Ready for Final Act

Originally published Saturday, November 16, 1996

Wednesday, May 29, 1907

Mayor Moore Expects Today to Sign Annexation Ordinance, With Seattle Department Heads on Hand to Take Charge of New Territory

Some time this afternoon, Mayor W. H. Moore expects to attach his signature to the annexation ordinance, when Ballard as a municipality will pass out of existence. Heads of the departments of the Seattle city government will be in Ballard, and when the ordinance is signed will take charge of the Ballard departments.

The Ballard council met last night, but, contrary to expectations, not for the last time. Clerk Murdoch reported that the experts who have been working on the city's books would not be able to turn in their report until this afternoon at 3 o'clock. It was decided, on motion of Councilman Cox, to adjourn to meet this morning at 11 o'clock, and late in the day to turn over the city's business and assets to the Seattle officials.

"If nothing unforeseen occurs I will sign the Ballard annexation ordinance this afternoon," said Mayor Moore last night. "When City Treasurer Russell telephones me that everything is all right I will sign the ordinance. I expect the heads of all the Seattle departments to be in Ballard, so as immediately to take charge of the Ballard departments."

City Treasurer Russell and the finance committee will count the money in the Ballard city treasury, and when they find that it is correct will advise the mayor. Mayor Moore, in his office, will then attach his signature to the annexation document and send it to be published. Word will be telephoned to Ballard and the Seattle department chiefs will then assume charge.

City Treasurer Russell yesterday received from E.G. Shorrock & Co. a statement of the finances of Ballard, showing that the city is more than a quarter of a million dollars in debt and has exceeded the 5 per cent limit of its assessed valuation. The statement is as follows:

Warrants Outstanding 
--Current expenses .....$ 54,035 95
Water ................   19,207 61
Indebtedness .........   15,238 04
Water extension ......   14,238 04
 - $102,877 65
Bonds Outstanding
 --Funding bonds ........ $100,000 00
Water bonds ..........   77,000 00 - $177,000 00                                     -----------     
Total indebtedness ............ $279,877 65
Cash on hand ......... $ 11,733 51
Accounts receivable ..      273 00 - $ 12,006 51                                     -----------
     Net indebtedness .............. $267,871 14

Including the local improvement money, $45,158 43 will be turned over today to City Treasurer Russell. Mr. Russell yesterday designated the following Ballard banks as depositories for the money: Scandinavian American, Union Savings & Trust and State.

W. F. Grill, city treasurer of Ballard, will become a deputy in Mr. Russell's office and will have charge of the Ballard collections for local improvement work. Miss M. E. Cruse, who has had charge of the water collections in Ballard, will continue the same duties in Mr. Russell's office.

The Ballard departments will be allowed to run as they are for a few days or weeks. Police Sergeant Mike Powers will be made a captain and will be placed in charge of the Ballard police department. The heads of other departments have not yet made definite arrangements to complete the transfer of administration.

Ballard will come into the city as the Thirteenth ward. An election to select a councilman, to serve until next March, will be held on August 20. The nominations will be by direct primary. The present Ballard precincts will be allowed to remain unchanged.

As soon as the annexation ordinance is signed the score of Ballard saloons will be technically without licenses. They will have to apply and receive new licenses from the Seattle city council.

With the passing of the city of Ballard into Seattle the latter will gain about 18,000 inhabitants, considerable public property and $4,125,000 in taxable property. The city of Ballard was incorporated in February, 1890, and Charles F. Treat was its first mayor. In the seventeen years of its existence the city has grown from a village with one sawmill to a city of 18,000 people, seventeen shingle mills, four huge lumber mills, foundries and machine shops.

When the Lake Washington canal was surveyed and changes allowed for property, the city of Ballard received $25,000, with which the present city hall building was erected. The annexation of Ballard to Seattle was first agitated ten years ago, but the first vote was not taken until December 4, 1905, when it was defeated by 1,023 against to 514. This vote was taken at the same time the municipal ticket was voted on and J. H. Wiley elected mayor.

In 1906, the annexation party placed a reform annexation ticket in the field, which was pledged to call another election to vote on annexation, the council at that time having refused to grant a petition calling for a special election to be held in 1906.

This ticket was headed by Henry E. Peck. Four annexation councilmen -- Messrs. Coombs, Cox, Jones and Engquist -- were elected together with the mayor, by small majorities, giving the annexation party control of the situation.

They were installed January 1, 1907, and immediately dismissed the suit in the supreme court on the annexation petition and called an election to vote on annexation for April 6 this year. An active campaign was waged, resulting in the carrying of annexation by a majority of 122. In the meantime Louis Anderson, councilman from the Second ward, joined the annexation side, giving the annexationists five members in the council and enough votes to adopt legislation over the mayor's veto.

After the council was installed it was petitioned to raise the saloon license to $1,000 per year, close saloons Sundays and at midnight and tear out the boxes in the saloons. It raised the license to $1,000, passed an ordinance closing saloons on Sundays and fixed the hour of closing at night at 1 o'clock. The annexationists prepared a bill, and secured its passage by the legislature, making it possible for Ballard to take a census after June 12, to see if the city did not have 14,000 people, so as to entitle the district to two councilmen. Several weeks ago, however, the council adopted a resolution petitioning for immediate entrance into Seattle.

At the final meeting of the Ballard council last night an ordinance was adopted approving the assessment roll for East Times street, and the assessment roll for Chestnut street between Sixth and Eighth avenues was ordered advertised.

A. W. Preston was given a special permit to erect a warehouse back of his store on Ballard avenue. The Alonzo avenue and Times street walks were accepted and the contractors released.

Police Judge C. L. Nelson reported fines and costs collected by him since his incumbency of the office last September of $1,198.