Evening journal., 1918-07-11
Wharf PRIVILEGE IS
UNDER DISCUSSION
Councilmen Think Wilson
Line Uses Too Much of
Fourth st. Front
NO QUORUM so
ACTION IS DEFERRED

George t. Lyon, president OF City
Council, and James w. Robertson,
member OF Council, appeared before
the Park Commission yesterday after
noon and formally objected 10 the
practice OF the Wilson Line in moOrins
its boats along the bank OF the un-
leased portion Of the park land adloln-
ing Fourth street wharf. while other
boatmen are denied the same privilege.
Tho Wilson Line leases from the board
a strip Of Sc feet Of the park for $50 a
year, but has had their boats docked at
the wharf so that they extend about
two-thirds Of the way to the river
front bridge. past the end Of their strip
OF land. Although the matter was thor
oughly discussed. the absence Of a
quorum prevented action on the ques-
tion.
The members OF the board held that
It was only justice to the seambOat
company TO allow Il 10 continue the
practice. The members said that when
the strip Of wharf land was leased to
the Wilson Line, the lessees agreed TO
wharf 20 accommodate patrons Of the
park. which the company has done.
The company also agreed to have built.
with the help OF an appropriation by
the city, to meet part or the expense,
q concrete sea-wall, at a cost Of about
$4,000, and to build a pavilion at tho
place, the commissioners explained.
The money was never given by the
city, and so the project has not been
carried out. although Horace Wilson,
president OF the company. stated that
the company Is ready to build the
pavilion. The members held that while
all the park front has not been leased
10 the company. they felt that the
company was entitled 70 ifs use, and
thought that some concession should
be made by other boat owners desiring
10 moor az the place In consideration
OF the Wilson Line ferry boats trans
porting powderworkers at this time.
Mr.. Lyon said that he felt the public
was being imposed upon and remarked
on an incident that he heard 70 the ef-
feet that one man landed at the wharf
70 unload his boat. and when q VIII
son Line boat came into dock Captain
Wilson threatened to cut the other
mans boat loose n he did not leave.
This was not denied by Captain Wilson,
who, however, said that he would not
have carried out the threat had the
man refused TO leave In regard to a
statement made by a member OF he
hoard that the Wilson Line has placed
Milling 10 save the bank on the PARK
land. Mr.. Lyon declared that the pilinss
ara me most unreasonable things thal
ne has ever seen put up, and that they
should be cut of even with the grounu.
n me Wilson Line is to be given the
use OF the land. It should be properly
leased 70 them, the Councilmen asserted
The members OF the board knew very
uttle concerning the leasing or the DO
feet strip OF land 70 the Wilson Line.
ID appeared. They said that the land
had been leased directly 70 the steam
boat company until Mr.. Wilson sci tne
facts before the board. The property
wss leased by him from the railroad
company, which already held lease
from the park board, with the Doaru
consent. he explained.
Both Mr.. Lyon and Mr.. Robertson uS,
cIared that II they should ever te up !
boat AZ the park land they would reluse .s
"a move. even upon the demand OF ulo
Wilson Line. They were strongly op-
posed TO the practice OF the wilson
Line. ...,, occnnied
the greater portion OF the meetihs'