The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-08-21
TO END THE MIDDLE.
Council Committee FayOPs All
Railroad Franchises.
RAMS HORN SPUR RESTORED.
Conference Results I'm Agreement With
Companies - Great Northern
Ready TO Go TO Work.

The almost interminable fight over rail-
road franchises seems to be nearer an end
now than at any other time. and the
sometimes turbulent discussions over the
rams horn" may no longer be heard
The conference committee Of the city
council Yesterday afternoon voted in Ia
yor Of recommending the passage of the
franchises as they now stand, with the
exception that the clause is restored 10
the rams horn franchise by which the
Oregon Improvement Company viii retain
its spur 10 Columbia street, change IN
the wording of the clauses relating TO
paving making a certain width for a
single track and certain width Tor
double track, and the acceptance clause
of each franchise changed so that II ap-
parently makes the conditions more bind
ing The railroad companies had also
agreed to accept the franchises. with the
exceptions noted. The Great Northern
depot franchise ordinance was also re-
ported back TO the houses as presented by
City Engineer Thomson, and Its passage
recommended.
The conference committee consisted CT
Aldermen Sweeney, Lovejoy and Ander-
son, and Delegates Voigt. Hurd and Lit
tie. The railroad companies were repre-
scented by Andrew +. Burleigh for the
Northern Pacific, oregon Improvement
Company and Columbia & Puget SOUND,
the Great Northern. City Engineer Thorn
son was also present.
What Caused the Conference.
The ordinances covering these railroad
franchises passed the board OF aldermen
some time ago, and in them the lines Of
the rights-of-way were made in conform
ity with the tide land plat, leaving the
Columbia street spur. The house changed
them by making the descriptions Of The
rights-of-way tie TO monuments on Front
and Commercial streets. striking out all
reference to the tide lana plat; the house
also struck of the Columbia street spur.
These bills were then presented 10 the
board of aldermen as substitutes to their
own bills, which were in turn substitutes
for the railroad companies bill.
This made it necessary, if further
amendment were desired. to have
a conference committee. rather than 10
go substituting bills. conference
compittee was named, and the meeting
held yesterday is the last development in
the case to date.
The conference committee agreed upon
new bills entirely, covering al matters
of disagreement. The principal features
are the retention of the Columbia street
spur, the changing of clauses relating 10
paving and repaving ;hat shall be done
by the various companies, and the chang
ing of the acceptance clause of each fran
chise to make them more binding. There
was a majority of four in the committee
in favor of recommending the passage of
the new ordinances, Delegate oigt stick
ing on the Columbia street spur clause.
Alderman Lovejoy was also excused be-
fore the matter finally came to a vote.
The bills are now in the hands Of the city
engineer.
q. y. Depot Franchise Adopted.
The conference committee then took up
the bill, now in the hands of the railroad
committee of the board of aldermen,
which contains the Great Northern depot
franchise, and agreed TO report IL back 10
the council as presented by the city en-
gineer, and recommend its passage. There
are three other bills in the engineers
Office; one for spur to Yesler dock, one
for a transfer track to the Ocean dock
Oregon Improvement Company and the
third for a transfer track on the Rail
road avenue ~ BY the provisions of
these bills the various railroad companies
all agree to give and take of one another's
property. in order that the tracks may be
Strengthened. III these bills are not passed
as agreed upon by the companies, the
Great Northern will be in the same con-
dltion as heretofore-it will not be able to
reach its depot grounds, and the rams
horn would remain as heretofore. AS the
railroad companies are now all agreed on
these matters. ii looks as though the
present were a favorable time to take
definite action on the franchises.
Under all these franchises the railroad
companies have 10 pave, build overhead
viaducts when needed. maintain fagmen
at crossings. conform 10 the general grade.
come under all necessary laws governing
police powers in connection with the
standing of cars on crossings. speed with
in the city limits. and everything which
viii protect public life and property. There
is one exception. however. In the rams
horn ordinance there Is no provision for
overhead viaducts TO be paid for by the
company. The Oregon Improvement Com
pany has such an absolute ownership of
its right-of-way. under the decisions of
the supreme court. that 1t was impossible
TO amend its franchise in this particular.