Tacoma Business Leaders Oppose Legislative Land Grab
The Chamber of Commerce refuses to support a controversial bill that would have funneled money into B. S. Grosscup's hands.
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.
B. S. Grosscup, who is the power behind the Bedford tideland suit, was turned down cold by the chamber of commerce trustees yesterday when he tried to get them to rescind their action of last week condemning the bill now before congress to make his fees practically sure. Grosscup argued with the trustees two hours yesterday. The chamber is against the bill and demands that Congressman Cushman have it killed. If it is not done it will be held against Cushman as he has the power to sidetrack it now.
“B. S. Grosscup... was turned down cold by the chamber of commerce trustees.”
The battle over 'tideland' ownership—essentially the right to develop the valuable mudflats of the waterfront—was a defining conflict in Tacoma's early growth. This highlights the ongoing tension between private legal maneuverings and the public interest in managing the city's shoreline.
From readers
No comments yet. If you know something about this story — a correction, a family memory, a source — it belongs here.