
very probable that another tunnel OF SUBJ
4 way will be constructed through said hill.
| near College street. for vehicles and
pedestrians. utilizing Market square and
the site on which the city buildings now
stands. as westerly approach. This sug-
eestion Is made by reason of the objec-
tions made to constructing the tunnel first
mentioned for vehicles. pedestrians and
street cars.
Under the caption Railroad Ownership
of Perpetual Rights in Exchange Place, {"
his honor says:
PUBLIC COMFORT STATIONS.
II is now proposed to grant to the street
rsilway company privilege to construct a
public cmofort stations and lay additional
tracks in Exchange place. 1t Is claimed
/ by said company that all the rights and
privileges It now has or may acquire from
cities and towns for street railway purposes
are perpetual; In view OF which claim I
recommend that all franchise privileges on
public highways hereafter granted to said
company. be given, subject to conditions
for removal. on order OF the city council,
when public necessity requires, subject 10
| the right OF appeal TO the supreme court
| on behalf OF the railroad company, az to
the necessity.
The railroad company objects to spend
Ing money in laying tracks, etc. "for a
J temporary right" No such grant is a
/ temporary privilege, because II may be
exercised under the protection Of the
supreme court 80 long as the public good
demands its use where located. The peo-
pie own the right now by Inheritance Of
the earth and must tran smit IL to future
generations. Shall they surrender Il to
a private corporation? The railways and
other public service corporations have
heretofore received from the city council
every thing asked for and have been thus
encouraged to demand unqualified privi-
leges without due regard to public Inter
ests. In the event of the railway company
| refusing TO accept conditional grants in
Exchange place and elsewhere in tho busI-
ness centre. I recommend that the city
construct the comfort stations and lay
/ the rails at its expense and charge the
company for their use. Public necessity
and the principle OF self preservation war
/ rant the city In doing this. Inreasins
trade and population will in the near fu-
! ture require street car traffic to go
through subways I'm the centre of the
/ city. The people ought to retain the right
to compel the railways to m Ike changes
when demanded by changed conditions
The need OF public comfort stations In the
city has been brought 10 the attention Of
the council many times but nothing has
been accomplished.
! recommend the appointment of a
committee instructed to confer with the
commissioner of public works and the civ
engineer and report progress on the sub
( ject within ~ davs
ADVISORY BOARD.
Members OF the city council are elected
bv property taxnayers only. there being 10
Democratic and 40 Republican nominees
elected this year. The Republican party
have always had the same proportion. AS
registry and property -oualihca, on elec-
\ tors vote for mavor. Democi attic nomi-
nees have filled that vfrce annually IL
lines during the past l5 years. but the
dominant party has not always been in