Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1891-05-07
DOCKLINE DISCUSSED
POWERS OFFERS TO RENT DAMAGES
Asa Testify IN cesrs that the City shssia
Psy nsss-oshss Property Owners
Join in ne Prepsssstss-Ths Biil
& Itsssf Held fos Barshsr Sss1y.

LAssfSS. Mich, May 6.-Ihe House
committee on municipal corporations
gave Mayor Uhl and Alderman Turner
. hearing on the ''dock line" question
THE noon The meeting Was called ~
O'Clock bat it was fully half An hour
later before the committee assembled.
Representatives White. Barnard and
Fitch were present but Representative
Hayward did not appear. Mayor Uhl
appeared for the city of Grand Rapids.
He saId that the city objected to those
PROVISIONS of the bill which, after
giving the riparian owners exclusive
aud absolute possession OF the river
bed up TO the proposed deck line, then
required the city to institute condemn
alton proceedings TO secure any riKhts
which the owners might have from tho
dock line TO the center Of the river. He
said the owners we're getting from $780,
600 10 t2eo, 900 worth OF property and
he did not want the city treasury de-
pletcd t. any extent = jury might
determine for tha still further benefit
Of those owners.l lie denied that
they have any such rights a.,
require condemnation and compen-
satIon. but that the riparian
owners and the public have co-ordinste
rights and each must respect the rights
of the other. Another objectionable
feature in the bal was tie provision
permitting the riparian owners. after
they had been gwen exclusive rights
mp 10 the dock line and been paid for
imaginary rights to the thread of the
stream, TO build over the stream on
piers beyond the dock line and up To
the center of the stream. In the judg
ment OF the citv and Common Council
such thing would be as great n
calamity as could occur. for hucksters'
stalls, markets or livery stables might
he erected over the stream to dunn
Their accumulation of filth into il. He
proposed, as a substitute for the pend
ing bill. y draft of bill fixing the dock
lines exactly as the original bill and
with the same provisions as tn walls,
iTnt with the portions providing for
condemnation proceedincsand for build
Ing on piers over the stream omitted.
viii waive All Damages.
Alderman Turner remarked simply
that be saw no use for condenipation
were had the city would get nothing.
The owners under the bills provisions
would Re still entitled to use the river
ped to thu center OF the stream.
No ACTON was taken by the com NIT
tee. but sne whole subject will be taken
~--,~- careful consideration, - . basis
for future action.
"a ,ne sublrct of the damages that
the city might be Obliged to pay the
riparian owners under the condemua-
ton proceedings mentioned, Repre-
sentative Hayward has two letters
signtsi respectively by VIM. 7. Powers
and wm- T. Powers 4 Son, Michigan
Iron Works. in which they give It as
their opinion that sucn damages IS
might be awarded would be merely
nominal, AID they offer 70 remit to the
city, IN conjunction with all other
owners. all such damages and to go into
court and testify that. in their opinion.
no damages should be awarded. They
also declare the passage of the bill TO bc
OF the greatest Importance to the city
OF Grand Rapids. Representative Hay
ward also has another paper of the
same tenor and effect, signed bv &.
Kelsey, VIM. r. Powers& Son, Michigan
Iron Works. Vim. L. Powers. Powers Il
Walker Casket Company, c. G. Swens.
ferg, President Valley City Milling
Company. Vim. n. Rowe, Manager Val
ley CITY Milling Company. Nelson, Mat
ter & Co., Jay p. Utley, New England
Furniture Company, Fox Machine
Company. BisseIl Carpet Sweeper Com
rsrv. sdoirh Isise'' rus'r-worfh 2
Lowe, Grand Rapids Veneer Works.