The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-08-29
NO MORE RAMS HORN.
City Council Proposes to Con-
denim 1t as a Street.
AN ORDINANCE ALREADY PASSED.
New Coarse Taken 90 Prevent Coium-
bia . psget SQUAD oecspying ths
Crooked Right-ef- way.

The city council last night took very
important step toward settlement OF the
rams horn problem. II was no less than
the passage Of an ordinance providing Tor
the laying out Of street, 20 be called Post
street. from Yesier avenue almost along
and covering most Of the rams horn 70
University street. IL is understood that
the Columbia Il Puget Sound railroad. for
titled By the recent decision Of the supreme
court in its favor, intends TO NJ once lay
tracks from Columbia street. where they
now stop. north along the entire right OF
way.
The council metin joint convention with
DIR. J. 4. Kioeber in the chair, which be
vacated, as he Is the protector Of the ordi-
nance. The movement was supported BY
Hon. Roger s. Greene. J.. J. coIman, j. b.
McDougalI. Capt David Gilmore and
other property owners along the track.
Hon. Roger s. Greene explained 10 the
council the purport OF the bill. IL was
proposed TO condemn street from fesler
avenue TO University street to be called
Post street. 1t would be forty feet wide
from Yesler to Columbia and thirty-six
feet from Columbia 20 University.
IL would take the part Of the rams horn
right-of-way. About the center line OF
Cherry street produced westward and
about 800 feet west Of Front street the
rams horn crosses toward the east and
then turns 80 that IL runs over the Col
man and other property. Most OF the pro-
posed street viii therefore cover the rams
horn. Ali citizens felt the need OF some
action to protect life and property. The
rams horn. be said, is a mischief which
should be got rid of aud the best way Is to
dispose Of IL rs finaiity. The laying out
of this street IL the concentrations
are successful, would eticctually dispose of
the subject as 1t would include the essen
tiai parts Of the right-ofway. The ques-
tion of damages, he knew, was important.
They would include the acquired rights OF
the railroad through an ordinsRce. and
also property coded TO the rail-
road. The right-of-way TO be con-
demned In all below the meander
lire, and belongs TO the state of Washing
ton II is. therefore. doubtful If the ripa-
rian owners who coded the land ever had
any land TO give away. What is bought
of the state. Ii In reasonable TO suppose.
win be acquired at moderate prices. The
most valuable land to be condemned will
be that held by private parties. As
regards damages to the railroad, the
question il whether IL had any through
right-of-way. II the right-of-way Is
already subiivided by part of 1t having
lapsed that would operate to reduce the
damages. He believed most of the riparian
property owners would assent 10 very low
estimates OF damage It may be that this
attempt Is not cffectuai; that must depend
upon the determination OF several ques-
tions by the supreme court; but
they knew that much of the land
lies within ownership already established.
The case 10 be presented 20 the supreme
court does not come within that already
decided In the Railroad avenue question.
His opinion was that the condemnation
can be lawfully made. Ii was beyond the
power of the council TO grant an irrevoc-
able franchise, and the court has already
held that . right-of.way can be con-
demned for public street. So
important movement, which goes right
20 the root Of the rams horn, should be
taken as early as possible. aud even If the
cost were large, the city viii. by the time
the litigation is ended. be we'll able 10. pay
the damages. and forever put tho rams
horn out of the way.
DIR. kioeber. calling Alderman Miller 10
the chair. said he had presented the ordi-
nance 10 the council, believing that the
rams horn was constant menace 20 the
interests of the city. II seems that the
only means by which the railroads eonld
be kept from occupying IL was by opening
up street. An expenditure of a few hun.
dred dollars at this stage would show
whether the city could afford to pay the
damages. IL is the purpose of many of
the property owners TO donate a strip
OF land along the east side of
Railroad avenue 80 that the railroad could
shift its tracks and so get of the present
tortuous line which has so long jsop-
ardixed important business thorougAiares
He did not desire to see the city acting
arbitrarily in dealing with any real or
fancied rights. but he thought every man
would eonceds that an imperative duty
lay before them 20 clear the way for settle
ment OF vexed question.
Lawrence j. Colman said there was ur-
gent need of action. The railroad track is
already at Columbia street, and any DELAY
viii only give opportunity TO extend IL
north and 80 do damage which would
hereafter have TO be taken into account
by oondemning the street proposed the
entire right-of-way will be made yatueless.
bat the property owners stand ready TO
donate land by way of compensation. BY
giving mp seven feet on the east side
of Railroad avenue. and adding IL TO eieh,
already laid cut. the railroad would have
ffteen feet This the company will accent.
provided 1t is given the fifteen feet on he
outside of Railroad avenue now held un,
der an expired franchise 30 tho Portland 4
Puget Sound railroad
Ex.Jadge Greene added that the pron-
erty owners were in good faith Offering to
aid the city in etfeetnslly and finally dis
posing Of the Objectionable rams horn.
George nonworth said the common noints
had been stated by Judge 0reene. The
important question was whether the city
desired 80 prevent the building OF
the rams horn track. lie can be
done .either By amieahie settlement
or by the condemnation for the proposed
street II the ordinance passes. Their,
will be a suit In which the city Will be
plaintiff and the railroad. with al rror.
erty owners alon. the street. defendants
One question is whether the city can con.
denim = street loagltedinaily along is
rieht-ot-waY.
President kleeber rnovei that the con.
vention recommend passage OF the bill and
IL was carried.
The eoanet taen stood adjourned. Each
hoEse then went into separate session and
the ordinance Vas passed
The ordinanee VAS presented 20 MAYOR
Ronald and received his signature aAoas
midnight
uSAcCEpTEp sHINGLEs.