The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1909-10-19

Annexation will be the theme at
great mass meeting at the Com
mercial club tonight.
Puyallup will be there with a
brass band, committees from Park
land, Fern Hill. Steilacoom, Span
away, Milton and all the interven-
ing territory will be on hand to
take part in the discussion.
The boost in electric railway
rates has caused general upris-
ing of the entire rural popula-
tion, and nothing short of annex
alton and 6-cent fare will satisfy
them. They are willing to help
make this city of 10000, and
to do their share In making the
greater Tacoma IL Tacoma will do
her part.
All for Annexation.
Practically all the sections in
the circle from Steilacoom to
Puyallup and Milton have in pub
lie meetings declared for annex
alton, and 1t is expected to or
ganize the movement in some tan
gible shape for definite action at
the meeting tonight.
The leaders in the movem ent
went all over the surrounding
country to get together and come
In one district. Then the three
towns of Puyallup, Milton and
Steilacoom can be taken In by con-
solidation.
May Mean Municipal Ownership
No one seriously doubts but
that annexation will mean five
cent fares for the whole surround
ing country. The people are so
thoroughly aroused over the boost
in the rates that should the COM
pany attempt to maintain its high
rates after annexation it would
only mean the opening of strug-
gle which might not end until the
street car properties were owned
and operated by tn city.
2Iad the street car officials
known or even imagined the popu-
tlar1nprising that was to follow the
boost In rates, it is probable that
the Increase would never have
been put into effect. They realize
now, no doubt, that they started
something which they cannot stop,
and five-cent fares on the suburb
an lines are now staring them in
the face, while reduced rates on
the lnterurban are also being de-
manded.
| Means New Era.
And the people are i'm no mood
to tolerate opposition on the part
of public officials, certain social.
ed business men" or others. to
their just demand for lower fares
The boost In the rates means a
new era in the city's dealing with
the traction interests. 1t means
that any public official hereafter
who shows any suspicion of love
for the traction interests will
thereby forfeit his political life.
| No Compromise.
| The street car company has talk.
en- a strangle hold on the people
who are compelled to patronize it,
cars. The people are fighting
back with the only weapons al
their hands, and they mean to
keep up the fight until they
secure absolute satisfaction, not o
compromise agreement.
Interurban Towns Active.
The demand for a reduction In
fares has been taken up all along
the Interurban line, and the resi-
dents of Kent last night passed
resolutions calling upon the city
councils of Tacoma and Seattle to
aid them in the fight for lower
rates.
Other smaller towns nearer to
Seattle have taken similar action,
and plans for annexation are be-
ing made. The struggle has be-
come general, and never I'm the
history of the Northwest has there
been anything like the present
united effort on the part of the
people to secure justice from the
traction interests.
The people do not expect an
easy or early victory, but +
In a mood to fight. They
that the Traction cone,
boosting the rates has practically
confiscated their country homes,
and they may resort to confisca-
tion and municipal ownership, If
necessary, to gain their point.