The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1906-10-26

Its street ear service than was actual
ly the case.
But opponents of municipal own
ership had to combat sentiment in
its favor which had been fostered for
many years. This sentiment had cry
stalized in the nomination for Mayor
III January of this year of William
Hickman Moore, Democratic and
prominent lawyer. The platform on
which he stood was devoted cxclu-
sivcly to the advocacy of municipal
ownership and operation of the street
railways of Seattle. The platform
declared that no new franchises or
renewals should be granted, except
after submission the direct vote OF
the people; that no futhcr grants
should be made to the Company now
operating in Seattle, except for minor
recipient was asked to sign and re-
turn. About 10000 Of these were
sent out; and 1900 favorable respon-
ses were received.
A statement of the financial con-
dition Of the city was prepared, show
ing the debt which it already carried;
The debt which it would have to carry
i'll order to have adequate water fac
ilities, and the debt which was pro-
posed to fix upon the city in addition,
for an unnecessary experiment. The
tremendous increase of Seattle s debt
[ within three years was set forth by
this debt statement, which was mail
cd to all the registered voters of the
city.
The League next secured the ser
vice of several competent speakers,
and these it furnished to local i'm,
connections and necessary extensions
to residence districts, and that there
should be submitted to the people
at the earliest date practicable a plan
for system of municipal lines to be
constructed from money raised on
bonds, based on the credit of the sys-
tenn and it's revenues. Mr.. Moore was
elected, SO that when the referendum
| was presented the opponents of muni-
cipal ownership had to start with the
initial verdict of the people already
apparently against them.
Opposition Gets Together.
Thus handicapped, the first step
was to organize the opposition. This
was done by the formation Of the
Seattle Economic League. J. M.
Frink, former Mayor Of Seattle,
and man of wealth and high stand
ing, was elected President. with John
II. McGraw, former Governor of the
State of Washington, as right-hand
man. The League decided on cam
paign Of education, and although it
was late in the field it pressed its
work with great vigor. It's plans and
methods we're decidedly unique.
It first issued an address to the
voters, i'll which it clearly set forth
the reasons of it's opposition to the
street railway proposition. Enclos-
ed with the address was postal card
addressed to the League. This the
provenment clubs and other bodies
considering the Municipal ownership
problem. A pamphlet was prepared,
showing the improvements which the
city's growth rendered imperative.
and it was pointed out to the voter
that because of the debt limit choice
would have to be made between these
and ~. municipal railway expert
mcnt. This was circulated in the dis
tricts most in need Of more water and
| more sewers.
A Campaign Of Education.
Conferences were held with the edi-
tors Of local newspaper, to syste~
m"tiza The newspaper campaign. The
Seattle Times entered heartily into all
plans for a systematic campaign OF
education, and for two weeks pre-
ceding the election practically gave
over it's news and editorial columns
to arguments furnished by the League
6: prepared by purchased space in
the newspapers, and began therein IL
series Of "Daily Talks to Voters" !"
which continued until election day.
In these talks it was aimed to simpli~
fv i'n arguments and to present each
lay one good conclusive reason fo:
voting against the municipal street
railway proposition.
| ,tt o,,f,