The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1904-04-19

Inc city clerk tins morning read to the
new council the following communication
from Mayor Wright:
Mayors Communication
Gentlemen of the City Council: To adj
minister the affairs of the City of Tacoma
on behalf of the citizens thereof to their
best advantage and benefit, is the manifest
duty of the mayor and city council.
There have been in the past and neces-
sariy will be in the future diversity of
opinion as to what should be done on
public questions. Different minds have diff
ferent opinions and convictions. and it is
not probable that there will ever be full
harmony existing amongst different MEM
bers OF deliberate body of this character.
But on this we can agree, that it is the
duty OF each and all of us to give thought
full consideration to all measures presented
here, to be tolerant and considerate of
all opinions which may be opposed to our
own, and to have at all times paramount
in our minds above every other considera-
tion the best interests of the city of Ia.
coma
As citizens we have taken part in polit-
ical affairs as Democrats and Republicans.
but after election, i'm matters of legisa-
tion and administration of city affairs
no party considerations should influence us.
We occupy a higher position than par
tisanship can confer. We are now public
servants in representative capacity, en-
trusted with the confidence of the people
of the city, representing not only those
who voted for us but all the people
those who voted against us included.
Wants Good Feeling
Good feeling should prevail, regardless of
differences of opinion or of politics. and
for myself | shall not lay claim to the
support of any member of this honorable
body on account OF party allegiance, nor
expect the opposition Of any other mem
Der on account Of party opposition.
| hone and believe that every question
OF measure that may come before us will
receive impartial and unbiased considera-
ton at your hands on the merits of the
question involved.
1t is no purpose of mine to lecture this
body on its duties. Public office is a
public trust, and every member of this
council knows that the people demand
fidelity and diligence in promoting their
best interests and in conservging the pub
lie welfare.
FaVOrs Municipal Ownership
In the matter of the light and water
property of the city, ! am firm believer
in the idea of municipal ownership OF
public utilities to the extent of the finan-
cial ability of the city to acquire and
maintain such enterprises. 1t requires no
argument to sustain the contention that
the city should manage such enterprises
on behalf of the citizens rather than to
turn the same over to a corporation whose
charges for use by the public would be
such as to make large profits in addition
to all construction and maintenance cost
In the granting of light and power fran
chises we must keep in view the good and
interests of the city light plant. During
the last administration, thanks to the
mayor and to the council, a bargain OF
great advantage to the people was made
for furnishing a good power service FOR
lighting purposes, at a comparatively reas
enable rate This bargain was made pos
sible by competition of opposing bidders
and by the firm exercise of the city's
rights in granting a franchise to the Ia
coma Cataract company. In Cue TIME we
will be confronted by applications for vari-
Seeks More Competition
ous franchises. Let us admit competitive
corporations. but be careful to exact CON
ditions on behalf of the citizens that win
compensate to some extent for the valua-
Bile privilege granted and that will have IN
view the future growth and Development
of the city.
Above all, we should be jealous in guard
ing the future welfare of the city light
system having in view the supply of power
for lighting in the future at decreasing
price: otherwise it may become necessary
in the future for the city to build power
plant of its own to furnish power for the
lighting plant.
REGARDING POLICE CONTROL OF
PROSTITUTION IN THE CITY. l AM
FIRMLY OF THE OPINION THAT
THE LAST ADMINISTRATION WAS
ON THE RIGHT TRACK WHEN 1T
DESIGNATED AND FINED THOSE
CHARACTERS. AND THAT SINCE
THE ABANDONMENT OF THAT POLL
CY CONDITIONS HAVE BECOME
WORSE THAN EVER BEFORE IN THE
HISTORY or THE TOWN, 1t is very
undesirable that these persons should be
domiciled in various buildings along Pa
cifc avenue and in other hotels and
LODGING houses in various other parts of
tbe downtown district There was so-called
reform of the business section of the
citv which resulted in loosening the police
The Filming System Plan
control, THE NEW ADMINISTRATIONS
WILL. AT ONCE ASSERT AUTHORITY
sunport and hopes for the cooperation OF