The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-03-23
HARD ON FACTORIES.
Tacoma Taxes a Heavy Burden
OneIts Industries.
Mr.. PAuLsoNs PROTEST.
Opposed to Water Plant Scheme-Oon-
sidsring in OAer From Evsrsst-A
New Water Works Bid.

TACOMA, March 22-rspecialEH A. Paulson,
general manager of the Tacoma Lumber and
Manufacturing Company, was asked today II he
and his company had reached any conclusion
about the proposition to remove its plant to
Everett, provided . large bonus and . site were
given 1t. He said:
do not know just what We shall do II there
are any more schemes to saddle big debts on Us.
Is city. II our taxes go up, the value OF our
realty will 60 down, and we may be driven out
OF the city. The municipalities indebtedness 10
100000. to say nothing about what the county
owes.
Like many other taxpayers Mr.. Paulson OBJ
jects to the proposition to dispose OF the water
and electric plant to the city for 81, 900, and
besides have to expend $66o,000 or more to re-
pair the water plant in order TO get decent
supply out OF it II 10 proposed to sell tho pres.
emit water plant, which has been condemned a.
having an unfit source OF supply, and an
electric light plant that can be duplicated for
less than $500 600 for $1,000, whom taxpayers
are fully confident 1t 10 not worth one penny
over 81, OOO,O GOO.
Indeed, the present plant has nothing to
recommend it for favorable consideration aside
from the general proposition that, ii the city Is
to have plant of its own, it ought in fairness
to give the Old company a chance to cell out At
q reasonable figure. As q rule, taxpayers are
willing to pay moro than the plant is worth in
order to evince an appreciation OF the COM
panys services in furnishing . pioneer supply
of water. II it did for the purpose of sell.
ing town lots and realized handsomely thereon
Is it certainly has done. But they do object to
paying an excessive price even to Mr.. Wright
Taxpayers realise that capital will be driven
from Tacoma if the city is burdened with q
million and a quarter in debts in addition to
what it already 10 Carrying Besides. If there 10
such debt to be created, no other needed i'm.
provements can be made. Prospective resi-.
dents would, upon inquiry, hnd the city bur-
dened with debts and without any adequate
sewerage system. necessary bridges and other
facilities which encourage new industries and
enhance the community commercially.
Besides, should tho present plant with the
proposed Improvements carry, a. nobody seri-
ously expects it will, unless there 10 "nigger
in the fence" there 10 no assurance that the
supply will be . permanent one, or that it will
be proof against contamination.
Today another proposition for . new system,
and pure supply OF wateE together with an
electric plant, was submitted. Fred G. Plum.
mer, George H. Hollidge and others agree to
furnish an entirely new water system and an
electric plant for 1000 less than the Light and
Water Company asks for its plants.
For $l,5S6.00o Plummsr, Holiidge and others
propose to construct gravity supply system of
100000 gallons capacity daily, the source to
be without the limits of any village or city and
not liable to pollution. The supply can be in
creased II desired Full title to all water rights
and rights-of-way will be given the city. The
proposition includes aaueducts and distributing
system fully equipped aud ready for service. the
pressure at the highest point In the city to DO at
least seventy pounds per inch. They offer to
begin work within ten days and have the sys.
tenn In use IN eighteen months from sigaing of
the contract, and to furnish bonds in any
amount desired.
For $le5.0OO they agree to furnish an electric
plant covering the same area a. present system
and guarantees that the cost of running shall
not exceed One-han the present cost {, thus max
ing the total estimate i, which is $4,000
less than is asked by the Tacoma Light and
Water Company for its water and electric light
plant