The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-08-05
LIGHTS ON STREETS.
The Council Calls on Car Com
panies to Act.
FINAL ACTION IS DEFERRED.
Electric Car Companies Cannot Light
Streets With the Electric Motive
Power-Routine Work.
ACTION is DEFERRED.

There was a meeting OF the city council
In committee OF the whole last night TO
consider the request of electric railway
companies for release from the condition
of their franchises requiring electric lights
along their lines. President Sweeney was
called 10 the chair and Delegate Drew
acted as secretary. Aldermen Miller,
Ingram, Wolfe; Delegates Lyon, Cook,
Coryell. Crichton, Ryan. Brace. Calligan.
also being present.
DIR. kilbourne, d. T. Denny, E. F.
Whittier and Julius F. Hale represented the
companies,
DR.. KHbourne, on behalf of the con-
soiidated lines, said that when the
franchise was granted to his road the con-
ditions We're such that it made
money. but now with so many
competing electric lines, they were
all losing, and would until
the city was built up along the lines His
road had been spending $4,000 a month
and taking in SIS, 900. and even that had
been reduced TO $i2.0oo. He explained
that it mad been hoped 10 light the streets
with the same power as that used for car
propulsion, but that had been found ut
terry lmpractlcaple, as the yariation.in the
movement of cars caused an irregular
light and made il very expensive to con-
troll. and TO be compelled to put in an en-
tlrely new plant at present would be
almost ruinous. There were roads COM
PEELED TO run five and six miles at cent
fare, and it was impossible to do it with
the present sparse population at that
price without loss. It is only very re-
Gently that New York with its enormous
population had cent fares such distances
as in Seattle. The roads here have spent
$3.50, 900 in hard coin and had not taken
out dollar
d. 7. Denny also addressed the commit
tee, saying that he had hoped the storage
battery system would be perfected so that
he could have applied it 10 the Third
street line. Il was not in such condition
yet, but storage of sixty miles had been
obtained. and it would not be long before
the companies would be able TO use il and
take down the Objectionable overhead
wires. Knowing the conditions under
which the railroads were operating, he
felt that the provision was a great hard
ship.
f. F. Whittier also addressed the COM
mittee.
Delegate Calligan doubted if either of
the representatives. of the road who had
spoken would vote, as members OF the
council, to relinqu;sh conditions OF
franchise. He admitted all that had been
claimed as 10 the good accomplished by
the roads, but people had gone far out on
the faith of the franchise guaranteeing
transportation and electric lights. If the
city releases the company the city will
have TO light those places. Still. he was
willing 10 give reasonable time under the
circumstances. but not TO release the COM
panies altogether.
Alderman Miller complained of many
small evils which the companies could
remedy at small cost.
DR.. Sweeney, in a conservative speech,
advised the council while protecting the
city's interests not to hamper the roads
DR.. Crichton thought the promoters OF
car lines were shrewd men who knew
what they were giving and taking in fran
chise conditions.
On motion. it was resolved 10 have the
lighting committees inquire further and
report on August u.
The house of delegates went into regular
session and passed number of routine
bills and one creating a board OF examin-
ers for plumbers.
The recommendation of Mr. Donworth
that suit be instituted for the purpose of
finally settling the boundary lines in the
Edes 4 Knights addition was fayorably
received.
The assessment roll for South Twelfth
street under the plan of reassessment was
received by the council and referred 10 the
committee on judiciary and legislation.
Adjourned until Tuesday evening.