The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-02-01
BUREAU 70 Be CREATED.
CITY Council Will Aid In Looking
After Local Visitors.
TWO ORDINANCES PASSED.
one Creates the Burenu. the Other
ProyId~. for the Liren.isg Of Ho-
teBs and Lodging HouseS-1 osneii
I'm . Fight Over the Hes1er Way
Franchise whole Matter Re-
ferred to Corporation Counsel.

At meeting Of the city council last night
sne ordinances providing for a bureau %
public comfort and information and ne u
censlng Of hotels and lodging houses we're
passed
The ordinance extending for a period OF
fifty years the franchise Of the Seattle
Construction Company for the operation OK
the yesier way cable hne, and authorizing
the company 10 double track the line. was
the subject Of good deal Of discussion.
The ordnance was finally referred 10 the
corporation counsel for an opinion as 10
whether il was not in conflict with the city
charter ard whether IL gives the council
the right to regulate the rate Of fare
A number Of those who signed the petit
ton for the passage OF the ordinance were
In The lobby and took part in the discus
sion. which was opened by g. W. Somerin-
dyke. Mr. Somerindyke said the Sssler
way cable limo since 10 Was built was one
Of the most accommodating lines in the
city ard gave the best service. He simply
spoke a. one Of the sigHers of the petition
and not as a representative OF the street
railway company. The ordinance would
result rn The company's spending t!0o, 60 IA
putting in double tracks.
Road Must He Improved.
L. e. Gilman said that IT was unneces-
sary TO cali attention 20 the poor condition
OF the Yesier way line. IL could not be
operated six months longer without some
Improvement being made In H. The road
f. In the hands OF receiver and is bonded
for SAL 600. Ii could not get money to
make further improvements unless this
ordinance was passed so the financial af-
fairs could be rearranged. X the service
was allowed 10 lapse the people owning
property out In that section OF the city
would be greatly damaged. Mr.. Gilman
said he spoke entirely In the interest of the
residents. without regard TO the interests
Of the company.
Mr.. Taylor, proprietor Of the Taylor mill.
spoke in favor of the ordinance IA did
also r. NJ. Muldoon and others.
+. J. Ware. stonecutter opposed the
ordinance on the ground that fifty years
was ieo hong period for franchise grant.
Ii the franchise was extended at all IL
should be for Only twenty-five years. and
there should be inserted a provision pro-
hlbiting the Importation OF foreigners to
construct the line at beggarly wages.
DIR. Chapman raised the point that the
franchise until within three years OF its
expiration, whereas the Yesler way fran
chise runs fifteen years yet.
y H. Piles. az attorney for the com
pany. replied to Or. Chapman that the
provision read related to franchises grant
ed In the future. ard not those in existence
at the time 81 the adoption OF the charter
II the ordinance was passed. Mr.. Piles
said. the legal phases would be settled in
the courts without any expense 10 the
city. Ii there was any valid objection 10
the ordinance. III Ii WAS considered weak
In any particular. II was the duty OF the
council 10 change II and make II perfect
His company meant business and was
ready to submit TO anything reasonable.
James Opposes the Ordinance.
James said he was opposed TO the oril-
nance because he believed the charter
provision was In the way. and that was
the reason he proposed an amendment to
that provision. His second objection
was that he was opposed TO the Judiciary
operating as a construction company. He
was opposed &c the courts operating rail-
roads Of any kind. Another point urged
by Mr.. James was that the road is bur-
dened with debt. lie thought IL would he
a good deal better to have the Indebted
hess wiped cat before seeking a new fran
ehise The property should be taken out
OF the hands Of the court first. There
should also be provision for transfers.
Navin opposed the ordinance for reasons
similar 10 those OF Mr. James Navln
went into the history Of the extension or
the Second avenue franchise and said that
the council WIS held ap on that OCCASION
bat IL could not be- held up now. lie was
in fayor 81 municipal ownership.
On motion OF AIR. Rudy the ordinance
was referred 20 the corporation counsel for
an opinion as TO whether Il was in con-
trayention OF the city charter and wheth-
err under its provisions the council would
have power 90 regulate the rate OF fare.
Nsvta's single Tax Argument.
The ordinance providing for granting IL
censes 20 hotels and lodging houses gave
Councilman Navia "A chance 10 make a
single tax argument in opposition to IT,
When the ordinance was read. Mr.. Navin
said n looked as though u was the inten-
tion 70 pass e without any discussion but
he proposed 10 say something against IL
President Pro Tom ellison. who WIS In
the chair. remarked that he had supposed
Mr. NaVin had talked enough on The sub
teet the past three weeks.
Mir Nayin said he thought the landlords.
and rot the hotel men. should bear the ex-
pcnse at taking care of the influx Of pee-
PIE here as the former ware tho ones who
were being benefited by thc klondike *
eltctnent
After Mr.. Navin finished, the or,ii-
narce Was passed by a vote OF ? "a 4. Nc
Ar,i!e. Navla. Rude and Raymond voting
against q.
The ordinance simply provides that all