The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-07-08
UE[Df lPlSSEIaRD[ROl.
Marion Street Was Vacated on N.
P.'s Promise to Build One.
wELLeM MAKES AN ADMISSION.


The recent passage OF arms between
President c. s. MeiIen, OF the Northern
Pacific. and the members of the city coun-
Gil relative to the building of a passenger
depot Ia this city has brought 10 the front
q matter which Ii held TO be of vital i'm
portance to the city. IT IL simply the To-
cation and building OF a terminal passen-
ger station for the joint use OF the rail-
roads which enter Seattle and which are
1or their passengers
II IL asserted by business men and by
member. of the city council VINO have
made a study OF the problem OF dealing
with the railroads which come TO Seattle.
that there Ia no city in the United States
of the size and Importance OF Seattle.
and which furnishes az much business TO
the railroads In proportion to population.
that has been so neglected BY the rail-
roads In tho matter OF providing shelter
and accommodations for travellers arriv-
ing at and departing from the city.
Members OF the city council justify their
position taken last Saturday in the con-
ference with President Mellen in relation
TO the proposed repeal OF the ordinance
sacating Marion street by the record OF
the conferences with President Winter and
other officials OF the Northern Pacific
when the latter asked the council 10 va
cate the street. 1t is asserted by the
,fJr has fhu.. al
by the Northern Pacific has not been
borne out by President MelIen that the
promise made then by President Winter
that the railroad would build a passenger
depot In Seattle IL the city gave it Marion
street has not been fulfilled ard that there
are no Indications OF the determination
or even inclination of the company 10 car
ry out the agreement made with the city
by President Winter on behalf OF the
Northern Pacific.
President MeIien's Admission.
The admission made by President Mellen
at last Saturdays conference that the
Northern Pacific obtained more business
In Seattle than In either Tacoma or Port
land. where much better facilities for the
accommodation and comfort OF travellers
have been provided by the North
ern Pacific, IL regarded as being
extremely pertinent IN the controversy
that has arisen. Members of the council
say that they do not understand the afti-
tude taken by President Mellen in regard
10 providing passenger facilities here In
view Of his admission thai this city fur
nished the road with more traffic than
other cities in the Northwest which have
been more favored.
IL Is tho judgment Of well-posted rail-
road officials and business men OF Seat
tie that a union depot used jointly by the
railroads having their termins In Seattle
Is the only real solution OF the problem
In Interviews secured yesterday by the
ost-inteiilgeneer with business men
railroad officers and members Of the coun-
ell, the opinion was generally expressed
that the site Of the Northern Pacific de-
pot (project~h) is Inadequate for a union
passenger depot under present conditions
and utterly so In view of the present and
prospective growth Of the city and OF the
railroad business In the Pacific North
west.
nat OF History.
TIE matter % :he vacation OF Marion
street by the city council Of Seattle was
first preached early In August. 1876 when
proposition was made by Andrew +.
Hurlsogh. then receiver OF the Northern
FaciiN for the Ninth judicial circuit, that
the eoiineil pass ban ordinance vacatinr the
street so as To enable the Northern Pa.
ellie to acquire site for a passenger sta.
ton In this city. Mr.. Burleigh then had
an option on Two blocks al land extending
between Madison AMI Columbia strests
between Railroad and Western avenues
The purchase price IF the PROPERTY was
&ias.@ss Enc sale rf the twn blocks To the
Northern Pacific depended upon the vsca-
ton of Marion street 81 as-to enable M.
road to hsve adequate room Tor making
ur trains within the station With th,,
4so fcet OF ground covered by She twn
blocks. ihe read asked the city for stxt,
feei on Marion street. making $40 rAat T.,
all II was stated thai the purchas, -
the TIVE blocks OF lard bv the Northern
Pacific depended upon tho granting ~ thr
vacation of Marion street NJ the time
the Northern Pacific asked that so,,,rn.
49, -