The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1909-10-18

Tell the suburban communi-
ties to get busy and annex to Ta-
coma, and we will see that they
get justice on the street railway
fare proposition" said Assistant
City Attorney Frank II. Baker
this morning, in discussing the
legal phase of the street railway
proposition as It would affect the
suburbs after they join the city.
"In many of the old ordinances
granting franchises there was no
fare limitation. but in some of the
later ones there was a stipulation
for five-cent fare. If the COM
pany endeavors to resist five-cent
fare to the suburbs after they
come into the city II will mean a
fight in the court, and we will go
after them, and we will win. The
ordinance known as the settle
ment ordinance" will have bear
ing on the case" said Mr.. Baker,
referring to the ordinance passed
and agreed to by the street rail-
way interests few years ago.
Section 5 of this ordinance is
printed above.
This agreement was made by
the company and the city after
the city and company had been
engaged In a ro wover bridges
and other matters, in adjustment
|of their differences.
According to Mr.. Baker, IL the
company attempts to play unfair
with the outlying territory after
it annexes the city will have plenty
of means to employ to bring the
company to terms.
eve will go after them Just as
Mayor Campbell did on the bridge
question. and we will bring them
to time,' said Mr.. Baker.
Precedents Favor Scent Fare.
There are plenty of precedents
to indicate that the company has
felt in the past that It was under
obligations to give the citizens OF
Tacoma five-cent fare. The fare
on all cars going to the new terri
tory recently annexed has been cut
to five cents since the annexation,
and while lawyers are not inclined
to say off-hand that annexation
would carry with 1t five-cent fare
without fight in court, the as
sistant city attorney says he is
confident that justice can be en-
forced for the outlying territory
when 1t comes into the city, as the
city has many ways of making 1t
decidedly warm for the street
railway company.
"The fact that the company is
now operating on a county fran
chise would not alter conditions
If the territory comes in. They
take the county franchises in face
of the conditions which presup-
pose growth of cities and exten-
sion Of city limits, and they will
have to abide by city regulations
when the territory comes in" said
Mr.. Baker.
The boosted rates went into eff
feet yesterday, and noticeable de-
crease in travel was the result.
Everybody who had to travel,
however, had to pay the increased
fare. but there were some loud
protests.
The greater part of Fern Hill
people are walking to Midway,
the present city limits. where they
take the car. thus getting a five
cent fare.
Summit for Annexation.
Summit is for annexation.
She Is for it unanimously. and
with loud voice.
Summit people wanted to be
fair with the street railway and
not ask much, so to cultivate q
good feeling they subscribed to a
fund and built nice waitine
room for the Stone Webster elec-
tric line at that place. costing
$3.50.
Now Summit has been hit right
between the eyes, like the rest OF
the Tacoma suburbs.
II she can break into Tacoms
with crowbar she will do it.