The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-01-22
CITY OFFICIAL PAPER.
SEATTLE, SATURDAY. JAN. %.


RAILROAD RIVALRY DESIRABLE.
So rapidly do events succeed each
other In Seattle that the people have
scarcely time TO realize. how much Is
being accomplished. There has been
a rapid succession of events In this city
within the past few months. any one
OF which would year ago have been
considered a great stride In our pro-
eress.
The determination Of the government
To- locate an army post at Magnolia
bluff was one Of the first links In the
chain OF good fortune forged from day
In day since that time. The announce
ment made yesterday that the Centen-
NAL Mil Company had decided to
double it's capacity would have almost
set us wild with rejoicing year ago.
The arrival OF a steamer from Japan
10 load cotton would have marked a
red-letter day in our calendar; now
steamers to the Orient come and go
and no notice is taken.
The purchase. for that is what it prac-
tically amounts to- of the Seattle, Lake
Shore and Eastern by the Northern
Pacific would have been a very notable
event, but its capture by the Great
Northern would have been hailed with
the firing of cannon. The announce
ment that snoqualmie falls would be
utilized for power was only days
wonder Two years ago We almost lived
on the prospect of that enterprise going
through.
II IS unnecessary To speak OF the
klondike. The business resulting from
that would have made an appreciable
difference even IN New York That,
however. must be TO great extent
temporary. at least as To the magni-
tude the traffic will assume during the
next two or three months
II is sueh transactions as the pur-
chase of the Seattle and International
by a transcantinental road which is to
aid 80 greatly In the ultimate develop
ment Of our traffic. The railroad situ-
alton has never been entirely satisfac-
tory. One transeoutinental road comes
In from the north and another from the
south. As the area over which rail-
road lines car pass through the BUSH
ness district is limited. this approach
a. the two lines from different direc-
tons Il an advantage. In order 10
reach the shipping railroads must run
along tue water front. For trat pun
pose railroad avenue was created. but
Il cannot he videneG very wen because
tie property 10 the east of II is held
~ private individuals ano is very val
aahie, while to the west. the space he
tween The avenue and deep water Is so
narrow that docks caEnct be extended
in that direction.
Railroad avenue is divided between
three roaSs. The Portland and Puget
Sound railroad, which Is practically
The Norther- Pacific. oceGpies rixht-of-
way on the outer or western margin.
Then comes the Great Northerf tracks.
ard then the Seattle. Lake Shore and
Eastern. When President I'm was
asking for a readtustmen, ~ Railroad
avenue a few years ago surprise was
oppressed by member OK the council
or that day that flin was no. satisfied
With the sixty feet az space ACCORDED,
him. Mr.. Hin replied that he hoped to
1--we 70 see the day when re would need
g, least twice IS many tracks as ne
Aaa then. ana that ne Was going 10 he
disappointed IN his calculations II Sc
at3e dii got arrive at stage when
3, would Wish II could have given him
:our 7r Ave times The width
The acquisition by the Great North
eru - The Seattle. Lake Shore ard
Eastern rlshi-of~way would enable I'm
r. carry oGt sans os his plans. The
if'is local road cid Us royal service In
igs DAY. bat SIS usefulness as an tn
dependent Tire has departed Any ether
rssaas coming in must look 20 the south
81 TIE city tor 81 entrance and yard
room. The narrow strip ownc. by this
Inc would he % very ii;sle service TO a
continental read. The reason why Sc
attic has always encouraged its separ-
ate existence. and also gave the right
of-wav &c the Portland ard Puget
Sound. was that they might be used as
foils. hy which a union lire could be
termed over whose tracks all railroads
might pass. This wise purpose must
not be lost sight OF. Every encourage
mens should be given TO the railroads.