The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1915-12-01
REPORT
STRIKES A SNAC
Municipal League Committees
Work Attacked az
Unfair
w. ID. LANE OPPOSES IT

Determined opposition TO the re-.
port OF tho Municipal league,
which recommends adoption OF the
comprehensive scheme for public
belt line. but opposes transferring
funds with which 10 build f.. de.
veloped at the league meeting Tues.
day afternoon at the Washington
Annex.
so determined was the opposition
that no action was taken on the
report. but a postcard referendum
among members was started.
w. d. Lane. member ~ the last
legislature. attacked this move on
the ground that II was unfair
lie declared that only one aide
OF the case had been presented IN
the Seattle Municipal News. organ
of the league. and that the News
had commented editorially IN oppo-
sitiou 10 tie belt line. lie pointed
out that n majority OF league mem
bera do not attend meetings and
hence depend on the News for n
reflection OF league action.
Lane. vivian Carkeek. and DR.
Herman c. lirauer, chief OF the
division of municipal research AZ
tho university. all spoke 10 opposi.
ton 30 the report
Congressman J. W Bryan moved
TO recommit Il. former Mayor
George y. Cotterill moved 20
amend II. and Port Attorney c. J.
France moved for n vote on II by
those present President Wright
ruled all three out Of order.
The meeting adjourned with no
action being taken.
Carkeek. IN his talk, told o, the
splendid success OF the New Or.
leans belt line. owned By the port.
and Of the statement by the New
Orleans commissioners that the
belt line Was vital factor in the
ports development
Dr Hraner wanted IN know how
long the league proposed 20 wal,
for the railroads 20 act. lie de-
clared that the higher they are
capitalized the higher tho water.
front rates will be. II they continue
10 dominate the front.
Lane commented thuR on the re.
porte advising them 70 wait
and see II the railroads won't may.
be do something
We may say with hardly \ pos.
sibillty OF error that the railroads
will be guided BY their own inter.
entn We need not expect that they
will voluntarily surrender valuable
franchise privileges which they
now toll us would cost LH millions
OF dollars TO regain. or that they
will modify them IN such way hs
Ia diminish their profits"
lie told 81 the port commissions
threeycar struggle 10 get the rsii.
roads 20 do something
How long are we TO wait while
our public facilities are being ham.
pered by unreasonable and uureg
uiated switching charges1- he
asked The railroads VIII do
nothing for our relief. 81 least not
before We have shown that We in.
tegd 10 have our osn terminal kys.
tenn. and 10 the consirnrti5n OF this
first unit. connecting the water.
ffont properties shaii have the ef.
feet % making the railroads FRO.
vide US with proper terminal fAClli.
ties and with reasonable rates. II
will be money well expended. n
wc never 70 farther Il Is highly de-
slrsble that our docks on the WI.
terfron; be connected BY rail. IN
order 20 facilitate tho exchange OF
business between them"
A letter was read from former !
Port Commissioner Chittender. IN |
which he opposes transfer Of tho |
funds for the belt lines construc.
ton. in contradiction 10 his former |
attitude,