The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-06-24
CALLED TO ACCOUNT.
Electric Car Company Required
to Light Streets.
FURTHER TIME is ASKED FOR.
City Council Meets to Inquire Why
Streets Are Not Lighted-Action
Postponed Until Tuesday.

The city council last night held its third
session this week, meeting in joint con-
vention. The purpose was to consider
JOINT resolution requiring the Seattle
Electric Light and Power Company to
comply with ordinance 1,524, which pro-
vides that on certain parts of its route on
which the overhead wire system is used, it
shall light the streets with electric lights.
The resolution declares that unless the
company proceeds at once to comply with
this requirement. the council shall on
June %, in joint convention, take action
on the resolution.
julius 4. Hale, for the consolidated
street railway system, said he was d.
rected to explain the position of the COM
pany on the matter. AT the time the
franchise was granted, the company had
believed travel would increase instead Of
decrease, and also that the system which
supplied power for the cars would serve
an electric light system. The company,
however, was in the position that it took
all its revenue to keep the road running,
and it was found impracticable to keep
lights burning in connection with the
propelling system. The attempt had been
failure, and the cost of putting in q
separate lighting system would seriously
cripple the company and prevent it giving
the transportation service demanded by
the public. He said there was not rail-
way system in the city today which could
carry out such an obligation. The pay roll
and other expenses must be met, and he
did not believe there was any disposition
on the part of the city to impose burden
ON any of its infant industries which
would seriously jeopardze its existence.
He asked the council to refrain for the
present from insisting upon this condition
OF the franchise.
Dr. kioeber said he most heartily OBJ
Jected to the incidental statement that the
company paid its due proportion of taxes.
There was an ordinance requiring from all
car lines license fee of $25 on each car
and this the company resisted.
Mr.. Hale replied that this was special
tax over and above the ad valorem tax
paid be all property.
DR.. kloeber continued that the COM
pany was a common carrier, and another
transportation company had to pay and
did pay license fee beyond its property
valuation tax.
DR.. Crichton asked what the expense of
lighting the line would be.
hoped to be present and answer any ques-
tons, had been suddenly called from town.
The expense would be very great because
it would necessitate an entirely new plant
for the special purpose of lighting.
DIR. Crichton moved that the council
postpone any action until next Tuesday
night. 1t was evident great outlay was
involved and he thought both sides should
be well considered.
DR.. Kloeber seconded and the council so
resolved.
Both houses will meet tonight to try
Fire Commissioner Foster on the charges
preferred by the mayor.
An incident of the session was a correc-
ton of the minutes by DR.. J. S. Kloeber
to show that Gardner Kellogg was not ii
member of the fire commission, but was
the acting chief
The houses met in separate session, but
transacted very little business.
The report of the library investigating
committee was taken from the file and re-
mitted TO the mayor for consideration and
action by the board Of aldermen.
President Sweeney announced the fol-
lowing appointments to committees:
Equalzation-Miller, Daulton, earle.
Harbors and wharves--Wolfe, earle, Miller.
Cisims-Ingram, Jordan, Miller.
He also appointed Cram, Daulton and
Wolfe to act with the house committee on
the investigation of the subject of the city
owning its electric lighting plant.
The following ordinances were read:
Appropriating sioO to C. +. E. Voss out of the
condemnation award fund; passed.
For the construction of sewer on Broadway
between Yesler avenue and Lake street; passed.
Empowering the board to public works to
construct a water main on Republican street:
passed.
An invitation was received for the coun-
Gil to participate as body in the dedica-
ton of the Masonic temple. 1t was form
ally accepted.
A petition from the w. c. T. U. for
permission to erect booth on Pioneer
place was referred to the street committee.
The board of public works was author
lied to purchase street sweeper.
The house of delegates passed several
bills, which were subsequently sent to the
board of aldermen, and there formed part
of the proceedings.