The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-31


The Northern Pacific's Proposition.
The Post-Intelligencer gives up I
large portion Of IT. space this morning
to the presentation, illustration ana dis
cuasion Of the concessions asked by the
Northern Pacific Railway Company as
: condition Or extensive terminal i'm
provements that It proposes to make
here. "A calm investigation and dispas-
sionate4 estimate OF their advantages
and disadvantages are all-important.
The people Of Seattle desire to UNDER
stand the situation. and the reasons for
ana against the ordinances now before
the council. The councilmen themselves
wish free expression Of public opinion
to guide them. The time has come when
this question should be taken UP with
out heat and without prejudice. The
issue before the public is not what
would please or profit any man or any
corporation. We must put away all
thought Of what this or that man or
company will say or do in either event.
The sole consideration should be to as
certain ana do what is for the best
interest of Seattle. present and future.
The Northern Pacific Company offers
to construct near the water front. in the
business heart Of the city, handsome
passenger station, at cost Of 100000.
and freight building Is by about $50
feet, on property that 1t has acquired
for this purpose. It asks the vacation
Of certain streets and portions Of streets
to accommodate it's plans. The details
OF the arrangement are given, with
ample explanations, in our news col
umns this morning. Is 1t one which the
representatives of the city should ap-
prove? II win be great present adj
vantage to have these extensive i'm
provements made as substitute for the
inadequate and disgraceful facilities for
handling passenger business now in use.
On the other hand, we must consider
the value. present and prospective, of
the water front, and the Importance of
keeping unobstructed the access of the
city's business to Its docks and wharves.
II we are to have but moderate
growth, the question is not vital. If, as
we hope and believe, this is to become
the first city on our coast and the entire
pot of foreign trade rivaling that of
New York, we cannot guard too care
fully our commercial facilities or pre-
serve too jealously such rights as we
have not already given up on our water
front.
The desirable features of the North
ern Pacifc's proposition are many The
objections to It lie equally clear upon
its face. And as to these, we think
that this broad. general rule should
govern: no new privileges or concessions
should be granted to any applicant that
do not leave the city of Seattle In
position substantially as favorable for
the transaction and expansion of it's
business as that which 1t now occu-
pies. The plans, In their entirety, con-
template practically closing Columbia
street, since neither foot nor wheeled
travel can pass safely in volume over
thirteen lines Of track In actual use
On lower Marion street there would be
no passage at all for vehicles, but a
new and safe route for foot-trah1c
through the proposed subway. Post
street would be made fine. wide thor
oughfare. but Spring and Seneca would
be vacated. From the incline at Uni
versity street to Yesler way at least,
teams would have passage to the water
front only at Madison street, and there
one track on each side would be added
to those now In use.
This stretch along the sea line is al
ready too hampered, has been too far
surrendered. II we grant other rights
there: It should be only for an equiva-
lent and only under conditions that will
secure freedom OF entrance to other APP
plicants hereafter We should not block
aA-aission to the water front. We