The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-10-27

The construction of combined railroad,
street car. wagon and foot bridge across
the tide flats is the latest plan for the
solution Of the transportation difficulties
OF the people OF West Seattle.
This plan was gradually evolved In the
course Of the general discussion OF the
subject at the meeting yesterday after
noon OF the manufactures and the streets,
roads and parks committees OF the Cham
Der OF Commerce, the committee from the
West Seattle Good Roads Club. and Couu-
cilmen James and Vincent and Street SUI
perintendent Little. OF the city govern
ment No definite action was taken by
the meeting, but each person present was
nominally constituted a committee of one
to investigate the feasibility and cost OF
such a structure and the possibility OF
securing the cooperation OF the city OF
Seattle. King county, the Seattle g. San
Francisco Railway and Navigation Com
pany Downing the present railway across
the tide fats, John Leary and associates.
who desire to construct street railway
TO West Seattle. the people and the prop
erty owners of West Seattle itself. and
the owners OF the tide lands through
which the road would pass, in jointly de-
fraying the heavy expense attached 70
such work. IL such cooperation can be
secured II Is believed the long roadway
can be constructed without forcing a
ton or individual.
An Informal Discussion.
H. r. elise. chairman OF the streets.
roads and parks committee. presided at
the meeting yesterday afternoon. About
twenty gentlemen were present, but there
was no attempt at formal discussion.
President q. Il. Nicoll. Of the West Sc
attic delegation, briefly stated the plans
for the bridge roadway along Railroad av-
10 n
south. and the matter was then taken
up In a general conversation In which all
participated.
The plan 10 assess the cost OF the road.
way against the tide lands facing on Rail-
road avenue was pronounced not feasible.
because of the low assessed value OF the
lands. II was then suggested by Super
intendent Little that portion OF the cost
be assessed against the abutting property
and that the remaining and larger portion
be raised by other means.
Councilman James expressed the opin-
ion that. most OF the benefit will be
to the property owners and residents OF
West Seattle the part OF the cost 10 come
from that source should be correspond
ingly large. AS West Seattle Is without
the assessment district limits. such a
contribution would necessarily be volun-
tary. The West Seattieites present ex-
pressed their willingness TO do their part,
and stated further that they believed the
land companies owning most OF the West
Seattle property would appreciate the ben
efits to he received and would be willing
TO contribute large portion OF the pro-
posed cost.
Attention was called 10 the fact that
the street railway franchise offered by
the city TO John Leary provides for the
construction of a trestle on Railroad av-
rnue and twenty-four-foot drawbridge
across the east waterway. This follows
the route desired for the roadway. and
cooperation between the two enterprises
was suggested. corporation which would
have the additional value OF securing the
Hx
a thing the city officials are not now dis
posed To regard as possible.
Cooperate with Railways.
II was suggested that the Seattle A.
San Francisco Railway s. Navigation
Company, which owns the only tres,le
now crossing the tide fats. might be is
duced TO move its line from IT'S present To-
cation on private property to Railroad
avenue, distance south OF about 500 feet,
and 70 then join In the construction of a
broad roadway with room for steam
railway track, an electric railway track.
a roadway and a sidewalk. Plans for Sc
curing such a removal occupied much on
the time Of the meeting
c. r. Fowler. OF the Puget Sound Bridge
and Dredging Company. stated that the
dredging OF the east waterway is now In
progress. and that Il will he matter OF
only few months when the reconsfrnc.
iion OF the present drawbriage IN the
struction will be very expensive. and he
expressed the belief that when confronted
BY II the railway company will be willing
20 enter a combination to construct a
wide roadway and a large draw
The railway trestic Is now across pri.
vate property. and to secure It's irnnnedI.
ate removal to Railroad avenue the sur
gesti0n was made that suits ~ ejeetrneni
he started by the owners 81 the propartv
apon which the tracks are trespssSine j
A. Moore. on behalf Of the Moore Invest
ment Company. which owns one ~ the
lots crossed. announced his intention Ia
enter such suit. similar action viii W.
taken by w. n. Hoflus 4 CO. ana Charles
w. Russell
The committees Will hold flstnrn rnen,.