The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1909-10-29

possession OF the DBnl IneduS Vi du-
vertising. What town needs is to
find some way to get strangers to talk
about it, and the proposition l sub
nit for lighting this town would GER
tainly do that. There would not be
a town between Seattle and St. Paul
lighted in that way. People would
begin to talk about Leayenworth as
a progressive town, and sooner or
later would come to investigate our
resources. Then is the time for a
live commercial club.
Then, again, if the town owned
its water and light the money now
going into the Golfers of the company
would go into the town treasury; and,
if the people would submit to the
same rates they are paying the COM
pany, we would have surplus which
we could use in beautifying the town.
For instance, we could place on Front
street water fountains to be lighted
up by colored lights when desired;
we could line our streets with shade
trees; buy and improve park, and
many other things the people could
enjoy and which would advertise the
town thruout the length and breadth
of the land.
Corporation control Of public utili-
ties creates diSSension and discord
among the people. 1t creates fac
tions who will take sides-some for
private, some for public ownership.
Let US take charge of these utilities
ourselves, and dissension and discord
will disappear; there will be com
munity of interests in the success of
our undertaking; the people will be-
come united, and Leavenworth will
see such an era Of prosperity as we
have never even dreamed of.
Councilman R. I. King asked how
long Leavenworth wanted to wait for
all the blessings indicated by Council
man Woldenberg. These things are
desirable; but the city is not willing to
wait three or FIVE years in darkness.
We want light now. 1t would be i'm
possible to bond the city for $35, 900
on the present taxable property. Here
were 125 taxpayers out OF 200 who
have petitioned the city council to
close this contract; and, while some Of
the councilmen may think the price IS
too high, yet, as some of them go out
of office so soon, it seemed to him the
council ought to accede to their wishes
and give them lights now.
The petition was read, and the names
of the siigners-125 of the 200 tax
payers. Only three to whom the paper
was presented refused to sign, and one
recalled his signature.
Councilman R. T. King moved to
reject the contract, which was done by
unanimous vote. This seemed sur
prising; but the reporter, who did not
know the wheels within wheels, noticed
no signs of dismay among interested
parties, and he awaited developments.
Mrs. A. M. Lindsey by letter protested
the building Of a sidewalk, on account
of her inability to pay. Her protest
was laid on the table, to be takenup later.
Marshal Teshera named Cheel Nc
Kinsey to be deputy marshal, and the
nomination was Immediately confirmed
by the council.
Bills amounting to SLY were or
dered to be paid.
The Commercial street sidewalk ordi-
nance was passed, despite the protest
of Mrs. Lindsey. The ordinance may
be read in another part of this paper.
Councilman Woldenberg brought up
the matter of itinerant merchants. He
said it was unfair to local business men
to allow without hindrance any one to
come into the town and sell hundreds
of dollars worth of goods, get the coin
and take it away. This trade belonged
TO home merchants. Some means ought
to be devised to prevent the injustice.
Councilman R. T. King coincided in
these views. Almost every town and
city in the state prohibits itinerant
tradesmen. He suggested that Leav-
enworth demand a deposit of SIS or
500 from these people, to be returned
if they remained in business here three
months or longer.
And an ordinance was ordered to be
drawn covering the case.
The cause OF the calm on the rejec-
ton OF the first lighting contract was
then revealed by Councilman Mccoy
rising to remark that the city could not
afford to let the lighting proposition go
by at this time. He offered new con-
tract, which covered the same ground
as the old, with some concessions on
the part of the company.
The new contract provides for hive
cluster lights on Front street and forty
one incandescent lights on side streets
the agreement to run for three year;
instead of five. and cutting out the
average" life Of the lights. The price
remains the same, and totals about 81,
500 a pear.
I