The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-01-14
KNOW
WHAT THEY
WANT
REJECT EXPENSIVE ENGINEER
PLAN TO SETTLE GRADE
SEPARATION AND DEMAND
THAT STREETS BE LEFT
OPEN.

refused to consider proposition
of the 1000 club that the city
hire an engineer of international
justing the company's tracks
through the city.
Property holders were unable to
discern where the expense of such
service would be justified, espe-
cially since there were no means
of binding the company to accept
such plans even were they perfect
ly satisfactory to property owners
interested. The cost of such an en-
gineer would be enormous and it is
difficult to see by what process the
club justified such action. In addi-
ton to these objections the proper
ty owners feel certain that they
could decide how they wanted the
company to establish it's trackage
without expert and experienced ad
vice.
Aside from this no definite re-
suit was accomplished last night,
aside from the opportunity afforded
for an expression of sentiment.
This sentiment was unanimous for
open streets where the company
proposes to close them in elevating
it's tracks.
On behalf of the company, E. J.
Cannon substituted an attitude of
technical explanation and objec-
ton for his previous one of de-
fiance.
For short space of time his at
titude was belligerent because Of
dislike to w. B. Roberts, at whose
behest the gathering was there. On
account of this attitude he started
to prolong the session so that lit
tie time could be given to the main
questionable leaving open of
Browne st.-by interrogating each
one of the citizens as to his name
and what property interest he held.
Judge Poindexter forestalled the
railroad attorney by Directing to
the procedure. Mr.. Cannon then
asked all those whose interests
would be effected to rise, and only
four people remained seated. But
the Browne st. topic was again
sidestepped. Instead of tackling it
; at once, it was 8 o'clock before the
attorney finally reached it. He be-
gan, with the assistance Of the
maps, to outline the grade separa-
ton plans fro mthe west, working
east until Washington st. was
reached. He then adopted another
course and drew attention to the
fact that during his three years
residence here he has witnessed
; the funerals of five small children
who were ground under the wheals
Of the trains on account of the dan
gers caused by the tracks being on
the present grade.
"At the rate | am asked to make
concessions to the city," Cannon
said, at will cost $4,000 a day.
The very most | have been able to
get out of the company for changes
is $4,000 and we must keep within
this limit. The project will re-
quire an expense of about $780,
600. About 1,400 Of your people
, are now on our payroll and the
work will necessitate still greater
payrolls."
Mr.. Cannon reached Browne ST.
by referring to the dangers of the
kind of Orders that would be nee
essary were Browne ST. to be left
open. He still held to the theory
that it would be impossible to open
Browne st. and do away with the
very dangers the company intends
doing away with by grade separa-
ton. The depot will be moved
nearer to Division ST. and will cost
about 100000. Twelve tracks are
planned to pass in front of it. W.
H. Ludden led the fight for open
streets. The road proposes to close
Third. Oak, Cedar, Ash, Browne
and Bernard.
Judge Miles Poindexter grasped
the drift Of the meeting when he
said that the citizens were not yet
ready to go into the minute de.
tails. Some repartee passed be-
tween Attorney w. l.. Ludden, W.
B. Roberts and the railroad man
but at no time did the discussion
wax warm. Neither side seemed
to have gained any points The
OHly tWO COuuClllucH pT6SeIl were
N. S. Pratt and Capt. John Gray.
Neither one took part in the dis
cussions.
w. B. Roberts made the principal
talk when he called the meeting to
order. He said that ever since he
first made up his mind, he has been
opposed to grade separation and
that the only ideal way was to sink
the tracks. In this way no lives
would be lost and the property
rights of the people would be pro-
tected. No unsightly wall through
the city is desired. There was no
discussion as to whether concrete
wall and steel trestles would be
used or sandbank and steel
trestles. The opposition stood for
the opening of all streets notwith'
standing the cost. Mr.. Canno made
no promises and the speakers did
not attempt to exact promises.
| About $50 o'clock MayOr Moore