The Great Reconstruction Logjam

The rebuilding of Seattle is seriously hampered by the difficulties of getting building materials into the city. Brick, stone, and lumber must largely come by water, and there are no adequate facilities for unloading them at convenient places. The wharf facilities for brick and lumber are too limited in space even for ordinary times; to meet the present emergency, even if fully restored, they would not afford one-half of the room required. It is the duty of the council to immediately provide the facilities so necessary at this time. The old wharves should be restored without delay and new ones should be opened to accommodate the increased traffic. Another important and immediate necessity is the improvement of streets leading to the places where general freight by rail or steamer reaches the city. It is now next to impossible to get merchandise from the cars at the Front Street bridge or from the only place of general landing at the foot of Union Street. The town is suffering for the want of goods, now waiting to be unloaded. If it will go about the business promptly, the council can do much in a very practical way to assist the city.