The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-06-05
PLAN FOR TERMINUS.
President Hill Addresses the
City Council.
he REVIEWS HIS PROPOSITION.
Warning Against Allowing One Rail-
road to Domfnate-The Problem
No Nearer Settlement.


in the lobby Of the house of delegates last
night to receive President Hill. of the
Great Northern railroad, who once more
met Legislative body of Seattle to discuss
the vexed question involved in the Rail-
road avenue right-of-way.
President Kloeber occupied the chair
and was supported by Aldermen Daulton,
Carrie, Miller, ingram. Delegates Cook,
Calligan, Lyon, Brace and Coryeii. lion.
Roger s. Greene appeared for the property
owners on the line Of the rams horn, Cor
poration Counsel Donworth for the city,
Hon. Thomas Burke for the Great
Northern and Andrew F. Burlejgh for the
Oregon improvement Company. T.. +.
Shelby accompanied President Hill.
DR.. Kloeber stated the object OF the
meeting.
President Hill said when he came over
to Seattle he got so interested in the situa-
ton that il was not an easy mater Tor
him to be brief. He said there was an
enormous country tributary to the city
and, even after it had been cleared, there
was vast wealth awaiting industry. lie
was particularly impressed with the
fields, and he saw the importance of the
city laying out its plans SO as to prepare
for the future without putting burdens
which would drive commercial interests
elsewhere. The city's greatest harbor
is on the land three-quarters OF its traffic
will be borne by the railroads. He had
recently conversed with the president OF
great transcontinental road, and he
said if that road could get
around Chicago il was ready to take grain
from the Northwest at rates that could
compete with the canals: freed from the
burdens imposed by Chicago they will
carr grain at $3.50 ton or less. He
mentioned this because of the great i'm
portance attached to the harbor, yet the
great market for Washington products
will be with the 81, 900 or 10000 600 of
people east of the Cascades. He
mentioned meeting Mr.. Blanchard
and being told by him what a
great advantage would come from
a 50-cent or 60-cent freight rate on lumber;
but he had been forced to the conclusion
that the rate would be 40 cents. With the
opening up of this country and the diminu-
ton of supplies from Michigan and Wis
consin, the country west of the Missis-
sippi will call upon the Pacific coast for
its lumber If Washington could sell one
tenth of the lumber fairly accessible from
the railroads il would take nearly 5000, 900
feet day.
The problem the railroad has to solve is
how to afford access TO the market. Seat
tie has made record for thirty years of
which it might be proud, but they must
be careful not to limit its growth by mis-
taken measures. They must be warned
by Chicago's experience. Her policy has
been such that seventy factories have re-
Gently left the city; and the commission
recently appointed had estimated that the
amount necessary to overcome her blum
ders would be 5000, 000, 900, with an annual
interest of $45,000, 900, or more than the
business of all the railroads. The roads
were now considering the ACCESSIBILITY of
going to Waukegon.
He wanted to assure them that it was
his desire to meet questions arising be-
tween the city and his road and other
roads on the surest possible basis for the
future development of transportation
facilities. Seattle was not the only place
on the Sound where business can be done,
but this city should endeavor to maintain
her supremacy, and this can only be done
by atfording facilities for the cheap hand
ling of freight. Twelve years ago in st.
Paul, when he started the reorganization
of the Manitoba road. they had one track
within one year he thought they should
put down one double track, but in 1885
they put in four, and this year he expects
to put six tracks for three miles out of st.
Paul.
Coming to the local situation, he said
whatever will secure the best results on
the broadcast basis is the plan ne favors.
The situation compels that the business
shall be done to the south of the city. He
had made plan which he sent to Mr..
Cakes, who approved il as admirable. BY
it all the roads are put on an equal foot
ing. Mr.. Hill then went into the details
of the plan, asking how they proposed to
do when the city had population of $780,
600. when they were already cramped with
only one-third rs many people. Some of
the citizens had shown great foresight in
laying out Railroad avenue, and it was a
pity it could not have been kept on solid
ground. The city should see that the
water front was reserved for local use
large ships can 20 to the north or south,
but for small craft the landing should be
as near the heart of the city as possible.
If the six or eight tracks on the avenue
can be used for through service, two ex
clusively for transfers, they would bt
making the best of the situation. Thi;
would require that all freight transfer
should be 10 the south The Great North
ern idea was TO make the shore line the
basis, and build lateral lines through tn,
valleys. From the south the city has TIT
business of three lines approaching, 81
that the chief traffic can be done south o
the city. But q convenient passenger sta
ton is needed. and he would be glad (,
join in building one accessible to ali line
coming from the north ocsouth. IL shout,
cover not less than 600 feet parallel Will
the water front.
The future ocean harbor. he thought
would be M the north end of the city
the fresh water available ana the land
locked situation offered Inducements. an,
eventually il would be in Lake Washing
ton for larger ships. As 10 his company
they did not desire 10 crowd another road
1t was necessary. however. for his road {
have certain facilities in order TO do bust
ness successfully. At best, the work o
maintaining road on the water front i
attended by an appalling expense. TIL
road had 70 begin n Seattle with an ex
pense large enough to build twenty-ty
miles of road anywhere between here an,
ST. raul.
MIR. Hill then described his plan. whicl
provides that all roads shall terminate il
double track yards nj the south OF tn
city, leaving room for all lines, with spac,
between for teams to load aud unload cars
He instanced the New York Central
Pennsylvanls. Philadelphia 4 Readin
and other roads 10 show that they ali use