The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-12-06
TO LOWER THE LAKE.
Residents Of the Valleys Ask
Help From the City.
AN ATTEMPT TO cERRYMANoER.
How - Get . Dsneeratss Alaspaaa
Yrsn sAs Eighth warA-cAsrssr
Rsviaieu Csnmittse.

The subject Of widening the portage 30
a. 10 relaeve the waters Of the Duwamish
valleys, was brought 70 the attention of
the charter revision committee last night
by . delegation consisting of ex-Shsrsf
William Cochrane. Luke McRedmond,
Henry Weston. Martin Nelson. Thomas
Sanders, C. II. Aiken, C. II. Hagan and
George Bosheii-
Luke NcRedmond was called TO explain
the proposition, which Is that the city
shall incorporate In the charter some
measure by which the portage can be
widened. 20 q TO lower the level of Lake
Washington, and consequently carry of
the waters Of Cedar river and prevent the
overflow Of the valleys.
William Cochrans followed in IN earnest
appeal 70 the city to join the county in
providing the necessary funds. which
would amount to about SIS COO each for
the city and county. The overiowed
territory last winter felt loss of not iess
than 81, 600 coo, and this could be saved.
besides retaining valuable land and
affording the city supply Of pure water.
Mayor Ronald thought money could be
taken from the water fund. The city had
contemplated getting the Cedar river
water, because the people needed living
supply. Mr.. Ronald dweit upon the
benefits that would follow: but the city.
he said, could not do the work alone. Yet
be felt satisfied that the increased taxes
derived from the district improved would
repay the city In . very few years An
objection was that 90 long ~ the water is
taken from Lake Washington the city
viii have to pay an enormous amount Of
money for pumping. He understood that
the canal through the portage could be
sufficiently widened for the purpose pro-
posed for $40, 900. IL could not be done,
however, unless the county joined the
city. !
Mr.. Wood said Cedar river could be
tapped at . lower level than originally
proposed, and run direct TO the pumps. so
that the city would have pure water long
before it could afford 10 carry out the
gravity system Mr.. Wood also saw in a
reduced lake level improved opportunities
for bouievards.
DR.. Jordan thought the matter should be
referred to Gov. McGraw.
Mr. Cochrsne said it was not . question
OF politics, and the party that put it
through would DO much to redeem the
past. II the city could raise SIS 600 he
believed the county could do the rest.
The chair appointed Mayor Ronald. ex-
Judge Wood and Mr.. Don worth as q COM
mittee to investigate the subject.
w. q. Armstrong moved to reconsider
the amendment making the city council
consist Of eighteen members, which was
heretofore adopted.
The motion prevailed and the main ques-
ton again put.
Chairman Drew explained that he did
not believe the measure would b carried
by the people, but in order that the COM
mission should show some progress and
make some definite proposition. he wouid
vote in the afirnfative The vote stood:
Ayes s, nays L. Once again this question
will go to the council.
The committee on public works reported
In favor OF repeating the present system
Of making street improvements by bonds.
Mr.. Donworth explained that the present
system Is q poor one and that the credit of
the city will be injured by the defaulting
of the bonds. The report was adopted
and referred TO the committee on law re-
vision.
proposition was read making the
aldermen's term of Office last only two
years from March, 1894 At the next cleo
ton aldermen shall be elected from the
Second. Sixth, Seventh and Ninth wards.
DIR. Crichton said there was . political
trick in this. DIR. Sweeney had been
elected from the Sixth ward and removed
to the Eighth. Ingram now represents
the Eighth ward and goes out of office in
1904 By this plan be would be succeeded
by Sweeney, Democrat, in q ward which
would usually elect Republican. and save
the Sixth to the Democrats, which they
were most likely to carry.
The amendment was voted down.
An unfavorable report was presented
upon the amendment as to the storage OF
explosives on the ground that the charter
should be limited to general principles.
The committee adjourned until tonight