The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1904-04-02
BE FAIR.

present contest for the election Of
i've trustees to serve the people dur
ing the coming year and We intend to
adhere to that policy, 50 far as the
personnel OF the tickets is concerned.
The abusive attack made on the old
board of trustees and the unfounded
charges against the Consumers Comp
any by the so-called Voters Guide, ="
are matters in which all the people
are interested, no matter which ticket
they may be supporting. and it is
these subjects We propose to discuss,
with fairness and for the best in
terests Of the town, and in justice to
b. D. Graham and the Consumers
Company. The past position Of the
Press on the light and water question
and other enterprises of semi
public nature is so we'll known that
1t needs no explanation, and its
motives have never been questioned,
except by the little eoteris of schemers
who fought the electric railway fran
chise and the franchises Of the new
water and hight company from start
to finish, and who did all in their
power TO continue indefinitely the
grasp Of the old company on the
threats Of the people, while it refused
them fair service and water for fire
protection. 1t has just released its
last bold By forcing tho town to pay
1t 1900 for water used last summer
In street sprinkling, rather than 60
into expensive litigation. which the
people would be compelled to pay.
These things are fresh in the minds
of the people, and We now propose to
show the public that this same crowd
has resumed its old tactics against
them aud their best interests.
In the so-called Voters Guide"
gotten out in the gold brick office -
you known it handed a gold brick to
the people last week edited by a
mythical Taxpayers Committee, "
under the supervision Of the late
deposed King James, bold and
deliberate attempt is made to deceive
the voters for the purpose OF restoring
the little monarchy, under which we
lived for so mauy years. Let us see
why this is so. The old company
sold its plants when the franchises of
the new company, backed by ninety
per cent of the people, we're passed,
and it became very clear to them
that to hold on longer meant
a big financial loss. The state
me- n the irresponsible sheet that
IL being scattered broadcast are mis-.
leading and in many respects false
They are made for the sole purpose of
decei7iug you who have freed your
selves from the tyranny Of the old
company, and We propose to prove
these assertions by a brief statement
Of facts.
In the first franchise B. o. Graham
was very liberal to the town, 50 much
90, that when be took his contract to
hnanciers they refused to put up
money to build the new plants be-
cause they could not figure a profit
able Investment from the enterpriae
He was handicapped by the terms OF
the franchises and after a number of
efforts TO float the enter.
prise, found that his franchises had
become void by tho expiration Of the
limit when work should have been
begun.
He proposed new franchises under
which be had the promise Of capital
10 60 on with the work and the board
Of trustees granted thsm. NJ. Graham
then secured the necessary capital,
BOO, 800, aud has since paid out many
thousands ot that money ia laying
mains, building new plant and {
it with modern engiDe.
pumps aud dynamo4. Hundreds Of {
men have had employment at good
wages a large reservoir ia about com.
"L' pHiDTe many days the
CONSUMERS Company will be furnish. Q
ng you pure water instead Of the +
polluted stuff you have been drinking t
or the past few years In the mean
line this company has been giving ,
'ou better light and water ssrvice e
han you ever had before and viII t
Don be in position to supplv van i.
'ith the best that can be furnished t
The company has not had an T..
pportunity to show what II will do o
Of the people and it ia fact that II y
Ill furnish good fire. service and q
alter for street sprinkling and other C
ublie uses absolutely free Of charus
nese things are necssssris. and ~
le people are not -atisfed with ia q.
ties the state law provides 4 mean. =,
hereby they may have those rata. :
tistaetorily adjusted by board "a
Gated for that purpose. The fran. :,
Use also provides that at tbs expir,. n
IN Of twenty five ysars the city G