The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-10-16

Der OF Commerce, having charge OF the
matter his willingness to indefinitely
postpone the proposed sale of the Lake
Washington shore lands. set for Novem-
Der Is. Mr.. Bridges further stated, how
ever, that he doubted his authority TO
make such a posiponement. when appli-
cation for the purchase OF the land had
been entered. but offered his assistance
in devising some way to legally effect
the delay
Several ways for accomplishing this
were suggested. the one finding most
favor being that a formaf request for de-
lay prepared by Capt Harry Taylor or
some other official of the federal govern
ment and filed with the state government
but no action was taken. Mr.. Bridges
Will again meet the committee and Capt
Taylor in this city Saturday afternoon,
and IL Is hoped at that time 10 devise
some definite plan OF action.
The reason for the general public de-
sire TO prevent further sales OF the Lake
Washington shore lands II that no pri-
vate claims for damages may arise from
the lowering OF the lake. should the plan
OF constructing the canal without lock
be adopted by the government Capt.
Harry Taylor. the government engineer
now preparing plans for the construction
OF the canal Will recommend that the
canal be without a lock between Lakes
Union and Washington. an arrangement
which would result i'm lowering the latter
body approximately seven feet. II has
been feared. however that this lowering
would cause damage claims 20 be pre-
sented by owners OF shore lands on Lake
Washington. fact which would be fatal
to the scheme. as the appropriation Tor
the canal makes no provision for meet
Ing damage claims.
state TO Assign Claims.
The state now owns practically all the
shore lands and Capt. TAYLOR and the
Seattle business men interested In the pro-
posed lowering believe that the iegisla-
ture. when II meets In January. will pass
a resolution making an assignment Of all
claims for damages on the part Of the
state Such an assignment would end the
the difficulty over the damage question
and would probably result In the adoption
Of Capt TayIor's plan. There IL danger
however. that when the legislature meets
the assignment OF damages Will not be
the states TO give. as the Lake Washing
ton shore lands-err advertfsed fo-he GOLD
Noyszrbrr r. To prevent this sale. whfcn-
would make the proposed lowering Of the
lake an impossibflty. Cart. Taylor and
the members OF the Chamber OF Com
merce committee are now making a de-
termined effort.
Mr.. Bridges was invited to ascear be-
fore the committee yesterady afternoon
and Join in Discussion OF ways and
means for saossrfrg the lowering OF Lake
-Washtuvton, and especially the postpone
ment OF the proposed sale OF the shore
lands.
The members OF the committee preser.
were n 3 Greene. Daniel Jones. W, r.
Ballard and Capt. A. Y. Wyckon. Judge
Burke Is also on the committee. but was
unable 20 be present In addition 10 Mr.
Bridges and Capt. TAYLOR. number OF
business men interested In the matter,
were present at the meeting In the as
sembiy room OF the Chamber Of Com
merce.
Mr.. Bridges stated that his presence
before the committee was To explain his
position in regard 10 the postponement
Of the prnnosed sale. He said.
AS TO he sale Of these shore lands by
the state | have no discretionary pow
ers I have no right 10 refuse an appli-
cation for their purchase and when such
an application Is made ] must advertise
them Tor sale.
'sror me 20 refuse 10 offer the lands
for sale - out of the question. hut a. the
delay r. desired on 50 important prop
oSlfInr, believe II can be secured through
the United States government or some
Of It's officials I would suggest that the
matter be referred 20 the federal depart
ment Of Justice and that communication
BE- drafted and forwarded 20 the state
government asking consent 70 the lower
ing Of the water. with waiver Of any
damages that might arise from such low
sring, and that no further applications on,
action upon this application has been
taken Such a communication presented
through the regular channels would form
ample grounds for post punlne r0neidera-
tlon OF any applications 20 purchase the
lands II the COMMITTEES can iuduce the
government officials 20 take such
course. all action % the state ofneiais IN
regard 20 the matter viii be suspended.
King County. Interest.
king county has certain rights 20 ne
considered before a decision l. made
stopping al sales The commissioners
have gone - the expense ~ haytns
ylas made ~ the shore lands at the foot
~ Madison street, and now have IN an
aaniieatlen FOR tho tract plated n ls
the intention 20 use this a. landing
place for fhe ferry. thu street railway
company. which oWns thc adjacent Prop
erfy. having attempted what the com-
plsslansrs term q huidup gauS
'srha state land commits slgnsrR haze
promised 20 heip King connty IN tAis
matter and feel that y Il necessary 20
either secure some kind q an adjust
ment between fhe street railway com
atny ARD KlnK county OF ailew TIE roWn-
IL 10 have title % the shore ian3s n
question The business men % Seattle
should ~ shle 90 Influence the street
rAltwRv cefrpAny into TakinE soma Kind
~ 4 concession that VIII he satisfactory
70 Elpx county and srevcui me neeesssity
"a
ths possession % TIE state
4 am wsiAng % cooperate with yoa IN
every possible way - secure the lover
ing 81 Lake Washington. hut hsliave
me rixh;s - 81 psrs'es in inteTes.
should " respected
~ shs conclusion - Mr. nzidges state
snent tsaes present inssTmHlly discussed
ne proposed iowsrinE - the lake. the
nsrass5tv fsr securing pastpanement q
fhe sale ~ ghs shore lands au3 the beat
method far aFTanElng this nQstpaueanTnr
Caaf HarFy taylor. the engineer IN
charge. sugEesied shst hs write 90 she
secretary az War anA ask that a com
nunicatlon ~ sent e. ne state a6wiuss-
fr1fh4n requesting that 10 sales - made
untU he stare rhA granted ths waiver u
damages Tt was also proposed That hr.
a. government official. make s8ch re-
I assst direct 20 the state Standardization.
cast TAYLOR eEld that De Doubted
whether any damage suits wouid result
| sronr ne lnwergnR Tie had asked Dis-
,r5et Attorney Gay for legal pp3Eisn
| should Ne decide ma, no damage could
v,ossEhly result. no assignment from the
/ stnte Of any other shore land owner