The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-06-12
PLAN FOR THE CANAL
Council Proposes to Improve
Water Supply.
SUBSCRIPTIONS TO BE RAISED.
Proposed Red action Of Teiephone Rates
wires TO BE Placed under Ground
Routine Business

The city council met in joint session last
evening to act upon the Lake Washington
canai matter. The special COMMITTEES to
whom was referred the petition Of the
farmers in relation 20 lowering the lake
reported that they had visited the officials
of the Washington Improvement Com
pany and requested 20 know on shAe
terms they would permit the city 70 en-
large the present canal, or wnas ihsy
would sell the canal for. and had been In-
formed that the company would sell TIE
canal only. The opinion OF the corpora
ton counsel had been asked regarding the
city's rights in the premises, and ne hsa
reported that there were no legal difficult
ties TO overcome. The committee there
fore drafted resolution, Is follows:
ssw HrREAs, Certain citizens OF hIng
county, Washington. have applied TO me
CITY Of Seattle asking their aid in lowering
the waters Of Lake Washington-and nave
represented that by so lowering the waters
OF the lake the waters OF Cedar river
would flow into and through the lake.
thereby irving to the city OF Seattle
large and abundant supply Of pure mount
ain water for It's use. and
WHEREAS, The said citizens have as
sured the representatives of the city that
manner as IL might deem best, the lower
ing OF the waters of said lake, and would
furnish such supervision and engineering
as might be necessary. they would raise
and place at the disposal of the city sucn
sum of money as may be necessary. and
"WHEKEAs, The clty OF Seattle beiieyes
II would be to her interest to have her
water supply improved as Aforesaid: now.
therefore. be IL
.sResoised. By the city council OF the city
of Seattle. in joint convention assembled,
as follows:
THAT The city hereby expresses It's will
iingness 10 undertake the lowering OF the
waters Of Lake Washington in the manner
following:
aFarst-That there shall be raised either
in cash or in securities, TO be approved by
the Joint finance committee of the two
houses, the sum of SO. 600, which said sum
In cash or in securities shall be deposited
with the city treasurer. That said sum IN
cash or in securities shall be deposited at
one time. and the city treasurer shall not
receive any portion OF said sum unless the
whole thereof is received at one time.
That when said sum Is so raised and de-
posted, the same shall be paid out sub
stantiaIiy az hereinafter indicated.
'Second--Thsuwhe said sum In cash or
securities Is raised and deposited as afore-
said, the city of Seattle will thereupon
best to lower the waters of Lake Washing
ton, either by purchase Of the canal of the
Washington improvement Company or by
digging a new canal 10 connect the waters
oil said lake with salt water. and for this
purpose shall and may use all or any por-
ton of the said sum of 10000 ins cash or
in securities for such purpose. provided,
however. that the city of Seattle agrees to
furnish at her own cost all expense of en-
gineering and supervision in relation
thereto. and only 70 use said sum of $50. 900
in payment of the other and different cost
and expense of said undertaking.
"Third-~That the city of Seattle In ac-
eepting this trust expressly reserves the
right TO use aud expend said sum of
money In such ways and at such times as
II shall deem best, and it shall not be
liable to an accounting 60 any person or
persons in any way in relation thereto"
Delegate James moved that the report
of the committee be adopted and the
motion carried.
II. Van ASSET appeared before the coun-
Gil and stated that from inquiries made by
him he had found that the farmers and
other interested people objected to open
ing n new canal, but were in favor of buy
out the Washington improvement Com
pany's interest. lie thought that the
tirely. but as for the benefit of the whole
county and should be paid for by tho
county.
Alderman elise then moved that the
resolution be adopted and asked that the
ayes and nays be taken. Upon the vote
IL stood Il IN favor and 1 against Dele
gate Crichton. the minority. asked that he
be allowed to explain his vote. lie stated
that as far as the resolution went he was
in favor OF II. bat objected To the farmers
paying all the expense. as he thought the
city should do something more than SUI
pervise the work.
There is a subscription list going the
rounds" replied Delegate Hurd, land
have no doubt that our brother delegate
will have a chance 30 help IL along"
III have heard that he has lately become
farmer himself, having made purchase
of some farm property. which might ex-
plain the doctors sympathy with the
farmers" laughingly remarked President
Miller, which created considerable mirth
at the doctors expense.
The committee was instructed to COM
municate with the farmers committee for
the purpose of notifying them OF the
action OF the council.