Council Supports Plan to Develop Basin of Charles

A grandiose scheme to develop for heavy industry 39 acres of land lying under the Charles River passed its second test in the Cambridge City Council yesterday.

By a vote of five to four, with Mayor Edward J. Sullivan casting the decisive ballot, the Council passed the second reading of the plan. John Briston Sullivan, defeated candidate for the School Committee, is sponsoring the multi-million dollar proposal.

Those voicing opposition included Edward Crane '38, Joseph DeGuglielmo '29, Charles Watson and Mrs. Pearl K. Wise. They based their opposition on the fact that control of the basin doesn't rest in the hands of the Council, but in the Metropolitan District Commission.

Al Vellucci, speaking for the proponents of the measure, noted that the industrial area would cut $16 to $18 from the city tax rate. He stated, "The citizens of Cambridge are entitled to tax reduction, and it is not necessary to preserve the beauty of the Charles for out-of-towners."

M.D.C. Commissioner Charles W. Greenough '19 warned that industry would have a "very harmful effect" on recreation in the Basin area.