The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-10-20

iA,CMA, OCT ls-PreSidenf MelIen, OF
the Northern Pacific, has outlined impor-
tant improvements which he will order
commenced at Seattle before he starts
East. providing he fails. as now seems
likely, 10 purchase a large tract of Ia
coma tide flats of the Tacoma Land Conn.,
pany at what he deems reasonable
price. Mr.. Meiien said:
Our terminal facilities are stiil made
quate as shown by the fact that loaded
wheat cars are now stretched from here
10 spokane We cannot wait and are NOT
going to. Before | go East l shall order
new warehouses and coal bunkers con-
structed at once at either Seattle or Ta-
coma. Much Of our shipping business Is
centered here, and IL Will be cheaper to
continue the concentration here II pos
sihle. That does not now seem probable
for we haven't the necessary land here
and the stockholders In the Tacoma Land
company are dlsinclined to sell us the
land we need. However we have water
front property In Seattle which will suit
our needs. We have an application from
another very large grain exporting firm
bunkers are also needed for Roslyn coal.
We are not inclined 10 build these on. this
side OF the channel at Tacoma. because II
would be increasing the fire risk. and the
city Is affording no fire protection for the
warehouses already built.
Dockage Is Needed.
"Our facilities have become too small
to provide sufficient dockage for transient
vessels. For these reasons. II we are
unable 10 get the needed land here. we
must 20 to Seattle. and our ocean ship
ping business viii In future be divided
between Tacoma and Seattle. Our new
Hence we cannot wait for any govern
rnent dredging, but shall do our own
dredging when necessary.
What We would like 10 do is TO get
out OF the Tacoma Land Company. In
which We are minority stockholder.
our interest came 70 us from tho old
bankrupt Tacoma Railroad Company. We
prefer to exchange our stock for land.
but there are numerous interests In the
land company which are slow 10 act.
while We require immediate action. We
do not consider the tide lands very valu-
able. since buying them is buying only
the right to make land OF them.
our projected improvements will re-
duire the expenditure OF at least a quar-
ter million dollars at Tacoma or Seattle
during the next year"
The tide fats referred to consist Of
several hundred acres lying between the
city channel and the ST Paul mill prop
crty. A commencement at filling them
was made this summer from the channel
Ia front OF the new warehouses
WhereNer the warehouses and hunkers
are built at least three more big new
docks are 20 be built by the railroad at
Seattle.
To Meet in seattle.
Presidents Melien. of the Northern
ern will meet In Seattle next week
to discuss matters Of mutual inter
est which they have been unable to
confer on az ST. Paul President Mcllen
said tonight that their appointment had
nothing whatever 90 do with any depot
proposition az Seattle, The depot gnes-
;ion. he went on 20 say. is entirely dead.
so far as the Northern Pacific building
one ~ concerned He stili thinks that
seattle treated him shahbily when he was
terest charge on half a million dollars
there II sentiment has changed and the
people there actually wanted a Northern
Pacific depot. they would probably get
ono, since tho railroad appreciated Seat
ties importance as a coming great city.
and was DESTROYS Of pleasing the people
there. SSattie's action, however, had
benefited the railroad hy saving the in
tercst charge IN half milton dollars
that would otherwise have been spent
there This saving was especially timely,
since the Eastern crop failure would re-
dace earnings this year
So far ss he Is concerned, he saii, Ta-
coma Is iikely 20 have new depot be-
fore seattle. vet there Is no immediate
ukriihoosl ~ a nsw depot here for tho
grade crossing 81 Pacific avenue ts gn-
satisfactory "a both railroad and city. and
must hc changed II engineers can fad
a way ~ doing H.
Referring aERin 20 Seattie's depot prop
,s,tton. President Melisu said that Fresi-
dent EiaI r. swing to build DEPOT there:
AZ lsast he has promised 20. In that
event the Northern Psclfsc may occupy
n with the Great Northern, Y invited IN,
and the depot Is satisfactory.
However, the Great Northern has rot
ascurea the Sorthefn Paciac's land south
~ Klng street. anA he does not see how
Il is going %,
tnion raelac Plans,
Asked REGARDING the probability 81 the
rrnlau Pacific coming 20 snr Sound over
ne Portland Vine. Presidset Melien said
.sf.he neGetiasicms in that dir.etleu are
.tgl II, ura1rcss Tho Cnlon Pacific re1-
- havs eafa they SAINT 20 come. and we
ksva offered them tfAckage but lars.
S-staa move staaiy. and she time % their
'es-,f,z IL uncertain. IhEy may act In
1ixFx aavs parh2ps uot Tor six months
~ ,S,0re but I believe they Nltl come g
,br sound within tire ncNf year THIS -
a mater which l believe VII move more
5,,irxiv the iess there Is SAID about it,
Mr. Mellen's prospective removal pf the
ra~sde avenue grade crossing Nti cause
sa,,e s,tr-,rfse here The grade there q
,sv,. heavy. and emphasizes the dlfticul-
~ ~ getting into and out of Tacoma ~
rs3lroaa nv any available routr. Which
President Hfli, OF the Great Northern,
aairtsa out in an interview here "a 1855
Represrntat tlons have been made 90 Mr..
Mellcn that the growth of business. on
south Pacific avenue has been retarded