The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-01-11
To Build a Line Of Railroad
Across the Tide Flats.
SAYS THAT IT WILL BE A GO
Petition for the Franchise Filed
Another TranseontinentaI Line
May Enter Seattle-Polfce Force
bers A Very Quiet Meeting.

Gil last night for a franchise for
ard gauge railroad. running on Railroad
avenue from a point just south of Jack
son street over the tide fats 10 Duwam-
ish head. Terminal facilities are asked
on the strip CT water front bounded by
Occidental and Oriental avenues. with
side tracks connecting with the Northern
Pacific tracks at the junction of the
South canal waterway and Walla WaiIa
avenue, and connecting with the Great
Northern and Seattle & International on
Railroad avenue near its intersection
with Jackson street.
An ordinance granting the franchise
was introduced at the meeting of the city
council last night and referred to the
committee on privileges and franchises.
The plan of connecting Seattle and TIA
coma by a shore line of railroad has
long been entertained by several men in
the state who have believed that the time
would come when another transcontinent-
al railroad line would be built 10 Puget
sound Mr. Ross was engaged in laying
ont railroad and in grading the right
OF way over the Puyallup Indian reser-
walton across Commencement bay from
Tacoma, several years ago. when he was
stopped by the Feder;SA courts. 1t re-
quired the presence of a force of regu-
lars from Vancouver 10 prevent him from
carrying out his plans. 1t was then said
Ross. The scheme was shelved, how
ever and Mr.. Ross plans were never
made public, as he has since refrained
from discussing them.
Various interests in Tacoma opposed
the granting of the franchise across the
tide flats of that city. but after a spirited
Tight the ordnance was passed, II is in
furtherance of this scheme that Mr.. Ross
applied last night for a franchise in this
city. He intends building a line along
the shore of the Sound connecting the
two cities.
Post-Intelligencer reporter yesterday
asked Mr. Ross if he was acting for any
Of the transcontinental lines. He replied
in the negative, but animated that in his
opinion, 1t would not be long before an
Otiltf line OF railroad would De nuilt 10
tide water on Puget sound.
Following is description of the route
as outlined in the ordinance introduced
last night:
Beginning a a point a. feet west and
80 0sa feet north of the northwest corner of
block so. Seattle tide lands. thence south
u feet east OF and parallel 10 the west
marginal line OF Occidental avenue I.id0.eiS
feet: thence on a curve OF uniform radius
of 1850 feet TO the left. distance of .i5 l99
fact a min, ~ =
seconds east 200 feet; thence on a curve OF
uniform radius of 573 ga feet to the right a
distance of AS 100 feet, TO the northeast
corner of block 3l0, Seattle tide lands:
thence south on line between blocks 80
and 800 Seattle tide lands and said line
produced, being parallel and SCI feet west
OF the west line of block 30l and 500 Seattle
tide lands a distance OF 2t99. 13i feet TO
intersection with the south boundary line
of the city of Seattle
beginning at the above-describeC point
at the northeast corner OF block 3l6 Seat
TIE tide lands. thence northeasterly by
curve of uniform radius of 513 So feet n
distance OF il5109 feet; thence north Il
degrees 2 minutes %.5 seconds east 200
feet. thence on curve Of uniform radius
OF $3.50 feet. to the left a distance of
ia lGt feet: thence north on a line parallel
10 and - feet west of the east marginal line
Of Oriental avenue. distance of 745s 055
feet 10 an intersection with the center line
of King street.
Beginning at the intersection Of the CEN
ter line of Seattle boulevard and the south
north y degrees minutes Ii seconds east
parallel with and 20 feet distant from
measured perpcndicuiar thereto, the east
erly marginal line of Seattle boulevard.
2.alf955 feet. II the intersection with the
south line of Canal waterway produced
eaSterly.
"Begtnn'ng at q point on the hrst-de-
scTlhed center line Is feet east of and $50 2s6
feet south q the south point of block 32s
seattle tide lands thence rorthwesterly
| by curve TO the left, Of uniform radius
Of $500 feet, a distance of 5a5 % feet
thence north 30 degrees 81 minutes sec
onds west along center line % Railroad
way l,elS-fS7 feet 70 q point 81 feet east of
The west marginal lire O: Railroad ave-
aue.
Beginning at point on tho first-de-
scrihed center line. Is feet east ans; Isl 81
test south of the northeast point OF block
3A, Seattle tide lands: thence Southwestern
ly by a curve TO the right OF uniform "a Ill
the center line OF Holaate avenue. thence
west along said center line and said line
thence southNeSteriy hy a curve of uui-
form radius 70 the left Of 573 CO feet Il dis
j9nCe Of lS- 90 feet. thence south IS de-
gfe"S T. minutes = seconds west l4i0Sla
Feet 20 the intersection Of the center line
NJ Railroad avenue and west boundary
4 The city Of Seattle.
Beginning at a point an the ilrst-ae-
srrtoed center line. on Occidental avenue.
i feet east Of and Isl 81 feet north OF the
lands. theme" north~eSt"rly h% curve TO
the left, OF uniform radius. Of 57G ~ fpef a
81 s1aDre o. %l ~ feet. "a the intersection
with the center line Of Hojeate avenue -
Following are tho conditions named ir,
Tho ordinance. which must be complied
with by NJ. Ross:
FirSt-Thc owner or occupant OF every.
wharf contiguous - the railroad or IN.
streets along which IL shall run. SHAH
nave a sdeirack connecting The road
slth the wharf and warehouse. II Is
provided that such sidetrack shall IN
constructed ley the owner or OCCUPANT of
The wharf and hy him kept in reuatr
Second-The read shall be- constructed
Do a level with the wharves along the
rjSbt-nf-way.
Tei-d-The grantee shall keep In re
pair The portion Of ali streets occupied by
;he f.2ht-of-Nay.
Fourth-The grantee shall not allow
s.srs CO engines - stand upon the track
3.orS the water front longer than 10 90
necessary switching without the consent
~ the owners Of the wharf
Ftfth-Tae grantee shall begin actual
obstruction of the road within six
months after tbe granting ~ the fran
~hes~ and shah have completed ana n
operation w.tsatE three years a tine of
railroad not less thau 10 miles hong.
II Is further provided that the city of
seattle shan have control over the
streets avenues and alleys over which
the roaa shall run.
Section : cf the ordinance provides tnat
hereafter any other railway company
constructing road q standard gauge
.nto the city. upon receiving Z franchise
shall have the common use % the tracks
in the rtgat-of-way described upon the
payment 20 tire grantee % such rentals
as shall De equitable and Just