The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-07-30


old harbor area. over which the
state has claimed and stiil claims juris-
dlc,ion and control. has been wiped out
wholly or In part throughout its entire
course and that the government has es-
tabiished new outer harhor itne. be-
yond which II viii be unlawful for
wharvcs, etc. TO he erected.
OF great significance 10 seattle and the
commerce OF this city IL the action of
Secretary Aiger. In brief. the secretary,
by a stroke Of hts pen. placed the outer
harbcr line where the inner line formerly
stood. In front OF some OF the most value
able water front properties In the city.
namely. those owned by the Northern
Pacific. the Pacific ceast CosnpAny.s Atns-
worth n Dunn and the Great Northern.
These dock owners will be- relieved Of the
necessity Of renting strip OF salt water
varying from thirty-fvs 10 sixty feet
deep at low water. or on the other hand
OF buiiaing out TO the outer line 70 pre-
vent others from obstructing the front Of
the docks
Ii has been two years since the large
holders OF water front property and docks
In this city began quiet agitation for
relocation OF the barber lines of Elliott
bay. an established by the state board Of
tide land commissioners and approved BY
Secretary Of War Dan Lamont. The Pa
cifc Coast Company. then the Oregon
Improvement Company: the Northern
Pacific. Great Northern. Ainsworsh 4
Dunn. J. NJ. Coiman. Capt. d A. Gilmore
and other persons and corporations own
ing improvements on the water front. pc-
titioned Secretary Aiger to re-estAblish
the lines. They asked to have the outer
tine brought closer In To shore. so ~ 10
conform as near az possible To an aver
age depth at low water OF thirty i've feet
or thereabouts. Judge Thomas Burke,
n. s. Grosscur. g. VI. Piles. G. J. Smith
and r. r. Ainsworth were among the
weli-knewn men whp were prominent In
the movement.
Referred 60 . board.
The petition was referred to hoard Of
United States engineers. with instructions
10 investigate the matter. take testimony
and file a report with Recommendations
witt, the secretary az war. Mai. r. Fisie.
of Portland. WAS chairman OF the boaru.
and Capt Taylor. OF this city. Was 4
member Of H. Fifteen months aeD the
board held an aIi-aay sisting In Can't.
l&SGGF - SIHES fH Una ftufkG Uust9tHHs tIHNs
ening 10 testimony. hearing arguments
for ard against the petition and examin-
Ing maps.
The Meeting was remarkable in the
fact that the state refused. through Land
Commissioner Bridges. 20 recognize the
Jurisdiction ~ the board or TO participate
In the meeting Mr. Bridges ard Mr..
jenkins. OF the board together with A.
aiTsmn, Attorney General Vance. wsre
present when the meeting was called
They protested against shs consideration
Of the matter at all. Mr.. rrif1es claim
Ing that as the secretary ~ war had ap-
proved OF the ioeation Of the harbor Itnss
his successor In office had DO right 20
change them.
~ that time the stsss law compelled
the dock owners 10 lease the portion Of
the state reserved area In frsnt OF thsgr
wharseS extending 80 deep water ~
per cent. per aunam on a basis Of the
valuation of the nbgtslnx property. Tho
Law provided that ttsa dock awners should
Improve the leased postipn By this erec-
tiof 81 docks. warehouses. etc. rs
The petitioners took exception to these