The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1888-09-05
WISE SUGGESTIONS.
DiscrssTss or sEATrLEs BUSINESS
AND sAsfTAkY xExDs.
centfnaatioH of Frost street south
and Necessity Of an Impreves
Sewerage sysfem--A Letter that
Every Citizen should Read and
Carefully Consider.
sEArrIe. seps. 1. lms.


To THE EDiToE: This seems 20 me
an opportHne time for citizens 10 Law
before the public their views and sug-
gestions concerning the ways and
means OF advancing the growth and
prosperity Of Seattle. I take II FOR
granted that no Intelligent man uos
doubts that Seattle i destined 20 be-
come large. rich and famous city.
Us progress this year has exceeded the
most saaguine anticipations: next
year the progress viii he IA. greater.
II viii not be many years before i0a,-
90 people viii reside here. This city
vas not originally laid out on metro
poliian plan. Like Topsy, Seattle has
''groEed.r Its growth has been the
evolution Of a sawmill town. The
day has arrived when the town plan
must be improved upon. Every
month that the improvement
is postponed. Seattle loses thousands
upon thousands Of dollars. We are
soon 10 have hotel worthy OF seattle.
We also need business street worthy
OF it. The city council refused awhile
ago to give Us such a street by the ex-
tension of Front street through 10
South Second street. This extension
would at that time have cost about
5000; Il would now cost over three
times that sum; and before long IL
VIII not he practicable 20 do Ii for less
than ten times that sum. A few years
ago Commercial street could, Tor q
mere trifie, have been extended in a
direct line 10 Front street: /; would
now cost az least 81 5000 10 accom-
plish that extension
The present situation at the intersec-
ton Of Mil and Commercial streets il
iutolerable. Relief must be found for
the pressure az that point. IL the
remedy for il will also give a continu-
alton Of Front street south. il will be
an ineaiculable benefit 10 Seattle.
The owners of the property bounded
by Mill, Main. Commercial, and South
Second streets are alive 10 the import
ance OF intelligent and early action in
this matter. | know that several OF the
largest owners tand believe nearly II
alley between these blocks 10 IS feet
This would give the much needed ex-
tension OF Front street; il would also
give To each lot within those four
blocks two valuable frontages; and il
would give effect to the natural adj
vantages OF that property as the best
business site IN Seattle.
This improvement will necessitate
the raising OF the grade on CONNER
cial street at least 5 feet. 1t viii admit
OF Easements under all buildings, thus
utilizing the most valuable portion OF
the property. Easements, well ycnti-
lated, are not only useful for business
puposeses. but are also Of the highest
sanitary value.
The consideration last mentioned
suggests a train of reflections; bat |
fear that to present them with tolerabie
fulness wogld involve too great tres
pass on your space. have great con-
tidenee in the intelligence and pro-
gressiye spirit Of our city council. II
must see that Seattle is in urgent need
OF an efficient system OF sewerage, ana
that delay in providing such system Is
extremely dangerous. The situation
is already critical. The council should
spare no pains or expense to provide 4
permanent remedy. Let there be no
mere tinkering fnakeShafts. bat intel
ligent and systematic action on large
scale. The very best professional aid
should be procured il Is always the
cheapest in the long run. Nature has
been bountiiul CT her favors Ia Seattle;
but nature cannot supply, ready-made,
all the sanitary means and appliances
proper to n city. II il said that ''the
Lord helps those who help them
selves II IS certain that nature Will
he powerful ally OF the council in all
iudicious schemes for the preservation
of the city's health. Able physicians
are always prepared and willing to
give important advice on these matters.
! am sure that in deyising sanitary
plans, the council would do well to
consult the leading physicians OF Sc
attic and give heed and effect to their
views and sugce tons.
The present council has a grand OPP
portuniiy 10 promote the symmetry
and well-being Of Seattle. and | trust
that opportunity will be improved
W. +. BooNE.