White River Farmers Resist City's Drainage Plan
Farmers in the White River Valley rejected a proposed drainage ditch, arguing the city should subsidize the cost for its own water benefit.
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Farmers of the White River valley met at Orillia yesterday to take action upon the plan for constructing a drainage ditch proposed by the Seattle city council. William Cochrane was in the chair and C. C. Strong acted as secretary. Considerable discussion ensued, and it was resolved to decline the proposition of the city council, and to request the council to reconsider their action and give the farmers the financial help which the latter need. The prevailing opinion among the farmers was that they could not raise the proposed $80,000 among those who had already heavy losses to bear by the floods, and that they had a right to expect financial aid from the city because the ditch would afford the citizens a supply of pure mountain water, which they could not otherwise obtain except at a considerable outlay.
“The farmers cannot be expected to improve the city water works without compensation.”
Conflicts between Seattle's urban infrastructure needs and the surrounding agricultural districts (like the Duwamish and White River valleys) have shaped regional development for over a century. This dispute highlights how city expansion was often subsidized on the backs of rural residents until local organizing forced a change.
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