The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-09-01
FERRY SERVICE ACCOUNTS.
REPORT OF KING CoUNTY's BusT-
NESS on THE LAKE.
Already Paying Large Proportion OF
Operating Expenses-PassenRe
and Freight TariRs steamer

The ferryboat King County. which is
now making daily trips between Madison
street and Kirkland on Lake Washing
ton. has been In operation for period OF
about three months. The ferry was frst
opened to the public on June IL. and con-
tinued to run until July 8. On that date
litigation in which the boat was con-
cerned caused her to be tied up until
July %. when the run was resumed. ana
has been uninterrupted TO the present
time
r. w Wood clerk OF the board OF
county commissioners yesterday were
through the daily reports of the purser,
and made a calculation on which TO base
figures as TO averages and extremes. 1t
was found that IN the fifty-four days dur
ing which the ferry has been operated a
total OF s7Ss75 has been collected The
least amount paid in on any one day was
$50, and the highest single day was
s101s0. This latter figure was reached on
the day OF the hotel keepers picnic at
East Seattle, when the boat was not on
her regular run. An average was taken,
showing that the average income Is
about $3.50
This amount, while fully UP TO the ex-
pectations OF the commissioners Is not
equal to the expenditures. 1t IL said by
Mr.. Wood that about $40 is necessary to
pay all the expenses of day. The exact
figures cannot be given at this time. as
no calculations have been made since the
boat began running regularly 1t is
known that about one and one-half cords
OF wood are necessary each day. sew
en- men are employed on and about the
boat. Aside from the expense OF wages
and fuel the amount necessary for main
tendance Is very small.
A tarin has been arranged for freight,
varying from charge OF 81 for a heavy
two-horse truck with driver, to 10 cents
for single small articles. In instances
noted on the prepared schedule the purser
OF the boat IL empowered TO Ak the tariff
OF the receipts noted. large proper
ton is for freight; The largest receipts
for a single days. freight business is
500. the smallest 70 cents. An average
for the freight receipts Is about s21o
The passenger tariff Is fixed at 10 cents
for a single trip or Is cents for the round
trip. Tickets are sold to regular pa
irons at a slight Communication OF these
The business Of the boat IL carried on
sfoners, who require vouchers for each
Item of expense The purser also rem
ders daily report slip Of receipts and
these slips are on file with the clerk of
the board.
Mr.. Wood IA working on a new sched-
ule for the King County. which will prob
ably be completed within n day or two.
No change will be. made in the number
Of trips, but the hours will he altered
slightly so as to better accommodate the
traffic
As is well understood BY the taxpay-
ers, II Ia not and never has been the In
tention OF the commissioners to make
money out OF the King County. She was
put on the run for the reason that the
people Of Kirkland needed means OF COM
munication with the city. and were
greatly hindered In the transaction Of
their business affairs by their inability to
reach the city easily.
:. The ferry Is well patronixed by those
living at Kirkland. and II Is beyond ques-
tion proving n great factor in the devel-
opment OF that portion OF the county. The
Increase in daily receipts, while slight,
IL steady. and present indications point
to a self-supporting ferry before many
months. and a money-maker In time.