Every Inch of Seattle's Tide Flats Is Claimed by Someone

An analysis of the applications for purchase of Seattle tide lands which has been made by Webster Brown, the engineer, shows some interesting facts which foreshadow some tedious litigation. There are about 730 applications, and there is hardly a tract in Willott bay on which there is not at least one contest; in fact, the cases where there is only one conflicting application are rare. This is due to the policy adopted by those having prior rights of covering with their applications every tract to which the broadest interpretation of the law might entitle them. The upland owners have determined their claims by simply extending the boundaries of their upland property in a direct line to deep water and saying that all between those lines is in front of their property. This policy has produced some peculiar results. One man who owns one upland lot in Moss's South Seattle addition has filed application to purchase a strip in front of his lot extending nearly 9,000 feet to deep water on the north, but his application conflicts with no less than 11 others. Four and five conflicts are quite common and the number frequently runs up into the teens. The state land commissioners will have to unravel the tangle in some manner or other. The hearing of contests is not expected to begin before September 1, and all applicants will receive from twenty to thirty days' notice of the date.