The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-03-16
THE OFFENSIVE KNOB.
Another Meeting in Favor Of
Lowering Front Street.
WAITING FOR THE ESTIMATE.
Rrssadsat Kloebsr Explafas That Beads
Caanos Be Voted This Ysar-A Way
Out Of the DiMcalsy.


The interest taken in the proposal to
cut down the hill on Front street between
Union and Battery was manifested BY the
large attendance Of local property owners
at the meeting held in Bellevue hall last
night William Voight was elected chair
mp. and City Treasurer Adolph Krug
secretary.
Corporation Counsel Donworth was
present by request, and after the chair
mad stated the object OF the meeting, Mr..
Donworth explained the operation of the
law recently passed giving cities the right
ofeminent domain. He stated in effect that
IN such case as the one under discuss
Ion every property owner whose property
should b taken or damaged would have
nearing. II, after an estimate of the cost
Tor damage had been ascertalned, it was
deemed too high to warrant proceeding
with the work, it could be abandoned and
the project could not be revived antil after
the expiration of the year.
He was asked several questions by WIG.
Latimer and others with q view to bring
ing out the fact that in all the large inn
provements 90 far made in the city the
cost had not been imposed upon locality.
but had been borne by the taxpayers at
large.
Mr.. Horlacher addressed the meeting
In favor Of general tax, so that the
Immediate neighborhood should not bear
all the expense.
Alonzo Hull. in order to start q dis
cussion upon defined lines. moved that
the street be graded according to profile
which was submitted. Mr.. Hull said that
by making cut from Virginia. the grade,
which was now 7 per cent, would be re-
duced to per cent. The fact is that the
grade is higher at Stewart than at Viz.
ginia. In 1000 feet there would only be .
tall OF two and one-half feet, not sufficient
to carry of the water. A per cent. grade
would answer all purposes.
Mr.. Weight said IN ordinance had been
introduced into the council to make q sur
vey Of the proposed grade. and the cost it
would involve. He thought it would be
loss of time to discuss the matter until
that had been done. He thought they
should confine themselves now to the
question of damages; can they get the city
to pay the damages, or can they get prop
erty owners to declare what they intend
claiming. 80 that they might know what
the Front street people must pay? If they
must pay. they would pay; but he de-
clared that 1t would be . most unjust i'm
position. fAppiause1 If the city only
does justice the burden will not be very
great. If the city is governed by prece-
dent 1t would most certainly distribute the
cost of the damages over the whole city.
He was willing to fall in with any reason
able proposition. but If he were bulldozed
he would fight, and continue fighting and
die fighting il necessary. daughter and
applause
Mr.. Horlacher moved that q committee
of five be appointed to ascertain the prob
able damages to those affected. It was
agreed to, and the chair promised to ap-
point the committee today. Itwa . task,
he said, which required great care.
J. A. Moore said it would be necessary
for the committee to know what the cut
would be. He moved that the cut be
made right through from Pike. From
that point business now DIVORCES to the
east, leaving Front street, where stores are
now vacant Business traffic always seeks
a level. The plan includes cut at Virginia
street.
DR.. J. 8. Kloeber said the ordinance
under WY directed the city engineer to
make q survey. He will be instructed to
ascertain the best grade with minimum
Of damages. The city engineer stated he
could make a grade to cost $4,000 with
heavy damages, but he could also, he be-
lieved, make a good practicable grade at
half that cost for both grading and dam
ages.
Mr.. Voight said the idea was the best
grade with very little or no cost Laugh
teri He put Mr.. Moore's motion to make
a cut as straight as possible. 1t was
adopted with several dissentients. Mr..
Hulls motion was then put that the city
give the best possible grade at the least
or no cost, and that was carried unani-
mously.
DR.. kioeber was called for and addressed
the meeting on the subject of cost. He
gave figures showing that the bonded in
debtedness Of the city was 81, 565, 600 and
the floating indebtedness $622, 900. The
city can only legally increase the bonded
debt $4,000; and if it bonds the floating
debt it will leave only = very small mar
gin. II the citizens were called upon to
vote this year to pay for the grading
Of and damages for cutting the hill,
he was sure il would he defeated.
If the bonds are voted by the people the
street fund and general fund will be free.
and by cutting down expenses in other
directions this Improvement could be paid
for. The city administration was deter
mined not TO issue illegal warrants. Ifthe
people OF the district would only agree as
TO what they want be would. with his col
league. Mayor Sweeney, do his best to get
the council to favor the work.
The chair, on motion. appointed q COM
mit:ee consisting of Messrs. Voight, Hull,
Moore, Horlacher and Mackenzie as an
advisory committee 10 act with the city
council.
On motion of Mr.. Hull it was resolved
to meet again next Wednesday night.