Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-10-07
ruE STREET RAILWAY ORDINANCE.

At last the Council has settled the
long discussed question of hov our
future street railvas are 70 be managed
and as 70 Just What ID to be granted TO
them by the city. Probably there has
not bsen for a long time any action
taken 20 vital to the future interests of
Seattle az the passage of the street rail-
way Ordinance on Friday evening. This
ordinance has been thoroughly dis
cussed both by the press and by the
people at large, and its many provisions
are pretty thoroughly understood. Ii Is
entitled, AN Ordinance Authorizing
the Location and Laying Down of
Tracks for Street Railways in the City
OF Seattle, and the Equipment and OPP
Grafton of Such Railwsys." There are
fifteen sections in the ordinance az
passed, and they take up pretty much
every question which will be likely to
rise in tbs future.
The first section states that the Seat
tie Street Railway Company is permit
ted 70 build lines Commencing at the
intersection of James and Front streets,
thence north along and upon Front
street to the City limits. Also begin
ming at the intersection of Front and
Pike streets, thence along and upon
Pike TO Eighth street; thence along and
upoh Eighth street 70 the City limits"
This section further provides that the
lines are TO be constructed only after full
oompepsation shall be made for any
damage done TO property along which
they shall pass.
Sections two and three are designed
to protect the rights of the public on
wheels. They provide. il the first place,
that the company shall plank, pave or
macadamize that portion. of the street
on which the said railway shall be laid.
the entire length thereof. between the
rails and for the width of one foot on
each side of the track, Of the same ma
terials used by the city whenever the
city shall plank, pave or macadamize
such street or streets, and keep the same
in repair" The next provision Is that
the track shall be laid las nearly In the
center of the street as possible, and
flush Silh the pavement" 50 as not to
interfere with the free use of the street
by the public. Section three further
provides for the construction of side
tracks and turn outs, which are to be
built where necessary, bus are not to ex
coed four to the mile.
Section four limits the period of the
obstruction of any single square on q
stree: while the road is in process of
construction, to two days, unless fur
Their time shall be granted by the
Council.
Section five is designed to protect the
compahy's passengers. Ii provides that
the cars shall be of the most approved
pattern and provided with brakes and
all appliances for stopping; that they
shall be drawn by horses, mules or en-
gines. and that the speed at which they
shall be run shall not exceed six miles
per hour.
Section six limits the tine allowed the
company for the construction of its
lines. Werk must begin within six
months after the ordinance shall go
into effect, and the Front street line
must be completed within fifteen
months after. The remaining lines are
to be completed at the rate of one
street each year, unless work on certain
streets is prevented by the failure of the
city to properly grade them. In the lat
ter case an extension of time is allowed
the company.
Section eight rovides for the enforce
ment OF these requirements by declaring
that the rights granted to the company
shall be forfeited in case they are not
fulfilled. II the company shall fail to
meet the requiem ents on any one street
their rights shall be forfeited only SO far
AZ that street Is concerned.
Section nine provides that the city
shall be allowed to claim license fee
not to exceed SIS for each car in use,
this being lin addition to any other
49, 10 w1steh the company may be
T oessiou TN takes up the subieot Of
fArse and peosidss that the city shall
hays the night TO regulate fAEaa on eca-
dition that .-.-kic Iare shall not be
| s.xcSS IL a lower rate than 5 cents. A
fare IN "to include one continuous pas
saQe one way only on any line of said
o0mpany's road. From James street
along Front north to the city limits shall
be deemed one line. From James street
along Front to Pike street, and along
Pike, Eighth and Howell streets to the
city limits another line"
Sections twelve and thirteen provide
that all privileges granted to the CON-
pany shall continue twenty five years,
but reserve to the CITY the right 10
change or madify them by ordinance.
Section fourteen protects the rights of
other companies which may hereafter
be organized, and section fifteen states
that this ordinance shall take effect
five days after its publication"