The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-03-25


The Northern Pacific railroad by its
president, r. r. Cakes, and General Coun-
eel James r.. Mcknight. yesterday laid its
case before the common council. stating
in plain terms what it asks from
the city OF Seattle In the way
Of franchise over Railroad avenue. The
proposition Vas made 10 the council sit
ting in committee Of the whole at the city
hall In the afternoon. There was q full
attendance Of members and q number OF
citizens were present.
Mayor Moran called the meeting to order
and stated thas the object was to consult
with the officials and the attorney Of the
Northern Pacific and learn what the CON-
psny wished in tho way of terminal faeili-
ties In the city. He called on Mr.. James
Mcknight. - counsel. 10 speak.
Counsel James Mcknight said: .'Presi-
dent Cakes ID here. gentlemen. and as he is
. better taiker than I am. he can probably
explain 10 your honorable body more
clearly Whist we ask at your hands. As far
- thu ordinance We have submitted Is con-
earned, viii. perhaps. have something to
say later"
President Cakes said: sGentlemen-we
are here on business. and 70 secure certain
rights and privileges In this city. I wish
you 10 call TO mind that, ply sically. the
Northern Pacific did not come into Seattle
until January II OF the present year,
although II had bsen doing share of the
business for years over tho Puget Sound
shore road. We had been striving for .
long time 70 get control of those twenty
seven miles al The Puget Sound shore road,
but were not sble until Mr.. Willard again
canie into power. With the acquiremsnt
Of the Puget Sound shore road we were
unable 70 secure suitable terminals for the
carrying on Of the business here.
AT the time the Northern Pacific ac-
quircd the Puget Sound Shore road Mr..
Mcknight came 70 Seattle 10 settle the
business. Before he came informed him
that the company wanted terminal faciii-
ties and place 70 put up buildings. What
improvements We had with the Puget
sound Shore road were destroyed by the
fire. We had then and now have valuable
rights along the water front. but when the
question OF laying out of Railroad avenue
came up We signined our willingness TO 80
into IL on reasonable terms, and are now
willing to waive our rights II given n fair
equivalent on Railroad avenue
AT that time Mr. McNaught had inter
views with prominent citizens here, and ID
was generally thought that no action would
he taken in reference to the granting OF
franchises over Railroad avenue without
consulting the rights of the Northern Pa
cihe.
II vas greatly surprised and disappointed
on nay way out this time TO isn,i that about
ninety feet OF Railroad avenue had been
given away Ia another railroad company
that was not here OF doing business here.
- We were. Also that q local company
had secured franchise over the avenue,
and that there we're only twenty-five feet
OF II left fer us.
IL do not care To say much ~ this time,
but IL ne are permitted 90 use the remain
ms twenty-five feet OF Railroad avenue and
fifteen feet Ia addition IN common with the
Seattle 4 Montana we viii no satisfied
We could then set two tracks down, and
have access To the property We nov own
and what we would acquire.
Il would prefer TO sea the avenue open
10 all the reads in common. This would
give better satisfaction 10 all. especially IL
the prediction as 10 the rapid growth of
Seattle Is Only half fulfilled. II The city
should ever have lop.eoo OF a population.
Yoa do not want 60 have half OF Railroad
avenue shut up By one company. when
ether equally ar more important roads
sought terminal facilities here.
ia Ia even questionable IL the city can
grant such rights A. have already been
given. What We want j. simply 10 reach
all parts Of the city along Railroad avenue.
as business y certain 20 spread its entire
length. We already have rights 60 .As
earrvl factory ana as Gar as we can get
We desire 10 submit onr request 10 the esty
council, and trust to yoar honorable bod
giving Us as fair treatment as has hesI,
accorded Ia ether companies, We do MOI
ask exclusive rights. eut Il given ths
remaining twenty-five feet aud the right e
comnon use of the fifteen feet We viii ID
sa \ far position - do business"
s'oansel NcNsnght then addressed ths
counsel He said.
As Mr. oakes has said, l came here
January IS. 90 compaste the purchase al
the Pakes sound shore road and "a lAna
ssy L.. together sith MeSsss. Ns3ssu ard
TynsiAls, completed the transfer. 1hsn
for tbs Hrss time she Northern fsesHe hai
practical access 80 Seattle. TO me il "a.
enc at The Aapp4ess DAYS OF fay Iiis. / had
hesa sos a sood many pears booking FOR,
ward 80 The ssEas when eoali say tAas ths
Northern Paciac sxs running 60 this city,
And / sS&ssse rev that tine reop2e have
bad htsss cause for complaint. All he
railway facilities possshse have eeen Gar,
stshsd. the train service hAS h<sn increased
and Seattle has equal rates wilh Tscorss
ami Portland.
THE question, however, IS ~ the treat.
fssnf The city BAY receive. or has received
ssFew January T.. = Ike sae aowe-s tina;
hioon tn tie sFstug. Il has noshins 90 DO
With the erssipAncs granting us TIE tran.
eh.se ne ssk- Al rsaarcsa eoTporasons
san TOR the Business - Ne nAs@lresi. ard
shess sasns~xmsass are 80 a osrtasn extent
slsks. gae railroads slresss hszs aai
sAces eamimw are here tey haSlnsss AAd aIgl