The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-07-21
CITY EXACTS CONDITIONS.
STRINGENT FRANCHISE FOR xNO-
QUALMIE POWER COMPANY.
w II. Baker VIII He Granted Per-
mi.sion tn Put Up Electric Wires
Only tpon Terms Dictated by Mu-

Al special meeting % the city council
/ held last night 10 consider the granting OF
franchise 10 W T. Baker TO erect and
maintain electric wires within the city
limits for the purpose OF supplying manu-
facturegs and other consumers with cleo
tririty from ihe snoqualmie falls power
plant. the report OF the committee Oh cor
poFatioHs amending the proposed franchise
in sucn manner as TO make virtually a
rev instrument, was adopted by vote OF
10 10 2. after long and lively debate over
the report. section by section.
The franchise, as Ii now stands and as
/ IL Will be finally passed by the council. is
an almost literal adoption or the franchise
granted by the city of Buffalo 10 the com
uany which. - now utilizing the power %
/! Niagara falls for manufacturing purposes
said TO be one Of the most stringent fran
chises ever granted by municipality in
/ the history OF The United States The
adoption Of the committee report was
warmly opposed BY Judge Thomas Burke
Mr. Bakers attorney, but without success
In perfect candor. / say to you" said
Judge Burke. IN the course Of his re-
marks. that the proposed franchise liz ut
terry unjust. IL reads more like a bill %
pains and penalties against a public enemy
than contract between a munich paity
and a private citizen. 1t * utterly un-
suited 10 the needs OF a small city like
Seattle"
Judge Burke's plea for Mr.. Baker was
called out by al amendment 10 The com
mittoe report. moved by Gil. which would
have allowed the city tn use the poles and
Condaits laid by the company free OF
charge In competing with the company in
furnishing power and lighting.
1t - nov too late. sad Gin.
/ for Nj. Baker to come 10 the
city posing a. public bcnefac-
Tor ana asking franchise as an act Of
charity to the city. Five years ago he
might haye done so. bat now with pros
petty already dawniug. MIR Baker comes
too tate. However. / don't want to be
unnecessarily harsh and | am willing TO
withdraw nv amendment"
ellis amendment Was nos the only one
offered, Rude and Hiil also trying their
hard At amending tae report. All of the
proposed changes were voted down how
ever. and the report as It came from the
hands q" chairman james, OF the commit
tee, wAs adopted and placed on It's second
reading Il settles matter over wilci!
tat corporations committee and Mr. la
ker have been pulling and hauling for
nearly ninety days 1t Was only Oh last
Saturday thai an agreement was finally
reached.
The franchise Mr. Baker wanted was
perpetual and almost without limitations
/ from the city. The franchise he Will get
( isl iar bat 'hif}T-@.x years. and subject to
/ conditions " Etch give the city. Ii Is con-
| s.@tted absolute protection against ans
/ 81 uS- 81 the franchise by Mr. Baker or MS
/ Successors The poles and wires must he
/ erected in strict accordance with plans APP
T.
. ihe city council, ana the wires may tie or
! dsIel p.acc3 underground at any time at
+ t'r reasonable notice. On streets where
] another company has already erected
j 10 ~ or lad CoaduitS. Nj Baker may he
| compelled - use the same poles or con-
du4t.s and cGmper -Sate the other company
/ fog sdch use. lie snau also giye the city
| the right "a uSe poles erected or conduits
| laid ty him ffee of charge for carrying
The wires IF the police ard hse alarm sys-
! tetuA
| Another important condition, Is ,hat Mr.
! Baker shall proVid" poles auj conJuits of
! double vie capacity needed for his own
/ use and ALLOW Tire city 90 usa the surplus
/ space and capacity for ten years free OF
charge Tor non-reyenu.- producing pur-
+ poses. ~ allow 'te city or any other ear-
/ f'oration 20 Use the same space and fac!u-
+ tiaa Tor private naes urou The p4vnen, ~
! oott.f. nea'ton 10 p determined ~ arh;tra-
tots
I Lastly the city after six wears. Is = re-
j eeiye I per cent. NJ the crnpany's earn.
bes for twelve wears ana after tA3t =
pe~ cant. - - d>ed hy arhitr7tion. nrtl al
I .h8rees made fer electricity are "a &c s3s4t
/ ent equitable 20 both small ana large ron.
i -7o1er~
The "exper'or';.on'' ordinance vetoed
'y Mayor iiumes reads as fellows: