The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-09-03

TscoxA. Aug. 26-Tspecial. Among
the communications received recently 81
the Tacoma bureau Of the PosT-IsTELLI-
sEscEx we're two Of serious Import one
contained the following note:
'aTacogsa Barsox 81 tAe Post intelligence:
/ wish you would read OVER the enclosed
Mss and IN the spirit Of fairness Tor
which your paper seems 70 oe justly recog-
rix-1 publish the same N suc1 e4EiferAsed
form as yco may deem best.
Bat / do want il made evident that ths
newspapers Of ths town are simply
gagged. And these facts can De readily
sQostantt1te1."
The name OF the writer OF this note and
ths-author Of the Communication will be
furnished 30 The proper interested persons.
The communication has not been altered
in the least;
The notices which have appeared in the
Ledger regarding the suit brought by the
Commercial Electric Light and Power
Company VS.. the city have been 50 garnled
that the opinion generally prevails that
the city won its suit, but from the prIma
facie evidence such Is not the case. The
Commercial Electric Light and Power
Company brought three separate COM
plants in its case, which was tried be-
fore Judge Prischard. 0ne was . COM
plant 10 show cause why the city should
not be enjoined from furnishing CONNER
eial ligats altogether. in view Of the fact
that, having already granted the Com
mercial company q franchise. il was. by
making los rates, and in many instances
furnishing the same at less than cost. en-
deavoring TO drive the Commercial Fec
trio Lighl and Power Company out OF the
business. Another complaint was that the
city had no right TO furnish light for less
L. "a
justly taxing the citizens. Another COM
paint was that the city had no right TO
discriminate in rates. as 10 had been do
ing, but must make one rate for all and
adhere 20 IL. On the first cause for COM
plant Judge Pritchard ruled that the city
had right TO furnish light TO private
consumers. but be issued an order restrain
ing the board of public works from
making rates TO suit themselves,
council make q rate. thereby stop
ping any and all discrimination.
This latter ruling was all that the CoEn-
mereial Light and Power Company ex-
pected. for the city ordinance already
passed rules that in no case can the city
furnish lights at less than cost. The Com
mercial company has expressly stated
that ii the council in fixing these rates
appoint an advisory committee, who shall
be empowered TO call in an expert electri-
clan 10 show them what IL actually costs
to make light, they will then be gov
erned themselves by the rates, and will be
willing TO adhere 10 them. When Mr..
Benefits paper published the board OF
public works side Of the case the Com
merclal company asked that in justice TO
themselves the Ledger should publish their
proposition 10 have an advisory committee
appointed by the couscii, and have an ex-
pert of their own selection called in. but
as Mr.. Bennett runs an electric light
plant from mis- own hotel the Ledger would
not publish any statement which could
possibly show the Commercial Electric
Light and Power company's side of the
case, and in consequence the public gener-
ally is led TO suppose that the board of
public WORKS in endeavoring 10 run the
Commercial Electric Light and Power
Company out of the field. and in its
general mismanagemento OF the city plant,
are only doing their duty. They have taken
away the customers OF the Commercial
Electric Light and Power Company by
simply taking lights at lower rates, with
out even considering whether these rates
were not already low enough, as in the
instance of the Fife hotel, burning 300 in
candescent lamps under contract to the
Commercial Electric Light AID Power
Company at sio0 month.
''The city added two arc lights and
price Of SIS per month for the summer
months and $65 for the winter. The arcs
alone. at lowest ruling rates, would be so
per month, leaving in the long winter days
S45 per month TO pay for 800 incandescent
lights, or an average Of Is cents per
month a light. Now, when according to
all statistical information, Il costs 20 cents
a month 10 make a light it Is clearly evil
dent that this must entail rather a serious
loss. which the taxpayers are compelled TO
make good"
The communication is from an authori-
tative source. An ordinance has been
passed by the city council. however. which
likes rates that the eity's electric light
plant managers must adhere to. The
other communication is as follows:
"Tacoma Bureau of the Post Tatelligencer.
The Tacoma school board have numer-
Gus complaints coming in because they lei
contracts for the next year for supplies OF
coal and wood, etc. to their individua!
friends several months ahead of the usual
time without advertising for bids in the
daily newspapers, or even sending notices
20 those that we're competitors last year.
COMPLETION"