The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-12-20
THE TIDE AT FAULT.
1t Chokes the Sewers i'm the
Lower Part Of the City.
BOARD OF WORKS AT WORK.
Property-Owners Complain Against Old
Ocean-Street Graders Sins
Pestilent Poles.

The board of public works yesterday
held short session. Sewer Inspector
Malan, TO whom had been referred the
complaints of several property-owners on
the water front regarding water from
sewers lowing into their Easements. sub
mitted his report After thorough in
spection of the sewers, he found them in
good condition, and the water flowing
freely through them. Owing to the exces-
sive high tides prevailing this season, the
Washington street sewer OH several oeca-
sions could not discharge until the tide
had fallen. This had resulted in back
water for some distance up the sewer. but
had not caused any inconvenience, as the
back water did not reach up the
sewer far enough 10 become
troublesome. The sewer inspector stated
as the cause of water running into several
buildings on Yesler avenue, on Washing
ton and several other streets, that it was
the water from the streets. seeping through
the area walls of the buildings. These
walls, usually constructed of brick or
rocks, but without cement. were all more
or less porous, and it was easy for the
water to pour through them. He had
examined several of them and found them
full of holes, as large as a mans hand.
After considering the report, the board
concluded that IL was a matter for the
property-owners TO remedy themselves.
The complaint of Commercial street
property-owner III regard to the obstruc-
ton of the sidewalk by two telegraph poles,
was submitted, with a request that the
telegraph company be compelled to remove
them to the street or at the edge of the
sidewalk. The board laid the matter over
until the next meeting in order To investi-
gate the ordinance on the subject.
r. III. Nlnslow, property-owner on
Stewart street, asked the board to compel
the contractors to remove from his lot on
Sixth and Stewart streets, the stumps and
logs that cucumber it, before the grading
was accepted. He alleged that at the time
the contractors commenced work his lot
was entirely cleared and free of any stumps
or refuse.
Another complaint against contractors
came from property-owners on Twelfth
street. They allege that the contractors
had dumped lot of stone on the sidewalk
on Madison street near the big rock, which
prevented access To their residences with
out going around through the mud. The
city engineer was instructed to see that the
distractions were removed.
The dangerous condition of James street,
between Third and Fourth, was complained
of by c. l.. Mitchell d. Co., who stated
that the embankment was caying and fall
ing in on-the sidewalk, rendering it impass-
able and causing great interference with
their business. The matter was referred
to the street commissioner
The bill of c. L. Day, of $50 for the use
OF scow in towing coal TO the water
works. was allowed
The balance due for the Tenth street i'm
provement, between Seneca and Pike,
amounting to S4,5l6, was ordered paid.
The recommendation made by the board
On December Ii to the house of delegates,
for the passage of an ordinance TO extend
Spring street through to the bay was re-
ferred back by that body for particulars
The board in turn referred the matter to
Mr.. Hebron.
The Rainier street improvement was also
referred to Mr.. Hebron.
The committee appointed to examine
and audit the accounts of ex-Superintend-
ent Preston, of the water-works, reported
that they were correct and recommended
their accentance. Il WAS ordered