Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-24

the West Seattle resident continued to
climb the hill
Climbing long, steep hill at the close OF
the days work makes a man think. and
these suburbanites, after repeated delays,
threatened to establish a municipal service
unless something more substantial than
runors was speedily forthcoming.
To forestall municipal service the Seat
tie Electric Company then put up cash
forfeit of $1,000, promising to construct
the road before January. 1893. When that
time arrived the company secured an eX-
tension to July. 1903, but at the later date
no effort had been made to fulfill the obli-
cation.
Necessity and Revenge.
Actuated partly by necessity, partly by
revenge and partly by real civic interest
in the enterprise, the citizens now decided
to declare the $1,000 forfeited and to carry
out their threat of municipal ownership II
a sufficient vote could be obtained
West Seattle was at this time city OF
the fourth class, having a population of
more than 800 and less than 1,500. The
populist legislature of 1897 had enacted
statute authorizing cities OF all classes to
purchase or construct and operate light
Ing plans, water works and street rail-
ways" vote of the council was neces-
sary to submit the question to the people
and a three-fifths vote was necessary to au
thorize bonds.
1t was estimated that $4,000 would build
a mile of track, purchase two cars and in
SldiI the electric power. BESIDES the e. wv
forfeit there was $1,000 In the road fund
available for grading, so an election was
called to vote $4,000 bonds
Meantime bitter opposition to municipal
ownership developed in the community. 1t
has its center in the West Seattle Land
and Improvement Company, which owned
the water system and desired to secure
street railway franchise. The opposition
was supported by few wealthy residents
and by all those whose sympathies We're
with corporate interests and who desired
to forestall any such possible example or
civic opportunity as municipal street car
system would afford hot campaign was
fought and the bonds were carried by but
a single vote.
81, 600 cash forfeit was a s2,000. check and
that the Seattle Electric Company had
stopped its payment suit to compel
payment was carried to the state supreme
The first cont FACTORS who undertook the
grading worked two days and abandoned
the job The company that finally perform
ed the work wanted to stop short of the
mile, but the full mile was constructed
Two cars were built in Portland, Ore, ana
the service was installed.
The ferry company, which Is popuiariy
supposed to be identified with the land
company now refused TO give communication
tickets with the cars. insisting on o-csht
fare. The city made the claim tnat the
ferry slip was on a street and was there-
fore city property and again proved us
claim in court This brought the Terry
company to terms and an ARRANGEMENT WIS
made to furnish for 81 ten round Trips o ~
both the ferry and street car-half TO go -
the ferry and half to the city, making tne
fare on the street ear 2h cents-the lowest
fare in the United States.
Beginning the Service.
The first car carrying passengers over the
line was run on Christmas day, 1904. 1After
a few days run the service was interrupt
ed for short time to make needed ai. ,an1
tions in the plant Since February 1, iSoo,
the service has been continuous
For the first three months the enterprise
lost money. and during the second three
months lit paid expenses, but during the
third quarter it made $667 above operating