The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1888-12-20
QUESTION OF THE HOUR.

n ObBSIioN VT s"S
The necessity Of providing house
room for the rapidly expanding basi-
ness OF the city has at last impressed
itself upon the property holders Of
Seattle. A very considerable number
who hold eligible sites In the business
district have determined 70 build dur
ing the coming year and others who
have not themselves the means to
build have determined TO sell to those
who have. As 10 former times. the
public and self-dcfeDsive spirit OF our
people in all things needful for the de-
yelopment Of Seattle has asserted
itself, and AZ a result We may expect a
building movement during The coming
year far ahead Of anything yet wit
messed here.
From the amount Of building pro-
jected, il is quite evident that there
will be an unusual demand upon the
constructive resources Of the city.
Architectural superintendence. ma
tcrials OF construction, labor in its
many essential forms-for these there
will be great call. and now in advance
is the proper time 10 arrange for an
adequate supply. There is danger
that unscrupulous greed win find its
opportunity in the coming movement
and win assert itself in the forms of
brick trusts, lumber trusts, etc. Every
where there have been enbnrrass-
ments OF this kind, and Seattle has no
reason to hope for exemption from
them unless protective measures are
taken in advance. Not alone
the interests Of those who in
tend to build, but as well
the interests OF the public demand
that such means be taken at this time.
The public interests involved in the
proposed building movement are too
great to be allowed 10 suffer embar-
rassment and delay at the hands Of
cxtortionists.
In this situation the Posr-INTEILI-
eEscER suggests that those who intend
building next spring and summer come
together for consideration OF their
mutual interests, and for their own
protection. II is not necessary that
there should be formal organization,
but 1t would certainly be good thing
10 have mutual understanding Of
purposes and TO be prepared for dofen-
sive tactics ii they should be required.
In connection with the coming aotiy-
ity In building, il may be added that
there is no daugerof OVERRIDING it. for
II viii be impossible to put the city
ahead OF the progress now making In
its tributary country. New popula-
ton is pouring into every county and
township. new Industries are finding
settlement in every town and village,
and expansion of business and popula-
ton in the city Is business necessity
and an absolute certainty. From in
formation from many sources con
corning the incoming si population
into the territory and into the city, we
expect to see an increase Of at least a.
per cent. in the volume Of business in
Seattle during the neSttwely0 months
But ii the growth should in fact be
only % per cent, il could not be easily
and fully accommodated by all The
buildings which could possibly be
erected withia twelve months.
The situation OF our tity with refer.
cseo 20 commercial competition
makes 1t especially important To pro-
vide the means OF doing business here
We arc not ia a position 20 force new
business TO accommodate itself, fer in |
so doing it is in danger Of locating
whore Il will harm rather than help
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