The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-10
No letters on commerce.
RENTALS ron IMPROVEMENTS
FIxED on TAX BASIS.
State LAna C0mnfSsfon Arrives NJ
Satisfactory Agreement Win
Water Front OwneRn Rents
nasea on Tax Assessment Charged

A thoroughly amicahle conference be-
tween the state board OF land commits
sIoners and the representatives OF the Sc
attic dock and water front owners was
held IN the Chamber o. Commerce yester-
day. resulting In the settlement o. the
question OF rentals 20 be charged the OWL
era Of improvements situated within the
reserved harbor area
There were present the members OF the
state land commission. Robert Bridges,
Chairman. VIII d. jenkins and z j.
Browne. and about thirty gentlemen either
owning improvements On the water front
or representing such owners.
The proposition TO tax the dock owners
whose improvements extend inside the re-
served AREA or who wish TO build their
docks and wharvss across the harbor strip.
was advanced several months ago by the
board OF state land commissioners. Il was
not favorabiy received al first. as II was
understood that IL was the intention Of the
commission 20 axsese the dock owners at
a specified rate Per ton OF freight or coal
passing over the docks. In the discussion
o. the matter yesterday Land Commits
sioner Bridges made Il plain that the board
would not pursue such policy. but would
adopt an arrangement. by which the state $
reserve occupied by private parties would
be made 10 yield q revenue equal TO the
amount taken in taxes, were Il owned by
private individuals or corporations. ex-
elusive OF improvements.
The conference began soon after 1870
o'clock yesterday morning. The first ques-
ton was that raised by The attorneys pres
ent, relative TO the ruling OF Ass.staa, At
IL m he n
under the law the commission would not
be authorized 10 lease portions Of the har-
Dor area to manufacturing industries and
the like.
The law gives the commission power 20
lease the land for wharves ard docAs for
facilitating and assisting commerce and
navigation. Judge J. A. Stratton. on being
asked for his construction Of the law, said
that 1t was his opinion that the act con-
tenpla.ed the leasing OF the harbor area
for manufactorles and other industries as
well as wharves and docks. He said that
fair and liberal Interpretation Of the law
would admit OF the use OF the states land
for this purpose
Samuel II. Piles agreed with Judge STRAIT
ton. and in en-uintte talk gave reasons
why proper construction OF the act could
be considered as permitting the state land
commission TO lease the harbor area for
these purposes. in addition 20 the erection
of wharvss and docks.
Nearly all of the attorneys present who
expressed themselves on the question
joined In this view OF the matter. Land
Commissioner Bridges revealed the fact
that the members OF the commission were
willing to take this position and were anx-
ious TO do all In their power to aid the
commercial and industrial progress Of the
city. II was a question with him how the
supreme court would hold In the matter.
Although Mr.. Bridges did not suggest it.
II seems entirely likely that the matter
will be brought to the attention OF the
courts and a ruling from the supreme
court sought by the parties in interest.
Commissioner Bridges being asked on
what basis the commission would FIX
rentals 10 be charged the owners of i'm
provements on the harbor strip. said that
II was about decided to ask yearly rental
equal TO the amount the state would re-
eeive IL the lands were held by private
owners and paid an annual tax into the
Golfers OF the state. II was proposed 70
charge an amount equal TO about ; per
cent. on the assessed valuation os prop
erty directly abuttiug in the direction OF
the upsauds. as returned by the county as
SCISSOR. exclusive OF improvements. and
equal in size TO the strip rented from the
state.
Among the water front owners and rep
resentatives of companies interested pres
ent were: c. j. Smith. l.. c. Gilman. J. A.
Stratton, Roger s. Greene Alfred Battle.
John Leary. u. 4. Mckenzie. Maurice Nc
Micken. f. r. Blaine. Robert Moran.
George Stetzon. J. NJ. Coiman. John Col
Inns and S. II. Piles.