The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1910-01-08
FARE
is REDUCED
PEOPLE HAVE "WHIP HAND ON LINE AND
ARE READY FOR SHOWDOWN UP TO
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TO ACT NOW

Whenever the Stone-W Webster concern asks for
another franchlse-a franchise that it really must
have-then the city will be in position to demand.
and secure the five cent fare within the corporate
limits. If the settlement agreement now being
tried out in court fails to bring the relief then the
city may have to wait until such time as the trac-
ton trust needs another grant.
But why should the people wait, why should
they be compelled to pay the boosted rates until the
city can secure the desired toe hold'' the trac
tion concern, when the county right today has a
strnge hold which if pressed would bring the Stone
Webster combine to terms on at least one suburban
line?
The county commissioners have before them
the franchise for the Stone Webster short line to
Puyalup. The line is already built Two hundred
thousand dollars have been spent, say the street
officials The commissioners have the legal and
the moral right; moreover, it is their duty to
spect the peoples demand, and to insert in that
franchise clause requiring a fifteen-cent round
trip fare between Tacoma and Puyallup.
There should be delay or hesitation.
Puyallup officials declare that the street
pany promised them the ffteen-cent fare, but in
stead boosted it higher The people of this commu-
nifty and its suburbs are convinced that fifteen
cent fare to the three farthest suburbs namely
Puyallup, Spanaway and Steilacoom is high enough.
They are ready to fight for 5-cent fare even, and
now the peoples county officials have it within
their power to the reduced rate on the prin-
cpal suburban line
and dilly -dalying by the commissioners this
point?
The Times believes not
The bluff of the Stone Webster to tear
up the tracks if the low fare is demanded is not
taken seriously by anyone, apparently, except the
commissioners. Moreover, the people of Puyallup
are ready to call the bluff. They ready for a
Showdown" in this fight for just rates from the
traction interests And right here where the peo-
pie have the whip hand is the place to make it.
There is no occasion whatever for the commits
siOners to wait until the railway commission makes
its report. That has no bearing on this The
people of the suburbs fighting for low fares.
Here they have their only opportunity at present to
exact their demands and it's up to the county
missoners to stand pat for the fifteencent fare
Let's have showdown"
Let the Stone Webster concern make good its
bluff
The federal court today holds that it has juris-
diction in the of the city against the R. P.
to COMPEL the granting of the ivecent fare That
means long drawn out legal battle and is another
strong argument in favor of drastic and immediate
action in the "short line' franchise matter. The
people should let the county commissioners know
their demands at once in most unmistakable
manner.
Let the Stone Webster concern grant the fifteen
cent fare or have its tracks over the county roads
torn up The Stone Webster bondholders have
$500 900 invested in that lne and they won't stand
for it to remain idle very long