The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1920-07-15
LINDEN CLUB TALKS
OVER PORT ELECTION
Proposal Discussed Here; Committee
Presents Information About Plan
and Benefits
and Benefits

The LINDEN Community CLUB dis
cussed the proposed port election to
be held in the county September IA,
at its meeting Monday night, and en-
deavored to study the question in ref
erence to the needs of the Lynden
district
en-. as definite information CONCERN
ing the plan was lacking.
To supply these facts, the Beiling-
ham port committee today submitted
the following statement concerning
the election:
Private and public discussion of
the proposal to organize Port Dis
trict in Whatcom County with view
towards the development of trade
and commerce have brought to light
three great obstacles, each of which
I is based on misunderstanding or
lack Of information and on which II
Is the desire of those favOring the
project to throw the dearest possible
light These troublesome points are,
First: A misconception as to Just
exactly what is involved in the cleo
ton to be held on September IA.
/ Second. The prevalent belief that
the costs of harbor improvement will
be distributed equally throughout
the city and county, whereas the ben
efts aceruing from such improve
ments will be shared unequally; that
is to say, those who own property sit
uated in The vicinity of the proposed
improvements will be the main bene-
ficiaries. while others. more remote
will share TO a lessening degree. pro-
portionate to distance and so forth.
Thus. generally speaking. residents
and businessmen of Bellingham
would derive more good than farm
ers and rural residents. although the
cost to all would be proportionately
the same.
Third: That in the event of the
district being authorized. the whole
plan may possibly prove abortive thru
lack OF trade.
With regard TO the first point, all
that is involved in the September IA
election is the authorize ton of the
Port District, and the election of 3
Port Commissioners, one from each
county commissioner district. If the
port district is authorized. two mill
levy can be made for the sole pur-
pose Of drawing up and submitting
to the voters a comprehensive plan
of harbar improvement which the
voter of the district may authorize
or rs;ect at an election 10 be called
laltr. The proceeds OF this two mill
low can be used fol no other purpose
than that of meeting preliminary ex-
penses and not cents worth of
nrCna.ty can be bought or improve
tnent work done until a second cleo
ton has been called and held at some
date to be fixed later on.
The general impression that the
Saptemtsr Il election will permit
the commissioners TO go ahead with
construction work, acquire property,
build docks or anything of that sort
is entirely erroneous. A second cleo
ton must be held to authorize any
Improvement work whatever.
With regard to the second point
tha, those nearest the Improvement
will derive tie hons share &C benefit
nile the cost in city and cout% will
be propertionately the ssme-thls.
too is a complete misunder standing
o. what vii take place in event of the
Port District being authorized.
To begin with. any person may en-
ter the race for commissioner in much
after the style of elections Involving
The selection of county com mission