The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-05-11

THE RAILROAD FRANCHISE.
The publication by the city council OF
the ordinance which was to grant fran
chiss for railroad TO the proposed four
ing mill has served a good purpose. 1t
shows that the council has a desire to
protect the interests of the city, but 1t
also shows that its commendable purpose
has led to the imposition of restrictions
which no substantial railroad would be
likely to accept. ANY intelligent citizen
will see that the council might very Justly
recede from some OF the positions 1t
all reasonable rights. II the franchise Is
to be granted at all. II must carry with
II certain privileges, of course. and those
privileges involve surrender on the part
of the city of some Of Its municipal con-
| troll over the right-of-way granted.
The use Of such a franchise involves
the outlay of a very large sum of money.
and the plans for railroad cover very
considerable extent of territory. II seems
very simple and reasonable to require that
q piece Of track shall be constructed and
maintained .'at such elevation or ele-
vations as the city council may
from time to time establish" but
the raising OF a grade OF one street
by the council at the instigation Of
half dozen lot owners might impose
upon the company the necessity of recon-
structing its railroad for several miles.
1t win be observed that this Is not to be
done once, but whenever the city council
shall direct. The presumption is that the
city council viii act with discretion and
In good faith: but different councils have
different ideas, and any railroad which
attempted to change Its grades as often
as the different streets had been changed
would have had To spend several millions
OF dollars
This right IL reserved by the council
not only for the streets over which the
railroad runs. but every street il crosses.
Suppose the railroad should be built this
year: next year the council then in Office
might determine to have Connecticut
street lowered for local reason. and in
order 10 accommodate influential inter-
ests. The railroad would have to change
its roadbed. not only across that street,
but for mile or two north and south.
necessitating the tearing up of every spur
TO every warehouse midway between those
wards another council. having plans for
Washington street or Weller street. might
require the grade--which is unsatisfactory
now. and always viii be TO one part OF
the street-to be raised so as 10 make an
easier grade between the waterway and
the mill Again would the railroad have
10 tear up its tracks and obey the ordi-
nance or forfeit It's franchise. 1t may be
said that the council would never exercise
/ their power. The answer Is that II has
done far worse-always with the best OF
motives. OK course--on Third street.
Fourth street. Stewart street. Front
street across the nch at North Seattle
and change OF grade at several other
| points has compelled street car lines To ra
to considerable expense. The present
council has been exceedingly cautious In
its dealings with such matters. but =.
would be unsafe to leave TO chance such
interests would arise under the EYER.
else OF 50 important a franchise. If n d
not Intended 20 enforce this conals,o,
why put It In.
IL Is true that some cities are now ~,
GREETING that they iid not exercise e~e,,.,
care In the matter OF granting frnnebs..s
especially where future engineering nrob-
lens had not been foreseen. In these rasss
there was. probably. dishonest council
careless engineer. or a no less careless
municipal attorney. Seattle IS no, placed
~ max condition Her council seems 70
desire 70 act carefully. and the officials
casrged with the determination OF ~
mechanical ana legal conditions are hosn
competent snd honest. The future az g.
attic, 80 FAR as the level OF ia tiae la
property Is concerned. ia now settled pa,
city engineer can just as well plan ahead
on behalf Of the city as the railroad enw,.
neer VIII have TO plan ahead on behalf !,
the railroad.
| Another objection is In the re~er1-tt,,
ny tire city a. the right TO consevn, -,
rcaased tracks and appurssaAnces ur.o,
the right -ot-way hereby xrantea-' sc~ ~,
value ct that time 81 the tracks on ,hs
rswat-os-way. This does no. take into eor.
ssdsrasioa aay % she saaetracks. sp,rs
WAREHOUSES;. turntables. or AIRY other u-on.
ersy which might be Constructed On prs.
vste lard by sae railroad scr the purpc~s
es making TIE rosaheA valuable. 7. nro.
foses 70 allow ;he raslroaa 90 go 90 tire
expense Of euiidlnx rs road over ansetsies,
tee land. keep II In repair aaranx TIE
years Of greatest expense. permit IL to