The Terminal Standoff: How Seattle’s Business Elite Forced a Railroad Compromise

THE TERMINAL BUILDINGS.

During the first two days interviews have taken place between Elijah Smith, general manager of the Columbia & Puget Sound Railroad, and T. H. Tyndale, president of the Puget Sound Shore Railroad, looking toward the settlement by which the construction of the terminal buildings of the Puget Sound Shore is prevented.

Both of the railroad directors assume themselves as anxious that the trouble be settled. A definite proposition was submitted by Mr. Tyndale to Mr. Smith, and was by him rejected. Mr. Smith then proposed terms to Mr. Tyndale, who declined to accept them. It was stated yesterday morning that no negotiations between the companies were off, but this was denied, and it was said upon authority that another conference would be held, and farther efforts made to allow the construction of the warehouses for the same.

That the public of Seattle are profoundly interested in the outcome of these meetings of the representatives of the two railways may well be seen from the following letters:

SEATTLE, Jan. 14, 1899. T. H. Tyndale, President Puget Sound Shore Railroad Company, Dear Sir: I am constrained by reason of the controversy that has taken place between your respective companies to address you upon a matter which is connected by all with urgent public importance and interest being of intense interest in your trust. I desire to call attention to the fact that the Seattle Transfer Company (which fact is of public notoriety) made a contract with the Puget Sound Shore Railroad Company to construct these warehouses and other structures as terminal accommodations for freight, which are today absolutely public necessities in the city of Seattle, and that these improvements involve an expenditure of about $100,000, as contemplated by the contract entered into between the Puget Sound Railroad Company and the Seattle Transfer Company. The controversy, as I am informed, is over the question of rights of the railroads to what is known as the "broad gauge strip," and the use of the broad gauge line by the Columbia & Puget Sound road.

I do not in any manner desire to interfere or even to be interfering with the rights of either company, but as president of the Board of Trade of the city of Seattle I desire to call your respective attention to the detrimental character of your controversy to the public interest. Four-fifths of the freight business transacted over the Puget Sound Shore Railroad Company's line in Seattle is conducted in the open air, there being no adequate facilities for storing or properly handling freight hauled or received by the Puget Sound Shore Railroad Company. This is an evil, in the judgment of the merchants of this city, which should be corrected at the earliest possible moment.

I have the honor on the part of the Board of Trade and the commercial interests of the city to request, if compatible with the interests of your road, that you permit the improvements contemplated by the contract heretofore made between the Transfer Company and the Puget Sound Shore Railroad Company to be erected under such compact as shall be agreeable to your board. In other words, to allow the improvements to be made for the benefit of the public under such arrangements as shall be in all respects just and fair to your companies.

With much respect I have the honor to be your obedient servant, GEORGE B. ADAIR, President of the Board of Trade. C. H. Kinnaman, Secretary.

This letter was supplemented by another from several of the representative merchants of the city:

SEATTLE, Jan. 14, 1899. T. H. Tyndale, Esq., President of Puget Sound Shore Railroad Co., Dear Sir: Referring to the letter of Mr. George B. Adair, president of the Board of Trade of the city of Seattle, we have the honor also to request that the suggestions made in said letter be acted upon as promptly as the interests of the Columbia & Puget Sound Railroad Company and the Puget Sound Shore Railroad Company will permit. As merchants and property holders of the city of Seattle, we think it is inconsistent with the interest of the public to longer delay the erection of the improvements referred to in Mr. Adair's letter and therefore earnestly request that such agreement may be entered into between the companies at an early date, that will permit the immediate erection of the improvements contemplated by the contract between the Transfer Company and the Puget Sound Shore Railroad Company.

Hoping this request will meet with a favorable reply, we remain, your obedient servants, GEORGE B. ADAIR & CO., ADAM HARTMANN, BENJAMIN DARW & CO., W. P. BOYD & CO., SEATTLE NATIONAL BANK, HARRINGTON & SMITH, MERCHANTS' NATIONAL BANK, THOMAS, BINKLEY & CO., E. LOEB & CO., A. BAXTER & CO. GEORGE W. HAYES, Pres. First National Bank. L. P. SEXTON, Vice Pres. Puget Sound Nat'l Bank.