Seattle Challenges the Railroad Monopoly
A local committee led by Judge Jacobs petitions the government to stop the Northern Pacific from claiming an old coal line as a major branch.
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.
The Commissioners appointed by the President to examine and report upon the Puyallup coal road as a section of the Northern Pacific Railroad have visited the Sound and completed such examination. They were met at Seattle last Saturday by a committee of citizens of that city, headed by Judge Jacobs, who presented a memorial protesting against the acceptance of the road, alleging that it was constructed some seven years ago as a coal road up the Puyallup Valley, and terminated in a canyon, and as such was not suitable for a part of the Cascade branch. The object of the railroad company is apparent. If it can secure the adoption of this section of coal road as a part of the Cascade branch, it matters little whether forfeiture be declared or not. The commissioners received the Seattle committee cordially, but claimed that it was not part of their duty to take into consideration the question raised as to the legality of the adoption of the road; that they were merely instructed to examine and report as to the construction and equipment of the line.
“If there be any doubt about the legality of this matter, it is clearly the duty of the President to give the people the benefit of the doubt.”
This reflects the early 'growth machine' era of Seattle, where railroads were the arbiters of which towns would live or die. The struggle to hold corporate interests accountable for infrastructure promises remains a perennial challenge in municipal politics.
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