Clearing the Tracks for Progress
A deal is struck between city industry and the railroad to move a major obstacle, clearing the way for new lines.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Final arrangements were completed yesterday between the Seattle & Montana, the Seattle, Lake Shore & Eastern and the Seattle Coal and Iron Company for the removal of the latter company's coal hoist to the east side of Railroad avenue, a petition allowing the change having passed both houses of the city council. As the hoist and apparatus now stands, it forms a complete obstruction to track laying on the right-of-way of the Seattle & Montana road on Railroad avenue. Some time ago the parties interested had trouble over the matter, but they got together and settled the matter amicably. Work will begin at once to move the hoist out of the way, and this done the Seattle & Montana will begin laying tracks. P. P. Shelby, vice-president, stated yesterday that within the next few days work will begin on the four tracks, and that until the same be completed for about a mile from Yesler avenue north his company will expend an average of $1,000 per day.
“As the hoist and apparatus now stands, it forms a complete obstruction to track laying on the right-of-way of the Seattle & Montana road on Railroad avenue.”
The struggle between the industrial infrastructure of the waterfront and the expansion of the rail network defined early Seattle’s growth. Today, Railroad Avenue is Alaskan Way, and the city continues to navigate the complex friction between historical port industry and modern transit development.
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