The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-06-07
SEATTLE. MONDAY, JUNE :.
ENCOURAGE NEW INDUSTRIES.

The city council will probably tonight
take up the subject OF franchise Tor the
necessary railroad to the new -four mill.
The public are satisfied Of the desire OF
the council to protect their interests by
encompassing .ue franchise with prudent
restrictions. and they viii now anxiously
await evidence that the council has the
good judgment TO stop shor, OF prohibiuve
regulations. The council will also soon he
called upon TO consider a similar appiica-
ton for traffic facilities for the proposed
smeiter. The city needs these new enter
prises fully as much as their promoters
need the city: and In any event there is no
reason why the council should not be able
10 deal with the subject in a rational and
huslness-iMe way.
The establishment of n Touring mill is
only the first of many enterprises which
Will need railroad spurs and branch lines.
Tho erection OF smeiter will do more
good for Seattks than twenty army posts
and we do not underestimate the import
ance OF the army post. Both OF the pro-
posed industries viii permanently employ
labor 10 "A considerable extent. and II, in
addition to these. We secure a sampling
works. as we assuredly will. there is no
branch OF business which Will not benefit.
These advantages are worth trying 10
get. and all the city Is asked 10 do Is TO
make reasonable concessions to the rail-
roads which are so important factor in
tho development OF trade. There is a com
mon point OF meeting between the inter-
ests directly concerned and the city, and
that point would be promptly reached. Wa
Will give them credit by believing. by any
one member OF the council IL the matter
concerned his individual interests and
were left 10 his single judgment What is
true of the member must be true of the
collective body.
The conditions of the franchise have
been thoroughly canvaased. Some of them
need no controversy. others have been re-
iuctan;ly submitted TO Icy the railroads.
and few have been rejected as prohibit
lively onerous 1t is too absurd y suppose
that with both sides DESTROYS Of entering
into sn arrangement the details cannot be
40 modified az to he acceptable.
The Chicago Post, an independent news
paper. which shows no mercy toward ex-
actions hy local railroad corporations.
warns against going TO an extreme. Dis
cnSsing a proposed provision in a fran
chise for street railroad. II says: This
means that the twen.y~ycar term is an
empty and meaningless formsllty; that the
legislature gives nothing that cannot be
revoked at any time by the local govern
raents. II means th1t the mayor and tho
aldermen can AZ sny time put an end 30
the business OF operating the elevated rail-
Way of course. this amendment is really
fatal 70 the project. and the company viii
hardly venture 20 embark in the great ard
ha. araous enterprise under such terrls as
those"
This comment goes 70 the kernel Of tho
difficulty confronting scattie. The rail-
roads are not unwilling 50 submit 10 pre-
arranged terms. or even To revocation az
she franchise "a a penalty fer failure 30
operate the road in substantial compliance
with the purpose OF the franchise. but
ihey are unwilling 10 Re summary dis
Possessed OF valuable property rights ere
stoa ny the outlay az large sum %
rioncy. for every technical violation Of an
ordnance. The railroads are willing 20
ineur the outlay and wait fer returns upon
conditions new 70 he made bat they can
MOI 10 expected "a invest capital with tho
rlsk 81 any su6seauea; conditions which
the varying opinions OF successive com
ci,s mlsht impose.
The people ~ Seattle want the fran
eoise granted. ans they expect the council
- 20 astete enough 10 ind medium hy
which Il may Re accorded. not giving VIM
restrained privileges. neT deleAslng the
pnFposc ~ exaciions to which no business
man would submit