The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-08-20
BOTH SIDES HEARD.
The Swinomish Drawbridge as
An Obstruction.
THE ARMY ENGINEERS REPORT.
Representations Made by the People of
La Conner. Captains on the sound
and the Railroad.

meeting was held at the Chamber of Com
merce yesterday morning to inquire into the
damage caused to navigation of the 6uinomish
channel by the recently constructed draw
bridge OF the Seattle 4 Northern railroad. The
meeting was called by Captain T. w. Symonds
corps OF engineers, q. s. A., acting under in
structions from the war department. Among
those present were Or. Calhoun, mayor OF La
Conner; James Power. B. L Martin and J. H.
Chilberg. representing La Conner. and Captains
T. r. Jefferson. Jackson, Smith. Bowden, Miller
and w. selby, represented the interests OF navi-
cation. Colonel Haines and Captain Hill APP
peared on behalf OF the railroad
The grievance Is that the drawhridge when
open is 1t such an angle with the current ~ to
leave only very narrow passage and . short
turn for vessels. Colonel Haines explained why
the company located the bridge at that point
1t was the original purpose to place the bridge
ct different point They had preferred to
build at the original place. bat they were under
contract TO have the road finished by August
10. The line was graded. but somebody con-
nected with the interior department no
tilted them that they were within
an Indian reservation. That had been over.
looked. An attempt was made to obtain con-
sent OF the interior department, but it was re-
fused and notice given that the building OF
bridge there would be stopped. The company
found 1t impossible to get bill through con-
gress in time to save the contract. The COM
pany's counsel advised them not to continue
the attempt to cross the reservation, but keep
within state lines That was how the bridge
happened to be there The company had not
anticipated any objection, but would be willing
to make any change in reason. They do not,
however. think 1t serious obstruction to navi-
CATION. If the people can agree upon any plan
the company are willing to accept il.
Hfur,s a. <tzo
was $4,000 more than by the original plan. He
had objected strenuously to the change. 1t was
impossible TO lay the bridge at right angles TO
the stream and avoid the reservation lines. The
government. engineers would know as well
he how necessary the piles were.
Plans were exhibited by the railroad company
to show that an Objectionable curve would be
made by any other course than that adopted.
Tho local interes 5 presented plans showing
that the angle formed by the drawbridge when
opened was apparently designed to cbstruct
navigation and force employment of the rail-
road for freight transportation.
general exchange of views took place,
Colonel Haines maintaining that the slough
traffc had been diminishing for some time.
Objection was made to this statement. but In
reply to Captain Symonds it was stated that the
figures bearing on the subject had not been
brought to the meeting.
After discussion upon several points Cap
tain Symonds called for an expression OF opin-
ion as to the best means to remedy the griev-
ance
Several of the delegation from La Conner
thought the bridge should have been built at
wider part Of the river so as to allow room for
booms.
Mr. Power said there was no necessity for the
building of the railroad to Anacortes. There
was NO town there at that time.
Mr.. Martin said they did not desire to oppose
this bridge through any rivalry of Anacortes or
any other town. But La Conner had been es-
tablished for many years and 1t was a part of
the material int rest of her citizens that the
channel in question should be kept open. The
action of the railroad had, beyond all question,
damaged long established interests, and the
people Of La Conner were entitled to relief.
Captain Hill said the bulk of the travel be-
tween Seattle and the lower Sound does not go
by way Of La Conner.
DIR. Calhoun said there was more commerce
in and out of the slough than all the rest be-
tween Seattle and the lower Sound.
Captain Hill replied that most Of 1t came from
below the draw.
DIR. Calhoun said freishts coald not be In.
sured going through Deception Pass, but they
would on freight going through the slough.
Captain Bowden said that the best plan would
be to have the draw parallel the fiow and have
q passage 100 feet wide.
Captain Hill thought such a width entirely
unnecessary. But when the agitation began
the work was stopped and the company sus-
pended work until the inquiry could be had
and an agreement arrivedat They were anxious
to meet the objections raised.
Captain Symoncs said there was evidently q
wide difference of opinion, and the only way he
could see to . conclusion that would be satisfac-
tory teboth sides would be gather all the in
forpfation he could aud submit it to the secre-
tSfy Of war.
Mr.. Power said this was an important public
matter. The Chambers of Commerce of Port
Townsend, Tacoma and Seattle, and the Board
OF Trade of Whatcom had passed resolutions in
q sing the act of the state legislature, which
q 1memorialized codgress to appropriate $780,
the improvement of the slough.
4 sptain Hill said that there were more tor.
fuous passages than the one created by the
draw.
The plans were agsin brought into requisi-
ton, and an informal talk took place over ali
the points raised.
After each member had been listened to Cap
tain symonis announced the proceedings
closed He will make his report to the govern
ment after an examination of papers and sur
veys, which both sides asked leave 10 submit
NEW STORE. NEW sALEsPEOPLE,
New goods. Chester Cleary.
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