Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1921-08-12

had led in opening up n system
OF transportation that would not
only be a convenience, a local
pride, but also reduced to the
cruel test of cold business, a
endeavor. Then
followed the contract for the
paved highway leading thereto,
Islanders watched the contract
let, watched the coming Of the
paving company, watched the
grading, watched the big trucks
and mixers at work, watched the
day the final shovel of cement
was spread and counted the days
that would intervene before it
would be finally opened.
Then their vision was dimmed
and their hearts sank within
them--for vague rumors We're
afoat that the ferry was to be
leased and the run changed to
Fauntleroy. The Seattle papers
played up the story. A resolu-
ton was dug up that was on
file with the board of County
Commissioners outlining the leas-
ing proposition, and sad to say
something about the ferry land
ing somewhere between Three
Tree Point and the city. The
fat was in the fire, the people
were moping around for a few
days almost in tears, and then
the sober second thought came
and they were mad. Not angry,
just mad!
Such a plan would mean a
set back for the island Of many
years. 1t would mean no move
mcnt in our lands. 1t would
mean much higher freight and
passenger rates to and from the
city. 1t would mean a fine pave
mcnt, but no one riding over it.
1t would mean a modern dock at
the Heights, with but little use.
The dock bridge would become
the haunt of the ghosts of past
activity, the dock house would
be the dwelling place of bats
and owls, and over the face of
the slip, the spiders would weave
their webs.
Because the people ..will not
travel by way of Fauntleroy. 1t
would be mgging of the baby
to the ferry, off the ferry, wait
for street car and board it,
hang on to strap, and finally
get off, to be run over by a
thousand autos going and coming
in all directions. Trucks wouldn t
patronize it, because of the big
hill to climb. Business and pro-
fGssional men wouldn't patron
ize it, because it would mean
delay and anxiety every night
and morning, and that disquiet-
ing feeling of anxiety at catch
ing a street car which tired out
men wish to avoid.
No one will complain about
who runs the ferry, nor what is
charged, within reason, but the
island does insist on a through
service, and is going down the
line on such an out-and-out
policy.
The people who live on the is
land must have some way to get
to Seattle. 1t is a question
whether they wish to get on the
ferry at the dock and get off in
the heart of the city, and pay
what is a reasonable fare for
such transportation, or whether
they wish to get on the ferry at
the dock and get off several
miles from the city, then board
a street car land pay the street
car fare) and get off in some
crowded thoroughfare-and re
verse the operation on the home
trip. If the present route is
maintained, they can have the
former-if the Fauntlcroy ex-
plot is adopted, they will have
the latter. AS one business man
of the island put it "if they run
to Fauntlcroy, We may as well
have the pavement dug up and
quit. " A good woman, who gets
her metaphors mixed said, eff
Fauntleroy is adopted, here s
where l pull up my freight. :"