Rhode Island PBS Weekly 10/23/2022

Rhode Island PBS Weekly 10/23/2022

Season 3 Episode 42 | 27m 39sVideo has Closed Captions | CC

An in-depth report on food waste, plus a look back at the Racetrack War in 1937.

Aired 10/23/2022

Rhode Island PBS Weekly 10/23/2022 Season 3 Episode 42 | 27m 39sVideo has Closed Captions | CC

An in-depth report on food waste, plus a look back at the Racetrack War in 1937.

Rhode Island Weekly investigates the issue of food waste and meets Rhode Islanders fighting to prevent food from ending up in landfills. Then, go back in time to 1937, with a look at how a

bitter rivalry between the governor of Rhode Island and a racetrack owner culminated in what became known as the Racetrack War. Finally, we return to the Providence Athenaeum.

Aired 10/23/2022

Problems playing video?  Report a Problem | Closed Captioning Feedback

Before you submit an error, please consult our Video Help page.

Type of ErrorVideo doesn’t loadVideo loads, but doesn’t playVideo jumps back/forwardOnly audio is streamingSponsorship playback errorOtherSubmitCancel Problems playing video?  Report a

Problem | Closed Captioning Feedback

Before you submit an error, please consult our Video Help page.

playback errorOtherSubmitCancel

Rhode Island PBS Weekly is a local public television program presented by Rhode Island PBS

About This EpisodeTranscriptYou Might Also LikeRhode Island PBS Weekly 10/23/2022 Season 3 Episode 42 | 27m 39sVideo has Closed Captions | CC

Rhode Island Weekly investigates the issue of food waste and meets Rhode Islanders fighting to prevent food from ending up in landfills. Then, go back in time to 1937, with a look at how a

bitter rivalry between the governor of Rhode Island and a racetrack owner culminated in what became known as the Racetrack War. Finally, we return to the Providence Athenaeum.

Aired 10/23/2022

Problems playing video?  Report a Problem | Closed Captioning Feedback

Before you submit an error, please consult our Video Help page.

Type of ErrorVideo doesn’t loadVideo loads, but doesn’t playVideo jumps back/forwardOnly audio is streamingSponsorship playback errorOtherSubmitCancelGenreNews and Public AffairsFollow

UsShare This VideoEmbed Video Rhode Island PBS Weekly

Rhode Island PBS Weekly 10/23/2022 S3 Ep42

Fixed iFrameWidth: in pixelspxHeight: in pixelspxCopyResponsive iFrameCopyLink Copied to ClipboardHow to Watch Rhode Island PBS Weekly Rhode Island PBS Weekly is available to stream on

pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.

PBS.orgDownload the PBS App Check Your Local Listings for Broadcast Schedules Open in new tab

[CLOSED CAPTIONING HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY CARDI'S FURNITURE AND MATTRESSES] ♪ >> TONIGHT: RHODE ISLAND PBS WEEKLY.

>> 20% OF OUR LANDFILL WASTE IS FOOD WASTE.

WE HAVE ONE LANDFILL IT IS GOING TO FELL BY 2034.

THAT IS A VERY BIG PROBLEM FOR US BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE ANYWHERE ELSE TO PUT IT.

>> GOVERNOR QUINN ORDERS THE CLOSING OF THE NARRAGANSETT RACETRACK.

MARTIAL LAW IS DECLARED AT NATIONAL GUARDSMEN TAKE OVER TO PREVENT THE TRACK OPENING.

READERS THREATEN TO IMPEACH THE GOVERNOR FOR USING TROOPS.

>> FIVE YEARS AGO WE MIGHT HAVE LOOKED AT THE STORY AND SAID THAT COULD NEVER HAPPEN NOW.

REALLY?

♪ >> GOOD EVENING.

WELCOME TO RHODE ISLAND PBS WEEKLY.

>> A THIRD OF ALL HUMAN -- ALL FOOD PRODUCED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION IS NOT EDEN.

WHERE THIS ALL ENDS UP AS THE SUBJECT OF TONIGHT'S FIRST STORY.

>> FROM MULTI-STRAWBERRIES TO ONION STRAWBERRIES, FOOD WASTE PLAGUES OUR DAILY LIVES.

AS PART OF OUR CONTINUING GREEN SEEKERS SERIES, ISABELLA TAKES A LOOK AT THE FIGHT AGAINST FOOD WASTE HERE IN THE OCEAN STATE.

>> IN SEEKONK, IT IS HARVEST SEASON.

BUT AVA KNOWS NOT ALL THIS PRODUCE IS GOING TO END UP AT THE FARM STAND.

>> THE FARM WE ARE OWN GROWS A LOT OF CORN AND THEY HAVE MULTIPLE ACRES OF CORN AND THEY WILL START GROWING THE CORN AT DIFFERENT TIMES SO IT BECOMES READY AT DIFFERENT TIMES BUT IF WE HAVE

A SUPER HOT SUMMER, SOMETIMES ALL THE CORN WILL BE READY AT THE SAME TIME AND THE FARMER DOES NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT CUSTOMERS OR GROCERY STORES OR WHATEVER THAT CAN MOVE THAT MUCH CORE THAT

QUICKLY.

SO THEY WILL JUST HAVE MORE CORE THAN THEY KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH.

>> AND THAT IS NOT THE ONLY PROBLEM.

>> SOMETIMES THE FOOD THAT GETS LEFT IN THE FIELD IS A LITTLE TOO BIG OR A LITTLE TOO SMALL.

IF IT IS TOO BIG IT MAY NOT FIT IN A BOX.

CAULIFLOWER WILL GROW TO THE SIZE OF YOUR TOUR SO IF YOU LET IT.

FOR PROCESSING IF YOU ARE SELLING POTATOES TO A FRENCH FRY FACTORY THEY NEED THE POTATOES TO BE A CERTAIN SIZE AND SHAPE AND WEIGHT TO WORK WITH WITHIN THE MACHINERY.

>> AFTER MONTHS OF TELLING LAND, SOWING SEEDS AND TENDING TO CROPS, THIS EXTRA PRODUCE WILL ULTIMATELY DIE ON THE VINE.

>> FOOD WASTE IS A VERY BIG PROBLEM IN THE U.S. EVERYBODY EATS.

IT GOES WELL BEYOND WHAT WE ARE PUTTING INTO OUR LANDFILLS BECAUSE 30% OF OUR FOOD IS WASTED OR LOST BEFORE IT GETS TO THE DISTRIBUTOR.

>> THE PROBLEM IS A SUBJECT OF FASCINATION FOR DON KING, A SENIOR LECTURER AND DIRECTOR OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES AT BROWN UNIVERSITY'S ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT.

>> WHY ARE WE SEEING WASTE HAPPEN ON FARMS?

>> WE ARE.

VERY MECHANIZED MACHINES ARE ACTUALLY SPECIFICALLY DECIDE TO ONLY HARVEST THE TOP TWO THIRDS OF A PLANT.

>> THAT IS BECAUSE FARMERS DON'T WANT MACHINES IT ENTANGLED IN THE DIRT.

FARMERS LEAVE BEHIND PRODUCE THAT IS LESS ATTRACTIVE.

WHAT IS KNOWN AS GRADE B.

>> ONCE THAT BECOMES GRADE B, IT LOSES ALMOST ALL OF ITS VALUE.

IT IS NOT EVEN LIKE IT DROPS 10%.

IT LOSES ALMOST ALL THE VALUE.

FARMERS ARE FACED IN THIS REALLY BAD PREDICAMENT.

THEY WANT THE FOOD TO GO TO OTHERS BUT THEY HAVE TO PAY PEOPLE TO PICK IT.

THEY HAVE TO PAY PEOPLE TO PACKAGE IT.

THEY HAVE TO GET IT TO THE DONATION SITE.

>> KING SAYS THE PROBLEM GOES FAR BEYOND THE FARM.

THERE ARE ALSO -- THERE'S ALSO WASTE FROM MANUFACTURING, RESTAURANTS, GROCERY STORES AND AT HOME.

ONE THIRD OF ALL FOOD PRODUCED IN THE U.S. IS NEVER EATEN.

>> IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND IT IS 20% OF OUR TOTAL LAND FOR WASTE IS FOOD WASTE.

I TRY TO REFRAME IT AND SAY IT IS WASTED FOOD.

ONCE WE CHANGE THOSE WORDS AROUND WE REALIZE WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT TRASH.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING THAT IS FOOD THAT WE ARE WASTING.

>> WHEN FOOD BREAKS DOWN WHEN A POET -- WHEN EXPOSED TO AIR, IT BECOMES COMPOST.

AND IT BREAKS DOWN IN LANDFILL, SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENS.

>> IT ROTS WHEN IT IS NOT EXPOSED TO OXYGEN.

WHEN IT ROTS -- >> BECAUSE IT IS SO PILED UP.

>> EXACTLY.

YOU PILE IT ON TOP OF EACH OTHER SO NONE OF IT IS EXPOSED TO AIR SO IT DOES THE OPPOSITE OF COMPOST.

IT TURNS INTO METHANE.

YOU ARE HAVE VARYING A -- YOU ARE HAVING A FESTERING METHANE PILE 20 TIMES MORE POTENT THAN CO2.

>> THAT IS WHAT WE ARE SEEING WHEN WE SEE THE PIPE STICKING OUT OF A LANDFILL.

THOSE ARE TO LET OUT THE METHANE?

>> YES.

>> SO MUCH FOOD IS THROWN AWAY KING SAYS BECAUSE AGRO BUSINESS FARM SUBSIDIES MAKE FOOD LESS EXPENSIVE IN AMERICA THAN OTHER COUNTRIES.

>> I TELL PEOPLE THINK OF THE LAST TIME YOU WENT TO YOUR LOCAL BUTCHER AND GOT A REALLY NICE STEAK.

A REALLY EXPENSIVE STATE.

WHO EVER WASTES THAT STICK?

>> ANOTHER CULPRIT, THOSE USED BY DATES WE ALL LIVE BY.

>>>> A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE EXPIRATION DATES ARE NOT SET THE U.S. GOVERNMENT.

EXCEPT FOR BABY FORMULA.

BABY FORMULA IS THE ONLY FOOD PRODUCT THAT ACTUALLY HAS A MANDATED BEST BUY DATE.

SOMETIMES IT SAYS SELL BY.

SOMETIMES IT'S AS BEST BY.

>> WHEN FOOD HITS THAT DATE IT DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN IT HAS EXPIRED.

KING SAYS THEY DESCRIBE HOW LONG MANUFACTURERS GUARANTEE THE QUALITY OF FOOD AND SHE SAYS THEY OFTEN PUT DATES EARLIER TO ENCOURAGE MORE PURCHASING.

>> THERE IS A LABELING PROBLEM IN THE UNITED STATES AS WELL THAT PEOPLE THROW AWAY THINGS THEY THINK ARE BAD AND IT IS NOT THAT WAY.

>> THE AVERAGE CONSUMER THROWS OF ANYWHERE FROM FIVE TO $10,000 WORTH OF FOOD EVERY DAY -- THE AVERAGE STORE THROWS OUT ANYWHERE FROM FIVE TO 10,000 WORTH OF FOOD EVERYDAY.

>> JOSH DOMINGUEZ IS THE FOUNDER AND CEO OF THE COMPANY FLASH FOOD.

>> IT IS NOT JUST THE STORY OF A BIG BAG RETAILER.

IT IS ALSO CONSUMERS.

IF WE BUY A WATERMELON AND THERE IS ONE ON THE SHELF, AS CONSUMERS WE ASSUME IT IS THE WORST ONES ARE THE KOSHER HAS TO OVERSTOCK THE SHELVES.

>> TAKE THE PERFECTLY EDIBLE FOOD FROM SUPERMARKETS LIKE A PEPPER WITHIN THREE DAYS OF ITS USED BY DTE AND CREATE AN APP-BASED MARKET PIT THE RESULT, FLASH FOOD WHERE CUSTOMERS CAN BUY

TODAY'S DEALS AND PICK THEM UP FROM SPECIAL PURPLE FRIDGES.

>> IN TERMS OF THE VOLUME WE HAVE DIVERTED OVER 50 MILLION POUNDS OF FOOD THAT WOULD HAVE LIKELY END UP IN LANDFILLS.

>> JUST AS CUSTOMERS GET CREATIVE WITH THEIR BASKETS OF PRODUCE AND CUTS OF MEAT SO DOES CHEF BRANDON LEWIS.

>> WE TEACHES SNOUT TO TAIL COOKERY.

>> LEWIS TEACHES FUTURE RESTAURANT TOURS ABOUT HOW TO AVOID WASTING FOOD.

IT IS A REACTION TO THE WAYS THAT NORMALLY HAPPENS AT RESTAURANTS.

HE SAYS CATERING REQUIRES FULL PLATTERS THAT ARE ROUTINELY REFRESHED.

LARGE PORTION SIZES MEAN LOTS OF FOOD GETS LEFT ON THE PLATE.

THEN THERE ARE ALL THOSE CHOICES.

>> WE HAVE ALL BEEN TO RESTAURANTS WHERE THE MENU GOES ON AND ON.

YOU ARE LIKE SO MANY ITEMS.

IF THEY DON'T HAVE HEAVY FOOT TRAFFIC A LOT OF THAT FOOD COULD BE GOING TO WASTE.

>> ON THIS DAY AT JOHNSON AND WELLS LEWIS IS TEACHING STUDENTS TO COOK SUSTAINABLY BY IMPROVISING WITH WHAT IS AVAILABLE AND SEASONABLE.

EACH STUDENT MUST DRAW A SLIP OF PAPER WITH MYSTERY INGREDIENTS.

THEIR ASSIGNMENT, CREATE A DELICIOUS DISH IN AN HOUR WHILE MINIMIZING FOOD WASTE.

>> YOU HAVE 15 MINUTES.

>> ONE STUDENT IS ASSIGNED BEATS.

ANOTHER NORMALLY A PASTRY STUDENT WORRIES OVER WHAT TO DO WITH THE BEEF AND.

>> WE COULD BE HELPING A FARMER USING OFF CUTS OF MEAT.

OFFAL WHICH IS ORGAN MEAT OR BEEF TONGUE, THOSE THINGS ARE DELICIOUS.

IF EVERYONE IS ALWAYS EATING FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE ANIMAL, NO ONE IS BUYING THE END PIECES.

>> LIVER IS BACK ON THE MENU IS WHAT YOU ARE SAYING.

>> YES, IT IS PAIRED TO MAKE LIVER TASTE GOOD YOU HAVE TO HAVE SOME PRETTY GOOD KITCHEN SKILLS.

>> THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE TRYING TO TEACH.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> M A, A JR., IS GIVEN LEFT OVER AND SWEET POTATOES.

>> DEFINITELY STRESSFUL WHEN YOU DON'T GET TO PICK WHAT YOU ARE MAKING.

>> SHE PUREES THE BEANS AND SWEET POTATOES INTO A STEW.

ADDING IN PARSNIPS, MAPLE SEE EUROPE AND JUNIPER BERRIES.

THEN SHE CRISPS THE BAR SNAP SKINS INTO A GARNISH.

>> I HAVE ANOTHER 10 MINUTES.

>> TO TOP IT OFF SHE MAKES NEGATIVE AMERICAN FRY BREAD FROM SCRATCH.

>> EXCITED TO SEE HOW THIS TURNS OUT.

>> CHEF?

I HAVE A DISH FOR YOU.

SOUP SEASONED WITH MAPLE SYRUP AND JUNIPER BERRIES.

>> THE SALT IS GOOD.

IT IS GOOD FRY BREAD >> THANK YOU.

>> FOR CHEF LEWIS, HIS CLASS IS A MICROCOSM OF A LARGER CHANGE HAPPENING IN RESTAURANTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> IN THE 90'S A CHEF WANTED ZUCCHINI BLOSSOMS IN FEBRUARY SO THEY WOULD SHIP THEM IN FROM ISRAEL.

THAT IS A LITTLE EXTREME.

A LITTLE RIDICULOUS.

THIS IDEA A CHEF WAS THIS TOP-DOWN LEADER OF THE FOOD SYSTEM, SOMEONE WHO DEMANDED INGREDIENTS, THAT AGE IS GONE.

>> FINE DINING HAS EMBRACED FARM TO TABLE.

IT IS ALL PART OF AN EFFORT TO DECREASE THE EMISSIONS OF WHAT WE EAT.

AND AVOID THE DESTRUCTIVE IMPACT OF FILLING OUR LANDFILLS WITH FOOD.

>> RHODE ISLAND IS -- MORE THAN ANY OTHER STATE, WE HAVE ONE LANDFILL IT IS GOING TO FILL BY 2034.

WE DON'T HAVE ANYWHERE ELSE TO PUT IT.

ONE SOLUTION IS TO GET THAT 20% OF THE FOOD SCRAPS OUT OF THE LANDFILL.

>> ONE WAY TO DO THAT, START MUNICIPAL COMPOSTING PROGRAMS.

AT PRESENT THOSE ARE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN.

>> AT LEAST 90% OF TOTAL FOOD SCRAPS IN THE UNITED STATES GO STRAIGHT TO LANDFILLS.

>> ANOTHER WAY, TURN FOOD INTO FUEL.

THIS PLANT IN FREETOWN, MASSACHUSETTS TAKES EVERYTHING FROM APPLES TO THE COFFEE AND CAKE CUPS FROM OVER TWO HUNDED GROCERY STORES ACROSS NEW ENGLAND.

THE TONS OF FOOD ARE DECOMPOSED WITHOUT AIR.

RATHER THAN POLLUTING IT IS CAPTURED TO GENERATE ELECTRICITY.

IT IS AN EMERGING INDUSTRY IN THE U.S.

BUT IS MORE COMMON THROUGHOUT EUROPE AND IN CHINA.

THOUGH TECHNOLOGY FOR DEALING WITH WASTED FOOD IS EXPANDING, TECH AT THE FARM, AVA EMPLOYS AN OLD WORLD SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM.

>> THE FIRST MENTION OF CLEANING IS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT IN THE BOOK OF RUTH.

IT GOES BACK THOUSANDS OF YEARS.

>> IT IS NOT NEWTEK.

-- NEW TECH.

>> PEOPLE ARE LIKE HOW DID YOU UP WITH THIS IDEA AND I'M LIKE I REALLY DID NOT.

>> CLEANING IS THE ACTIVE HARVESTING EXTRA PRODUCE IN THE FIELDS.

THROUGH HER PROGRAM THEY MOBILIZE VOLUNTEERS TO PICK THESE LEFTOVERS.

HOW MUCH HAVE YOU GUYS HARVESTED SO FAR AND HOW MUCH ARE YOU PLANNING ON HARVESTING?

>> WE ARE ALREADY PASSED PROBABLY ABOUT 400 POUNDS OF CORN AND WE WILL PROBABLY GET OVER A THOUSAND POUNDS.

>> THE FRUITS OF THEIR LABOR ARE DONATED TO FOOD BANKS AND HUNGER RELIEF ORGANIZATIONS.

ACROSS THE COUNTRY THERE ARE OVER 250 GLEANING AND FOOD RECOVERY GROUPS DOING THIS WORK.

THAT HELPS HARVEST, SHE HAS SEEN HER PROJECT TAKE ROOT.

WE HAVE >> GROWN SO MUCH IN THE LAST FEW YEARS SINCE WE STARTED IN 2018.

THAT FIRST YEAR WE HARVESTED 36,000 POUNDS OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES.

LAST YEAR WAS UP TO 250,000 -- 20 50,000 POUNDS.

>> WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO WORK ON THIS ISSUE?

>> WHEN I WAS A KID MY MOM WAS A SINGLE PARENT AND SHE WORKED FULL-TIME.

THERE WERE A LOT OF TIMES WHERE SHE WAS SKIPPING MEALS SO I HAD ENOUGH MONEY ON MY LUNCH CARD TO EAT.

YOU DON'T FORGET THAT.

YOU DON'T FORGET WHAT THAT FEELS LIKE.

IT IS NOT OK FOR PEOPLE TO BE HAVING THAT EXPERIENCE IF THERE IS ENOUGH FOOD TO GO AROUND.

NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO FEEL THAT AY.

PEOPLE UNTIL THEY COME OUT AND SEE IN THE FIELDS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE DON'T REALIZE HOW MUCH ABUNDANCE THERE IS AND HOW PROLIFIC THE EARTH IS IN GIVING US THIS ABUNDANCE.

♪ >> UP NEXT, 85 YEARS AGO THIS MONTH, A POLITICAL FIGHT BROKE OUT BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR OF RHODE ISLAND AND THE OWNER OF THE NARRAGANSETT RACETRACK.

IT BECAME KNOWN AS THE RACETRACK WAR BUT THE BITTERNESS REACHED WELL BEYOND THE TRACK CHANGING THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE TO THIS VERY DAY.

RICHARD OF THE RHODE ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY HAS THE STORY.

>> GOVERNOR QUINN ORDERS THE CLOSING OF RHODE ISLAND'S FAMOUS NARRAGANSETT RACETRACK AND OFFICIALLY CHARGES IT IS A HARBOR FOR ACTS OF VIOLENCE.

MARTIAL LAW IS DECLARED AND NATIONAL GUARDSMEN TAKE OVER TO PREVENT THE TRACK OPENING.

OPPOSING LEGISLATORS THREATEN TO IMPEACH THE GOVERNOR FOR USING TROOPS.

>> THE RACE TRACK WAR HAPPENS IN 1937 BUT THE TRACK ITSELF, THE NARRAGANSETT RACETRACK, HAD BEEN OPENED SINCE 1934.

THE REASON THE TRACK HAD OPENED IN 1934 WAS THE DEPRESSION.

STATES ARE LOOKING FOR REVENUE.

AND SO IT WAS A MAN NAMED WALTER O'HARA FROM FALL RIVER.

HE HAD OWED TEXTILE MILLS THERE.

HE SAW AN OPPORTUNITY.

ONCE GOVERNOR THEODORE FRANCE'S GREEN MAKES IT LEGAL TO HAVE PARI-MUTUEL BETTING IN RHODE ISLAND, THERE IS A REFERENDUM.

THE PEOPLE VOTE FOR IT.

WITHIN DAYS THE NARRAGANSETT RACING ASSOCIATION IS CHARTERED AND WITHIN ANOTHER FEW DAYS, CONSTRUCTION STARTS ON THE TRACK.

IT ONLY TAKES WALTER O'HARA FROM JUNE TO AUGUST 1934 AND 1.2 MILLION DOLLARS TO BUILD AN ENTIRE RACETRACK AND THE RACES START.

♪ THAT RACING SEASON LASTS 59 DAYS AND $23 MILLION IS BET IN THAT SEASON.

THE STATE TAKES $800,000 OF THAT MONEY AND IT BECOMES ABOUT 10% ONE OF THE REASONS THE RACETRACK WAR HAPPENS IS THAT IT IS A CHIP IN THE GAME, THE POLITICAL GAME THAT WAS GOING ON AT THE

TIME BETWEEN THE DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS.

THE REPUBLICANS HAD BASICALLY CONTROLLED THE GOVERNMENT SINCE THE CIVIL WAR.

ALL OF THAT CHANGES JANUARY 1, 1935.

AFTER THEODORE FRANCE'S GREEN AND A GROUP OF OTHER DEMOCRATIC LOSSES PUT ASIDE -- DEMOCRAT BIG BOSSES PUT ASIDE THEIR DIFFERENCES AND ESSENTIALLY CLEAN HOUSE ALL THE SUPREME COURT JUSTICES

ARE LET GO AND THEIR OWN PEOPLE ARE PUT INTO PLACE AND THE POWER SHIFTS COMPLETELY FROM THE REPUBLICANS TO THE DEMOCRATS IN A MATTER OF A WEEK.

THAT, YOU WOULD THINK WOULD SETTLE THE BATTLE.

UNFORTUNATELY THE DEMOCRATS THEN START IN FIGHTING.

THE RACETRACK IS OWNED BY WALTER O'HARA.

HE ALLIES HIMSELF WITH THOMAS P MCCOY WHO IS THE MAYOR OF PUT BUCKET.

BUT MCCOY HAS HIS OWN POLITICAL MACHINE.

THERE ARE MAYBE THREE OTHER DEMOCRATIC LYTIC MACHINES AT ODDS WITH EACH OTHER IN THE STATE.

THE GOVERNOR AT THE TIME IS ROBERT E QUINN WHO BECAME GOVERNOR WHEN THEODORE FRANCE'S GREEN GETS ELECTED TO THE SENATE.

QUINN IS ALLIED WITH THE PROVINCE JOURNAL -- THE PROVIDENCE JOURNAL.

HE AND THE EDITOR ARE ALLIES.

MCCOY AND O'HARA START TRYING TO PUSH AGAINST QUINN AND BROWN, THE POWER STRUCTURE IN THE GOVERNMENT.

THE FRICTION STARTS.

PART OF THE PROBLEM IS THAT O'HARA AS THE HEAD OF THE TRACK DOES NOT WANT TO PAY AS MANY STATE TAXES AS QUINN ONCE.

THERE IS A REVENUE ISSUE.

THERE IS ALWAYS AN INFLUENCE ISSUE.

O'HARA OWNS THE STAR TRIBUNE.

HE RUNS A PARTICULAR ISSUE WITH A MASSIVE HEADLINE THAT SAYS GOVERNOR QUINN WILL LAND IN BUTLER'S.

O'HARA SAYS.

BUT WHEN YOU FOLD THE PAPER TO DELIVER IT IT JUST READ GOVERNOR QUINN IN BUTLER'S.

THAT WAS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF THE KIND OF CHICKEN OR A THAT O'HARA WOULD PULL TO SUGGEST QUINN WAS NUTS.

AT THIS POINT EVERYBODY ACTUALLY THINGS O'HARA IS KIND OF CRAZY.

OF COURSE HE HEARS THAT AND HE RESPONDS IN KIND.

IT IS THAT KIND OF RHETORICAL FIGHT THAT ESCALATES EVERYTHING.

O'HARA DOES NOT LET QUINN'S INVESTIGATORS COME AND LOOK AT THE BOOKS.

QUINN SENDS JOURNAL REPORTERS TO THE TRACK TO RUN SURVEILLANCE ON O'HARA.

ONE JOURNAL REPORTER GETS ASSAULTED AND BEATEN.

THERE IS THE SENSE FROM QUINN THAT THE TRACK ATTRACTS ELEMENTS, CRIMINAL ELEMENTS.

QUINN HAD TO REMOVE O'HARA.

HE WAS A LOOSE CANNON.

HE WAS TOO POWERFUL AND TOO VOCAL.

HE DECIDES TO TRACK IS NOW A SITE OF INSURRECTION.

IT IS A SITE THAT NEEDS TO BE HANDLED PHYSICALLY.

HE DECLARES MARTIAL LAW.

SINCE 300 TROOPS WITH MACHINE GUNS AND THE STATE POLICE AND CLOSES THE TRACK BEFORE THE FALL RACES.

IT IS CLOSED FOR ABOUT A MONTH.

IT GETS NATIONAL NEWS.

EVERYBODY IS SAYING WHAT IN THE WORLD IS HAPPENING IN RHODE ISLAND?

IT IS A NATIONAL EMBARRASSMENT.

PEOPLE ARE CLAIMING WE HAVE A LITTLE DICTATOR OVERSTEPPING HIS POWERS AND BASICALLY SKIPPING OVER DUE PROCESS.

IT BECOMES THIS CONTENTIOUS TIME.

IT ENDS UP WITH O'HARA BEING REMOVED AND ONE OF THE OTHER RACING ASSOCIATION OFFICIALS, JAMES DOOLEY, WHO IS A JUDGE BECOMES THE PRESIDENT OF THE RACING ASSOCIATION FROM 1938 UNTIL 1960.

IT BASICALLY GETS INTO MUCH SANER HANDS.

THE RACETRACK WAR WAS NOT A WIN FOR ANYONE.

IT WAS AN AWFUL ERUPTION AND FAILURE OF RHODE ISLAND POLITICS.

IT REALLY EXPOSED A LOT OF THE CORRUPTION IN THE SYSTEM.

I THINK IN SOME WAYS STUDYING THESE EVENTS ESPECIALLY WITH RECENT KNOWLEDGE GIVES US A BETTER SENSE OF WHAT WE ARE DEALING WITH TODAY.

FIVE YEARS AGO WE MIGHT HAVE LOOKED AT THE STORY AND SAID THAT IS JUST CRAZY.

I COULD NEVER HAPPEN NOW.

REALLY?

♪ >> NOW, A SECOND LOOK AT THE PROVIDENCE ATHENAEUM.

IT WAS ESTABLISHED NEAR 190 YEARS AGO ON BENEFIT STREET.

TONIGHT IN OUR CONTINUING SERIES WINDOW ON RHODE ISLAND, HEAD OF RESEARCH AND LIBRARY SERVICES TAKES US ON A TOUR AND SHARES SOME OF ITS MOST INTRIGUING FIND.

-- INTRIGUING FINES.

♪ >> I'M STEPHANIE.

I'M THE HEAD OF RESEARCH AND LIBRARY SERVICES AT THE PROVIDENCE ATHENEUM.

WE ARE A 19TH-CENTURY LIBRARY OPERATING IN THE 21ST CENTURY.

THE BUILDING HAS SO MUCH CHARM AND SO MANY FUN LITTLE ASPECTS TO IT ANY TIME YOU TURN A CORNER YOU ARE BOUND TO NOTICE SOMETHING NEW.

HERE WE ARE AT THE CARD CATALOG.

THIS WAS INTRODUCED TO THE LIBRARY IN THE 1880'S.

A LIBRARIAN NAMED GRACE LENARD WAS HIRED IN 1895 TO INTRODUCE THE DEWEY DECIMAL SYSTEM TO THE LIBRARY.

THE TIME OF HER HIGHER WE HAD 56,000 ITEMS IN THE COLLECTION AND IT TOOK GRACE 13 YEARS TO IF WE OPEN ONE OF THESE DRAWERS YOU CAN STILL SEE GRACE'S HANDWRITTEN CARDS INSIDE.

HERE WE HAVE ONE OF THE GEMS OF THE ART COLLECTION.

THIS IS THE HOURS BY NEWPORT BASED ARTIST EDWARD NO BONE.

IT WAS STOLEN IN 1881 BY ONE PROVIDENCE GENTLEMAN WHO WAS THOUGHT TO BE PART OF JESSE JAMES IS GOING.

A DETECTIVE WAS ON THE CASE, PRODUCED A REWARD POSTER AND THE WORKS CAME BACK TO THE LIBRARY.

IT HAS LIVED IN THIS CASE EVER SINCE.

WELCOME TO THE RARE BOOK FIRM.

ON DISPLAY IN THE CABIN THAT WE HAVE THE DESCRIPTION OF EGYPT.

THIS SET OF BOOKS WAS COMMISSIONED BY NAPOLEON WHEN HE WAS WRINGING HIS TROOPS TO EGYPT.

HE BROUGHT SCHOLARS, WRITERS AND SCIENTIST TO RECORD EVERYTHING THEY WERE SEEING IN EGYPT.

IT WAS A HOT TICKET ITEM AT THE TIME AND THE BOOKS WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAVING THE WAY FOR THE BIRTH OF MODERN EGYPTOLOGY AND KICKING OFF THE WAVE OF EGYPT MANIA THAT SWEPT THROUGH NORTH

AMERICA AT THE TIME.

WE HAVE THE VOLUMES OF TEXT.

NEXT WE HAVE THE VOLUMES OF PLATES PUBLISHED IN THESE ELEPHANT SIZED VOLUMES.

LASTLY WE HAVE THREE OF THESE DOUBLE ELEPHANT FOLIO SIZED VOLUMES THAT CAN TRAIN -- THAT CONTAIN THE LARGEST PLATES AND MAPS.

THESE ARE THE LARGEST BOOKS IN THE COLLECTION.

JUST FOR FUN I HAVE PULLED OUT ALSO THE LIBRARY'S SMALLEST BOOK THIS MEASURES JUST ABOUT AN INCH BY THREE QUARTERS OF AN INCH AND IT IS AN ADDITION OF ROBERT BURNS'S KILMARNOCK PROBLEMS

CHIEFLY IN THE SCOTTISH DIALOGUE.

-- SCOTTISH DIALECT.

THIS IS THE ART ROOM WHERE WE HONOR THE LEGACY OF ED GRELL.

WE WILL SET -- OF EDGAR.

WE SET THE SCENE IN 1848.

CONSIDER WERE THE BEST POETS IN AMERICAN.

ALSO IN THE 1840 IN THE POET EDGAR WAS THE TALK OF LITERARY SOCIETY.

EDGAR WOULD COME TO VISIT IN PROVIDENCE.

ONE TIME WHITMAN ASKED POE IF HE KNEW A POEM THAT HAD BEEN ANONYMOUSLY PUBLISHED IN A PERIODICAL CALLED THE AMERICAN WEEK REVIEW.

POE TOOK THAT COLUMN OFF OUR SHELF AND SIGNED HIS NAME IN PENCIL BECAUSE HE HAD WRITTEN IT.

HE HAD JUST SUBMITTED IT ANONYMOUSLY.

YOU CAN SEE HIS SIGNATURE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE RIGHT THERE.

THAT MUST HAVE BEEN KIND OF A SMOOTH MOVE BETWEEN POETS AND WHITMAN AGREED TO MARRY POEM ON THE CONDITION HE REMAINED SOBER BECAUSE HE HAD A DRINKING PROBLEM.

AT ONE POINT DURING THEIR -- SOMEONE CAME IN WITH A NOTE FOR WEPT HIM -- FOR WHITMAN.

POE BEGGED HER TO STILL MARRY HIM.

WHILE SHE DID STILL LOVE HIM SHE COULD LOOK AT MARRY HIM.

POE LOVED -- POE LEFT PROVIDENCE.

HE WAS DEAD WITHIN A YEAR.

IT IS A BIT OF A TRAGIC LOVE STORY.

SARAH WHITMAN LIVED FOR ALMOST 30 YOUR -- FOR ALMOST 30 MORE YEARS.

SHE WAS A FIRM DEFENDER OF HIS REPUTATION.

HERE WE ARE IN AN ALCOVE.

THIS IS A FUN SECRET PART OF THE LIBRARY WE LIKE TO TELL PEOPLE ABOUT.

IN THE DESK YOU CAN SEE OVER THE YEARS LOTS OF VISITORS HAVE COME TO THE LIBRARY AND LEFT LITTLE NOTES FOR ONE ANOTHER INSIDE THE DESK DRAWERS.

YOU CAN FIND THEM THROUGHOUT THE LIBRARY.

THIS ONE PROBABLY HAS ABOUT 50 NOTES INSIDE.

OTHER DESKS HAVE A SIMILAR AMOUNT.

SOME HAVE FEWER.

THEY ARE TUCKED IN EVERYWHERE.

THIS ONE IS PRETTY LOVELY.

THIS ILLUSTRATION.

WE HAVE GOT ALL SORTS OF NOTES.

LITTLE POEMS.

LONGER LETTERS.

EVERYONE IS PART OF THE HISTORY.

DOES NOT HAVE TO BE PART OF 1850 OR 1838 BUT EVEN LAST YEAR OR THIS YEAR.

EVERYONE MAKES A MARK ON THE LIBRARY.

>> FINALLY IN THE SEASON OF HALLOWEEN, A SNEAK PEAK TO NEXT WEEK'S STORY ON RHODE ISLAND AUTHOR H.P.

LOVECRAFT WHO WROTE A DARK -- WROTE OF DARK OTHERWORLDLY CREATURES AND HAD AN EVEN DARKER PERSONAL SIDE.

>> THOSE POSSESSED WITH A READING LOVECRAFT HAVE TO COME TO GRIPS WITH SOMETHING MORE SINISTER THAN HIS IMAGININGS.

THE AUTHOR HAD A CHILLING MONSTER INSIDE, BIGOTRY.

IT IS NO SECRET IN HIS WRITINGS.

>> THIS ARTISTIC GIFT TO WRITE THESE INCREDIBLE STORIES.

HIS LITERARY WORK IS OFTEN INFUSED WITH HIS OWN PARANOIA AS AND XENOPHOBIA AND RACISM.

>> WHERE DOES THAT STEMMED FROM IN HIM DO YOU THINK?

WHAT WASIT ABOUT HIS LIFE?

>> TO SOME EXTENT THAT IS A PRODUCT OF HIS TIME.

THIS IS A TIME IN AMERICA WHERE RACISM WAS INSTITUTIONALIZED AT THE SUPREME COURT LEVEL.

>> THAT IS OUR BROADCAST THIS EVENING.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> WE WILL BE BACK NEXT WEEK WITH ANOTHER ADDITION RHODE ISLAND PBS WEEKLY.

UNTIL THEN KELLY CAN VISIT US ONLINE TO SEE OUR STORIES AND PAST EPISODES AT RIPBS.ORG/WEEKLY OR LISTEN TO OUR PODCAST AVAILABLE ON ALL YOUR FAVORITE AUDIO STREAMING PLATFORMS.

THANK YOU AND GOOD NIGHT.

[CAPTIONING PERFORMED BY THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE, WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS CAPTION CONTENT AND ACCURACY.

VISIT NCICAP.ORG] ♪

Support for PBS provided by:

Rhode Island PBS Weekly is a local public television program presented by Rhode Island PBS