The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-12-09
Highest of all in Leavenng Power-Latest US. Govt Report
Ra!!:.!! R Rat1HS
ABSOLUTELY PURE
THE POWER COMPANY.
A Gard of Explanation TO the People OF
seattle.

To the People OF Seattle: Inc SedtaiS
Power Company has been Of late so much
misrepresented that il desires 10 address
TO each Of you a few words as 10 its char
ac1er and purposes.
If il is an offense 10 be a corporation, IL
pleads guilty. In this respect it enjoys
good company, for there is hardly any
important enterprise. charitable or bust
ness. in this city which is not carried on
by a corporation. The city itself. the
churches. the benevolent institutions, life
and fire Insurance. lighting. the railways.
the large manufacturing. mining ana ousi-
ness enterprises are nearly all corporate
concerns. Very few OF them could exist
except as corporate bodies. In a new
country where money is scarce incorpora-
ton is the only way in which large
amounts of money wanted for extensive
operations can be assembled.
Corporations. like individuals, should be
judged by their acts; and for that reason
the acts of the Seattle Power Company
should be known before il is condemned.
This company is neither a myth without
money, as has been alleged on one occa-
sion, nor does it design 10 deprive Seattle
OF its water rights. as has been alleged on
other occasions. These two descriptions
are not only inconsistent, but neither or
them is true.
The company was ORGANIZED about two
years ago 10 utilize the fall OF CEDAR
river TOT power. "a that llii4t IL "ao III
aware of the plans and surveys OF Bene-
zette Williams. They were afterwards OF
some use in giving a general knowledge or
the country. but were found 10 be I'M
practicable in detail and abandoned. There
were other schemes then much talked or
for bringing cheap power TO Seattle. The
parties interested in them were generously
encouraged by the public. 1t was considS
cred unfortunate that they were unsuc-
cessfuI in bringing capital here.
At a later period Il seemed practicable
to combine a gravity water supply for Sc
attic with the earlier features OF our en-
t~erpr,se.' About eight months ago, the city
prospectus inviting proposals for the con-
struction of the gravity system, connrmed
the belief that efforts in his direction
would be encouraged.
AT no time have our movements been Sc
cret. We consulted the city engineer Oh
several occasions as TO our plans and esti-
mates, and were assured by him that the
city. although frequently urged by the
engineering department. had failed 10
adopt any plans looking to securing the
Cedar river water supply.
Our projects were well known to a great
number of prominent citizens. The work
has been carried On openly. with no desire
TO avoid publicity, and in the belief that
efforts to bring capital here for investment
in important enterprises would be heartily
welcomed.
We have never intended, nor do we think
it possible for any body to deprive Seattle
of its water rights, nor OF anything else
that nay be deemed useful or beneficial to
the people.
Our proposals TO construct a gravity sys-
TEN for Seattle were intended 10 supply
better water at a lower cost than the wa
ter from Lake Washington, and to give the
city an option to buy the whole system at
any time, on terms TO be fixed by arb!tra-
ton.
We offered to submit our proposals to a
board OF engineers, with the stipulation
that if we had not made terms satisfactory
TO the city we would try to make them so
1t Is plain the city can make its own
terms. and we cannot dictate.
These proposals have been assailed by
many who, as we have reason 10 KNOW
have not read them. Others have mis-
represented them as much as If they had
not read them.
We are ready to construct a gravity sys-
tenn and furnish water to Seattle cheap
er than it can be had in any other way.
with the provision that the city shall have
and own its water supply system abso-
luteiy and completely. The volume OF Ce-
dar river at its lowest flow IS abundantl
for all possible city wants for generations
The surplus saved by storage, or what
would otherwise be wasted. is all we
want, and is ample for our purposes.
For the city 10 monOpolize the water OF
Cedar river beyond its own wants, present
and future, would be as extraordinary as
TO seek TO monopoliZe the air or the ocean
or as if the city Of Buffalo should claim
the falls Of Niagara. about twenty miles
distant. now being utilized for power Tor
the n~eighhoring cities and towns.
II the ordinance is approved and the
warrants held legal by the courts we shall
he in a position to make a bid for the
contract with the city on the terms set
forth. If the ordinance is not approved.
our propositions are before the council for
discussion and modification. to meet the
just demands of the people, and We are
ready to begin work at once.
We protest against being considered
hostile to the interests of Seattle
in any respect. Every step in our
enterprise has looked towards the
speedy restoration Of Seattle TO its
former prosperity. In that prosperity we
hoped to find the beneficial results OF our
Investments.
II has been a surprising and unexpected
experience that after prolonged and often
dlscouraging efforts TO enlist capital in
public enterprises here. our success should
have been the occasion of insinuations and
attacks made. often without knowledge.
and in some cases with a malignity that
we rave no desire to account for.
We ask 20 be judged by the evidence.
The recent report Of th3 county conAinS-
sioners on orr work at cedar lake IS good
evidence Of our intentions. as well as our
ability 10 do credit 10 this city. county and
state.
II VIII be for those who, without Just
motives. or ignorant Of our purposes. as
sail as and put obstacles in our way, TO
answer 10 this community for the failure
of our efforts. f they should fail. to con-
tribute hrgely u the prosperity OF this
city and its Inhabitants.
SEATTLE POWER COMPANY,
+ II. Ammidown. President.