The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1915-04-29
City Council Takes Initial Step Looking Toward
Municipal Control Of Water Works and
Power Plants
SOME INTERESTING FACTS FROM CITY OF SEATTLE

same ratio. When the Municipal plant
was put in operation these rates were
Immediately cut in two. Numerous
reductions have been made since the
plant started, until the minimum rate
for residence charge is ive and one
half cents kilowatt hour, with rate
of two cents for all consumption over
IS kilowatt hours in one month. The
minimum rate also has been reduced
from one dollar month to fifty cents
a month.
1t has been necessary for the private
corporations to meet the various re-
ductions made by the city. The direct
result of that has been to squeeze
large quantities of water out of the
Puget Sound Traction Company stock.
1t is this continual forcing of rates
down to a reasonable basis that causes
the organs of this company to cry out
against our municipal light and power
plant.
They very rarely write anything
concerning our light plant without be-
moaning the burden that is being
placed upon the taxpayer. OF course,
you understand that if it really would
place tax upon the poor taxpayer
these corporations would be the last
to complain. 1t is because it accom-
plishes just the opposite, and places
more of the burden upon the corpora
tions and other wealthy interests,
where it properly belongs, that they
complain.
One purpose in the constant attacks
upon our light and power plant was to
influence voters in our last election.
March 3 Since Seattle abolished the
ward system, the corporations have
lost control of our City Council. The
election last fall appeared to have
decidedly reactionary trend, and it
was thought possible by carrying on
steady campaign of opposition to our
publicly owned utilities to elect three
councilmen of reactionary stripe. The
campaign carried on undoubtedly had
some influence, as the most reactions
ary and outspoken candidate against
municipal ownership received the
largest vote of any of the twenty-five
candidates in the primaries.
The reactionary forces were elated
at this result, and the majority felt
confident that the plans they had laid
would be successful. But the primaries
had the effect of arousing the progress
sive element in the city. Josiah Eol-
Inns, who received the largest Vote,
had been member of the Legislature
His record in that body was given
wide publicity, and an enthusiastic
campaign carried on in defense of our
publicly owned utilities. AS a result
OF this campaign, the tables were re-
versed in. the final election. Collins
was overwhelmingly defeated. The
most progressive municipal ownership
advocate of all the candidates was
elected, and with him two others who
we're the least objectionable Of those
who were in the final contest.
Quite number of questions invoiv-
ing our publicly owned utilities were
placed before the voters in the form
OF charter amendments and various
propositions. Some of these did not do
so well from the municipal standpoint
as we had hoped, but on the whole the
results were satisfactory, and showed
the public sentiment of this city
strongly progressive. One resolution
which was submitted in regard to our
light plant was calculated to show the
temper Of the people in regard to the
management of that institution, and
It was carried in our favor by a vote
Of two TO one.
Our water system, which is owned
by the city, is so completely entrench-
ed in the peoples favor that very little
opposition manifests itself against
that institution. 1t has been such an
unqualified success that any effort 10
attack it would meet with no favor
whatever. There are few cities, If any.
in the United States that have such a
magnificent water supply as the city
of Seattle. And when the distance
which it is carried is taken into con
sideration, there is probably no city in
the Union that furnishes water any
cheaper.
Our municipal street car system IS
only in its infancy, having been op-
Grated but few months. Ii is but
part of system, consisting of two
lines which are located in the outlay
ing districts. Until these lines have
been brought into the heart of the city
and some extensions made into out
lying districts, no judgment can be
passed as to how successful Il will
be. Because the Traction Company
and other corporate interests realize
that it will accomplish in the trans
portation of passengers what our light
plant has done in its field, every OBJ
sfacle that can be devised has been
used 70 block its completion.
] OLIVER T. ERICKSON.