The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-08-03
FAVORSTHENEW PLAT
Chamber of Commerce Speaks
Out on Tide Land Question.
CLEAR TITLE is THE CHIEF NEED
Resolution In Favor of yacatfng the
Old Plat Passes Almost Without
Opposition.

The Chamber OF Commerce last evening
took decided stand on the auss-
ton OF the tide land plat by adopting,
with but one dissenting vote. a resolution
urging the city council 20 vacate the old
plat. and thus settle the controversy. Be-
sides the members OF the chamber several
prominent citizens having direct interest
IN this matter were present by invitation.
President Graves briefly stated the OBJ
feet OF the meeting, and called upon Mr.
Prosch, a member OF the board OF tide
land arpraisers, TO relate the action or
the board in making the new plat OF the
Seattle tide land that was legalized by the
last legislature.
Mr. Prosch proceeded at considerable
length TO recount the work OF the board,
dwelling particularly upon the fact that
the city council OF Seattle and its engf-
neers had In strong terms Endorsed IL.
Railroad companies and private individ-
uals having an interest IN the REPEATING
of the lands had been invited to meet with
the board and advise regarding the best
method OF plating the land so as 10 best
further the interests OF the city. The
board had deemed il best TO change the
old plat that had existed. or. in fact. to
nearly ignore Il, and to substitute therefor
a broader and better plan to meet the re-
quirements OF the great business interests
tha. are 10 grow up here In reply TO
Hon. Thomas Burke nor any other man
save one had objected 10 the plat recon-
mended. and that man did SO upon the
grounds of personal interest.
Calvin II. Hagan. manager OF the Union
Trust Company did not like the new plat
under consideration. Its adoption would
be prejudicial TO the interests of the prop
erty owners of North Seattle. He would
not be in favor OF vacating the entire
original plat. but would be willing TO see
adopted the South Seattle part of the map.
where present interests would not be in
terfered with. He would let Railroad ave-
nue. remain in accordance with the old
Plat To change that street as recon-
mended would be TO destroy the value of
a very large amount OF property. He did
not know what plan TO recommend re-
garding the changes in North Seattle
streets The way out Of the present diff
Guilty could be found in due time
Andrew Knox argued that the proper
way TO get az a settlement of the ques-
ton is TO have friendly suit brought be-
fore the courts. and vigorously urged to a
settlement. 1t would not take many
months The delay would be preferable
to procedure in way that would leave 4
cloud upon the title and thus delay in
vestments. Let all litigation be settled
at the outset. Now there are two sets OF
streets and persons desiring to embark In
be at a loss 10 know which set would
finally be decided legal
w d Wood did NOT favor this course.
He would not have the council do moi e
than pass ordinances Vacating certain
streets where objections had not been
filed or where no known objections ex-
listed.
Other members contended that the city.
having no jurisdiction over the tide flats,
can do nothing but accept the situation
and adopt the plat as legalized by the .cg-
islature. Also that the city Is losing
many excellent enterprises that would be
established here il this question were
promptly settled. Tacoma and other cities
are going on without delay in this direc-
ton and gaining vantage ground IN pus-
mess directions.
Several speakers praised the tide land
appraisers for their wise and careful
plans for the Improvement of the city.
Though some private interests may be
damaged by the carrying out of the sys-
TEN of plating. the greatest good 10 the
greatest number had been carefully
studied.
Samuel Ramsey said that he was ready
to have the question brought to vote.
r. ri. Crawford offered the following
resolution;
Resolved. That the common council OF
the city of Seattle be urged to vacate The
streets laid out over the ,ade lands In
front of the city OF Seattle as The same
existed prior 10 March Ia. 1895
The resolution was adopted almost
unanimously, IL evidently being the feel
ing OF those present that IL is time that
this phase of the tide land question Is
settled. and that the work Of development
of home industries be pushed forward.
The secretary Of the chamber was in
structed 10 send a copy of the resolution
10 both houses OF the city counciL-