The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-07-31
Changed HhRbOR LINES.
COMMISSIONER BRIDGES - PRE-
PARED TO FIGHT.
VIII Contest In Every Way the
Right Of the War Department TO
Interfere With state Lines and
Cut on Area state Might Lease.

OLYMPIA. July Se.-Isan3 Commissioner
Bridges has received information that the
ha.fo0r Ines at Seattle and Tacoma nave
been relocated by the war department. and
IL - al This point trouble commences He
states fBas s. viii refuse To recognize the
relocated line. and claims that the war de-
Iartnent has no Jurisdiction 70 relocate
tho haroor Line that nas once been sstab-
Eshsd BY the state and approved ~ the
war department, As soon il was learn
81 what the war Department. decision was
the Northern paclac and other corpora
tasns learned that Land Commissioner
Bridges would rot De bound by the de-
pafgmsnt's action, ard be was invited u q
conference with prestden, Maiien and 9TH
ar railway officials At Tacoma, This cen
ference took place on Friday night last.
MIR. Bgidges told agagn what his stand
WIS ard the result was that President
A@ilen agreed 10 make application for the
lease or the harnor area hts company
needs at Seattle and Tacoma, according
20 the states established lines OF iss3 Mr..
Meiien agreed 20 deposit the rental with
the stale. pending the final settlement of
the matter in the courts.
MI Bridges says ne il determined 10 fight
the relocation 20 the bitter end, he Is
unwilling the state shall lose one cent OF
what revenue rishttully belongs to IL
through what he states Is the fnAnipula-
ton of the railroads and other corpora
tons
lie said This department has had no
official notification from the war depart
ment OF tbs relocation OF The narecr line
or any piats showing the relocation of the
hAroor line fronting Seattle, nor the re-
Turn Of plats forwarded by this department
10 the war department showing location
of the harbor lines at Tacoma as original
ly established BY the state. The state has
been ignored in the matter although. what
IL peculiar the Northern Pacific now has
copies Of these piais as relocated and APP
proved Icy Secretary AlgeF.
From an examination Of these piats ]
find that In SEATTLE which has sixteen
mice OF harbor iins Na feet wide, as re-
located there ID no haroor area between
Jackson street and University street. q
distance of about half mile. This would
give the Northern Pacific absolute control
ii this water front. The outer harbor fine
10 made absolutely coinciaent with the
hnes Of these tide lands Al Smith cove.
~aere the Great Northern mas warehouses.
etc. the distance between haTbor lines Was
decreased from so - 10 feet. while con-
siderable q tho company's buildings stand
outside the outer harhor lire a}togs her.
The Pacific Coast Conpany's coal bunk
eFs are outside the relocated hne also. In
Tacoma. which has eighteen miles OF har-
huT tine for sRn aHa sac ait miles from
the old Tacoma SawFntli % the head NJ
Commencement bay. al Of tide lands being
I
hnFtor Inc has been abolished while the
remaining fifteen and oue-ha,f miles car
Fies 4 harher area - from TO- 10 5u feet.
ry the relocation u these haroor linss the
railroad companies are endeavnTing 70 1e-
pt5Ye ihe state % future revenue Tho
Northern Pacific has used such people IN
Seattle IS Moran Bros. Schwahacher
Ergs.. ih' Stetso0~Pozt Company, J. II.
C0iman Rni others who own property Oh
the ws1fer front % aid them in having the
relocation made, relocation which would
eSUgupt the Northern Pacific from paving
Te8tHi fer hsrhcr areas while fhe above
property owners VIII have to fGg their
reotai for the areas admitting en- the prop
ertY which they nog lease II The courts
sustain the relocation the Pacific Coast
EQTDFaRV'S bankers and many wharvfs Will
bc practically cut off
Il p{sl "a say that tae summary ~ tho
statement 81 facts forwarded q the war
department am by hlSn sent 10 the de-
part0Cus ~ 1tss. Eee Is erroneous false an!
mts}ea ling jU every particular Fur her.
that this statement ~ facts Was an *
Iartr statement. This department having n
opportunity 20 I've heard. The STATE land
department VII resist every step taken 20
u1lIfy fha sgir.t - fhe law - this state
ARA tA~ mandate 81 the constitution as at
fssiiHg hat oer areas As matter ~ fart.
thu iaSS ~ revenue - ihe STATE IL email
= compared - the sviIs ghaF would result
81 0NA8 enc railway compAu 81 contention
prove correct T. must tv apparent %
everyone that under those circurlsf anees
;hs, mosf unius' d5Scr,ntua tion woal4 he
% ihr laws ~ this state rave anticipated
Sft.s zss essf