The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-09-07
WILL FIGHT IT OUT.
Oregon Improvement Compa-
ny's View Of Rams Horn.
THE clTY.s ACTION DENOUNCED.
Its Power Co Condemns the Kight-ef-
Way Denied-Incrssss In Freight
Bzsiness-whsat Rates.


Burleigh. counsel for the Oregon Improve
mens Company and the Northern Pacific,
has been looking into the matter Of the
renewal of the rams horn right-of-Nay
controversy with the city by the passage
of the ordinance by the council extending
Post street 80 as 20 cut mp the right-of-way.
He yesterday expressed his opinion Of the
city's action in vigorous terms and de-
ciared IN an equally unmistsKabic man
ner the intention of the Oregon Improve
the finish. He said:
''0n my return from fishing trip was
very much surprised TO learn that some
reputable Christian gentlemen In this
community. together with the authorities
Of the city, had so far forgotten their posi-
ton and standing in the community and
had so far lost their own seif-respect as TO
get in in the night time. without any notice
10 the interested parties. and undertake TO
confscate 81 ,o0o,00o worth of property
from these railroad companies. A decent
respect for themselves and for the fair
dealing which ordinarily characterixes the
average American would have suggested
TO the city council the propriety of Civ
ing nay clients notice Of an intention on
their part to take an action which. If sue
cessful, would take from them the most
valuable part of their franchises and facii-
tiles for the transaction OF business IN this
city. / have learned since my return that
these gentlemen were much agitated and
racked with fear lest, before they could get
their cooked-up programme carried ont
and the mayors signature to the ordi-
nance. they might be prevented by process
of law. Ii Is impossible to ascribe any
other motive to the distinguished Demo-
cratic statesmen VINO fathered this thing
than desire TO despoil the interests of
part of their constituents for the benefit
Of favored few, unless it were perhaps
incompetency to appreciate the needs OF
the city in respect To its railroad facilities.
To my mind it savors more strongly Of the
chieken-coveting propensities of the
Southern darkies than any other action
have ever known to be taken in this city.
l regret it because it is reflection on the
city; because Il tends TO create the im-
preston that the authorities of the city
are disregardful of vested property rights
and to create a feeling of insecurity which
can do the town no good.
I'm my opinion this action will in no
manner prejudiciaily affect the interests
of the railroad companies, although it was
designed to do so. In the first place Post
street was laid out as q street of the city
and had been in existence for nearly four
years In the next place the clearing ND
of the street and the removal of the build
ings by the city will be that much of an
aid TO the railroad companies in the con-
struction of their tracks. Ii any one will
sit down and take the trouble to estimate
the value of this right-of-way called the
rams horn. having regard to fair valua-
ton of the property which it covers. he
will find that, aside from the franchise and
the privilege of doing business over il, il
is worth three quarters of million dol
lars. 1t is therefore idle TO suppose that
these railroad companies intend to aban-
don or give up this right-of-way. It is
equally idle to suppose that the city can
acquire it by condemnation. If the law
would admit of the condemnation, the
city is not in a position. TO pay the fair
value of this property. The city attempted
TO destroy this franchise in 1850
by establishing Post street. The effort
was failure. The effort this time will be
failure, because it is illegal and unjust.
1t is an absurdity on the face of it to say
that a stree. is necessary through the
blocks lying between Front aud West
streets. II that Is true then every alley in
the city should at once be converted into q
street.
"As this is the last time expect TO have
anything tosay to q newspaper reporter
on this subject / desire now to say en-
pnatlcally that the railroad companies are
going to occupy this right-of-way. build
railroad tracks upon it and use them for
railroad purposes in future. all Of which
will be not only to the advantage OF the
railroad companies, but will be direct
benefit to every business man having a
place of business along IT."