Tacoma Sealed Its Waterfront Deal With a Telegram

Tacoma, May 29.—The tide-land plat in front of the city, as approved by the local appraisers, was approved by an ordinance which, on a suspension of the rules, was passed. This disposes of one of the questions that has long been agitating the city government. Chairman, Lister and Harris were the only members voting against the passage of the ordinance.

The plat was approved on the representation of the Northern Pacific Railroad and Tacoma Land Company officials that the concessions asked from these corporations in the way of waterways and rights-of-way along the water front would be granted. The dissenting councilmen desired some better guarantee of the companies' faith than letters or telegrams. Mayor Orr submitted the telegraphic promises and said in relation to them:

"In receipt of these telegrams it seems to me your honorable body will be absolutely safe in going ahead and taking such action as will be necessary to settle the water front question by accepting such propositions as are stated by telegrams. I would respectfully recommend the acceptance, which will lead to a speedy settlement of the entire question."

The telegrams included pledges from C. B. Wright of the land company, Receiver T. F. Oakes, and General Manager J. W. Kendrick. Wright wrote that the land company directors had authorized officers to execute to the city 400 feet at the foot of Fifteenth street. Oakes wired that receivers approved granting a thirty-foot strip along the water front, though a court order and description would cause delay. Another message pledged that the right-of-way for the water-front street, made in Gen. Manager Kendrick's letter of April 17, would be ratified and made good by the receivers.

At the meeting an ordinance was introduced calling a special election to be held July 15 to validate an attempted warrant indebtedness of the city, the debt having been incurred between August 5, 1892, and February 27.

A proposition was received from the owners of property on Glover creek, agreeing to let the city take 4,000,000 gallons of water daily from the creek if the city would pay Rigney the $7,500 judgment secured by him and also pay $4,500 to other owners. The matter was referred to the fire and water committee.

The bond and contract with F. W. Cornwall to do the city printing at a specified rate per inch were approved, and the Ledger was declared the official paper.