The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-11
SIDEWALKS MUST Be CLEAN.
NO MERCHANDISE ALLOWED ON
PUBLIC THOROCGHF ARES.
board OF Public Works Declares
War ON Storekeeaers Who nlock
the Streets-Nerchantx Take Re-

The board Of public works has declared
war against merchants who insis, on oe-
cupyinx the sidewalks with their goods.
wares. or in fact merchandise OF any de-
scr!ption. The board says that the side
walks must be clear. IL the combined ef-
forts of the entire police force are neces-
safy 20 enforce an ordinance recently
passed by the council covering the question.
Merchants are not the only ones who are
10 be- called 10 account. Even the boot
blacks and peanut vendors have tot es-
capped the vIgiiaut eyes OF the members O.
the board. While the members are taking
in hand the question Of keeping the side
walks free fer the accommodation of the
pubic. the merchants, against whom they
have declared war. have in turn turned
their batteries on the draymen and ex-
pressmen, who INSIST on allowing their ys-
htc.es 10 iemain IN front of stores.
n merry war Is EuW on and the result
VIII be looked forward 10 with interest.
as the merchants aver in anmistakable
terms that they are entitled 10 al least a
portion OF the sidewalk and the draymen
claim that under no circumstance viii they
be- driven cut OF business by being COM
PEELED 10 surrender their stands.
In a communication sent ~ Chief Of
Police Reed yesterday by the board OF
public works his attention was called 10
the alleged fragrant violation OF the ordi-
nance governing the use and occupation
CT the sidewalks, especially those on the
main thoroughfares such as First, Second
and Western avenues. The chief is told
that the merchants have evidently re-
moved large portion of their goods and
many of their clerks from the inside 10
the outside Of the stores. The letter says
that in many parts Of the city beer kegs
are piled up in front OF saloons In rows,
three and four feet deep. and many sa-
looms look as though they might be brew
cries. The chief Is also informed that the
commission merchants on Western avenue
evidently believe they have a mortgage
on the sidewalk, as 1t Is almost Impossible
for pedestrians 10 pass along The streec
at times. The board of public works.
while not intending any sarcasm. begs to
suggess TO the chief that the sidewalks
are the property of the city, and not the
property OF owners of abusting property.
The communication TO Chef Reed states
that the bOoIbiacks who have stands on
the sidewalks. as we'll as the peanut VEN
Gers whose establishments occupy similar
positions, are violating city ordinance
and must obtain other locations. The
board admits thai the bootbiacks and pea
nut sellers have In nearly every instance
obtained permits from the owners and &C.
cupants of the buildings. In front OF which
they carry on their humble business, but IL
is argued that the owners and occupants
have no legal right 10 issue such permits.
as the sidewalks are the property Of the
city. and not Of the owners of AUDITING
property.
Another matter which Is called to the at
tention OF Chief Reed by the hoard Is one
which is now receiving the attention of
the health departments of many Eastern
cities. 1t is claimed by the board that the
merchants of Seattle. as wen as others.
are in the habit Of dumping rubbish Of
every description on the streets, and that
the practice should not only be d.scou-
tinued as a measure 10 prevent sickness.
but to assist the street cleaning depart
ment in keeping the streets as clean as
possible.
After the board OF pubic works had
forwarded their communication 10 Chief
Reed, the owners and occupants OF build
ings on Cherry street put in an appear
anee at the city hall. with petition adj
dressed to Mayor Humes. The mayor il
asked 10 take immediate action looking
toward the adoption OF radical measures 10
prevent expressmeu and draymen from
allowing their vehicles to stand on that
street when not in use. The merchants
who presented the petition said that SIM
Tar acton would be taken by the mer-
chants on other streets and that a gem
erai war would be waged against the ex-
pressmen and draymen who indulge in tho
practice
Several merchants who would be affect
ed by the enforcement OF the sidewalk
ordinance were interviewed by q Post
Intelilgencer reporter. One or them said:
THE enforcement OF this ordinance
would cost me lots of money and dent
believe that the board of public works Ia
acting wisely In asking Chief Reed 10
compel lls 70 keep all OF our goods OF the
insAae of our stores. ! would not be sur
Br.ssd II the merchants would all stand
together and refuse 70 comply with the
provisions OF tho ordinance. and IL neccs-
sary test the legality OF the measure"
The draymen say that they viii not he
driven out OF business by being com
PEELED 10 20 10 a back street, while the
hootblacks and peanut vendors viii doubt
less ABIDE by the decision OF the police
department.