The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-02-03
rnE YIDE LAMBS.

The report Of Or. v. q. Bogue on the
plating of the tide lands at the head
OF the bay. which was recently pub
hshed in the Post IntelEgencer, sets be-
fore the people of Seattle all the facts
regarding an opportunity to insure the
future supremacy OF Seattle a. the
best harbor OF the Pacific coast. The
report of air. Bogue deals in am ex-
haustiye and mastery manner with the
probseuns to be solved an plating the
tide lands so that they shah be made
available for the uses to which they are
admirably adapted. It shows. by the ex-
perience Of the other ports Of the world.
how the provision OF Increased faeili-
ties for the better and cheaper handling
OF traffic has been rewarded with q
great increase IN ocean commerce, while
the neglect to make such provision has
caused the decline OF several once great
ports. Seattle should profit by the ex-
pegsunce OF other commercial cities and
seize the opportunity. now offered, once
for all. by taking care that her water
front is laid out On such lines that
ships and railroads can Interchange
traffic In the most speedy and econom-
teal manner and with due regard to
the general public interest.
This end can be attained blythe hearty
cooperation of the city council with the
board OF tide hand appraisers. The
latter have done their part wesl In TAX
ing the advice OF an engineer or such
ability as AIR. Bogue, and 1t rests with
the city council to see that tits adj
vice Is not throwu away. The first
thing to be provided for is space for
wharyes long enough and wide enough
to accommodate the largest steamers
afioat, In order that, even az the
wharSes should not now be erected the
full length, they may be extended with
out difficulty TO meet future needs.
The next and perhaps equally import
ant requisite Is the provision OF adj
quate facilities for the railroads. both
present and future. In such way as to
involve the least possible interference
with street traffic ard the least dam
ser to life aud property. In this re-
spect the present city administrator
can profit by the mistakes OF its prede-
ccssors.
Almost. IL not quite. every man who
has given the subject any thought adj
rists that the location OF Railroad av-
cnne below high water line was a mis-
take. costly alike to the city and the
railroads, and that if the work were
to be dolae over again. Il should be To-
Gated on firm land directly under the
oiun, 50 that the streets running cast
and west could be carried over II To fhe
wharves. But ali parties will be wei,
compensated Il they profit by the error,
OF the past In the present case. TIE
railroads north or Yesitsr avenue c,n.
iiSss well be moved, but the wav 10
clear Tor comprehensive plan s,uth
OF THAI thoroughfare. OF course the
tide land appraisers have no power "a
require that The railroads shall ,s,enn.
any particular tract OF the tss. l,,;-s
oas they can, IN conjunction with .sa
cry council plat them sn such a ,sav
t's@s certain tracts viii be hes, aesantess
10Y railroad purposes. and then the e,tv
Counsel can refuse 10 grant franchises
over any except certain streets leading
70 TIE designated tracts.
In thus providing for the ,,ae q. ~.
tide lands. ore condition should be In
SISTED on that no railroads should
cross streets at grade. II ns~eSs b,,t he
mentioned sltai TIRE grade crossings OF
Chicago row sacrifice 500 husx.-, ,sx,as
each yea- ana this essential c,,sssts.n
viii be obvious to al. There are e.sca,gs,
such crossings alreody. ard they have
hscs the scenes OF enough fatal acct
terts rs bring this necessity nc~ne -
every cItIzen. BY beginning now 20 IN
ssss thai there shall be no n,c~e. Tire
city cesn avid what would Inevitably
be q Constant menace 20 nee. ofyss-ec-
tos 20 ssatsic ard general psbuc
nuisance.
Cascago e-sd her railroads are row
seaEgerea at an estimated expense ar
Hundreds ee millions Of ssssila-s % 90
away with q growlag evil which Sc
attae can psevent by tire exercise az
frarleSs aad causfon On tire rart a.
her raessc servants. with the ground