The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-04-29
CLOSE THE CHANNEL.
Chamber Of Commerce on the
Drawbridge Question.
ENGINEERS STATE THEIR CASE.


The suspension Of work on the Seattle Inn
provements of the Northern Pacific in conse-
quence OF injunctions against the construction
OF the track across Kinnear's island and across
the east channel of the Duwamish nvcr. unless
drawbridge il built there, wAs considered By
the trustees of the Chamber Of Commerce 1t
their meeting yesterday. They decided in 0Sof
Of closing the east channel Of the river.
H. c. Estep, assistant engineer, and Z. Fl. Nc
Henry, principal assistant engineer, Of the
Northern Pacific, who were present, explained
that the railroad was desirous Of securing .
direct entrance to the city, and an opportunity
to construct extensive terminal yards.
A portion Of the ground for this
purpose had been purchased, and the work
was under way. but an obstacle had arisen in
the form Of an order to construct drawbr1dge
over the east channel of the Duwamish river.
for completion was 30 limited that they did not
care to cause . delay by getting into dispute
over the matter. and 30 they sled an application
with the secretary OF war for permission to con-
struct the bridge. Since then the work has been
delayed by litigation over the right-of-way, and,
as they had time to investigate, they wished the
matter to be carefully considered BY all con-
cerned.
Mr. Estep and Mr.. McHenry believed that there
was no necessity for drawbridge at the point
N entioned, for the east channel of the Duwam-
ish was not navigable. The bridge would inter-
fefe with their plans and make the cost of con-
struction and operation very large. The ground
obtained for yard would be practically useless,
as the grade for drawbridge would be 10 great
that the space could not be used Is . storage
yard. The engineers accordingly urged the cham
Der to investigate the matter and. If the channel
was found not navigable, to present the facts to
the war department.
After some further discussion OF the subject,
the trustees voted it as their opinion that the
shipping interests Of Seattle would not suffer
were the east channel Of the Duwamish closed,
but on the contrary the closing would be to the
best interests OF the city. memorial to this
effect viii be drawn and presented to the depart
ment.
Mr.. McHenry took further steps towards re-
summing work on the new track by Offering to
George Kinnear and D. C. Brawley, who en-
joined the road from continuing construction
across their property, ON Kinnear'B island, that
the Northern Pacific would give good and
sufficient bond to cover any amount which
might be awarded as damages in condemnation
proceedings. He asked Mr. Kinnear on these
conditions to withdraw the injunction and
allow work to proceed. Mr.. Kinnear rejected
this offer, but offered, ii the Northern Pacific
Company would agree to continue the road over
proloneation of Railroad avenue south be-
yond the city limits in straight line, to use his
influence with Mr. Brawley to get right-of-way
without compensation. This offer was also re-
fused. and affairs remain an they were The
railroad company Offers 5000 an acre, and the
owners demand $3,o0O
In explanation Of his position in the matter,
Mr.. Kinnear said to PosT-INTELLzGENcER re-
porter yesterday: 1.-THE Northern Pacific began
piling across the island last November, while
Mr.. Brawley and were both absent in the East
and the first we knew Of the work being done
was when we came home on November 49,
They had piled in straight line to the city
limits and then driven piles for about forty rods
across our property. They did not continue in
straight line, but curved their line eastward,
50 a. to greatly cut up the land. They were
then stopped by the injunction, which required
drawbridge across the east channel If that
had not been the case they might have been
across the island before we got home They
were about to resume piling about three weeks
ago, when we enjoined them. They had all the
interval between last November and the serving
of this: injunction to secure the right-of-way,
but never did anything.
ssOur objection to allowing them to continue
work under bonds is that II the railroad were
once built and trains were running over 1t 1t
would be impossible for US to regain possession
of the land occupied, and the railroad company
might staye of q settlement of our claim in the
courts indefinitely to avoid putting up the
money.
"The price we claim for the land is b1ged on
the value OF the adjoining land, jury having
awarded 81, $50 an acre for land q mile further
south than ours and less valuable. While tine
island is overfiowed at extreme high tide, it is
of the same character as the Swinomish, Samish
and Stiilaguamish fats, which are the most
productive lands in the state after being diked
''We are not obstructionists, but want the
price to be paid for the land to be agreed on
between the parties or fixed by a court, and
paid before the railroad takes possession. We
are quite willing that our lawyer shall join
with the Northern Pacific's attorney in appeal
ing to the court to have the case set forward on
the docket in order that work may be delayed
IS little as possible"