The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-02-27
A CRISIS.

We have had occasion heretofore 20
allude In very plain language to
the urgent demand for brick ssruc-
lures in this city, and the situa-
ton has now become so serious in all
It's aspects as 10 warrant still another
reference TO the great and crying need
OF the day.
Matters can be said 20 hsye reached
sn actual crisis. and unless something
Is done at once the interests OF the city
are certain 20 suffer materially. Seat
tie has prosperea during the past
eighteen months and the volume Of
business has increased amazingly.
There should be to-day at least fifteen
brick blocks under construction. while
in fact there are bat one or two. Sew
eral others are projected, bat even L
built they must prove Inadequate
% naeet the very unusual demand
which now exists
This year. ii every citizen did his
duty. would. beyond doubt. be the
brightest and busiest in the history of
Seattle. The prospect seems TO be.
however, that = no small amount of
capital which would otherwise be in
vested here, viii 60 elsewhere. simply
because accommodations are not 10 be
obtained either through lease or out
right purchase
Any city in which such a condition
OF affairs is permanent IL certainly
doomed Unless means sre adopt
ei 10 provide for the reception
Of the men and money that are now
moving towards the Pacific coast, the
great opportunity viii have been lost.
and the position which Seattle ought
10 have maintained wil be nee,ilessly
turned over 30 another Tacoma, Port
Townsend. Chehalis. Olympia and
kilenshurg are preparing for the
influx. and brick blocks are going up
on every hand. In Seattle about
the only activity manifested in the
business part Of the city Is in the NOV,
ing and repairing OF few old shanties
which are disgrace to the place. and
only tis to be chopped into kindling
wood
IL is wei to lock at this matter fairly
and squarely. Unless more brick
structures arc built than are now cor,
templased, seattle cannot expec,
90 get one-tenth Of the new
trade which will settle on the Sound
during the next ten monshs. II some
means are nos employed 10 induce the
owners Of business property Ia hgild
or at least - lease for building pur.
poses. the same cid story will he told
and men Of capital after vasnly srvk.
ing accommodation viii turn else
where FOR place in which ~ invest
would il not hc advisable for q con-.
mlstee OF citizens to set ont deliberately
with the Intention Of holding a confer,
snce with every holder Of business
property in the eityf Cannot the Sc
rieesneSs 81 the situation. in this way
he brought a. them In the most effse,
tual wayf II they haze net the money
with which to bald. cannes this Gem
mattses arrange 10 procure the sans
81 low rate eg interest Or. ii prop
esty holders will not build. coala nei
this committee induce them To sell, o.
Al least - leszs Tor long term 81
years - those whe weaia hailds
OF course, every man has The right
% dc with his owe as he will, has hs
certainly could take 10 of4enSe at ths
welliatenaed intrusion 81 his fello y
cisszens when they ate aetuatess oaly
BY raetse spirit aaa are working oaiy
tos the aablis eeed a, any rate il i,
worth while II make the trial and rgn
the risk Of gsving olssnse. rather THAI
suffer the present coalition III ats&sr,
10 exist longer, THIS j. a critical