The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1917-10-20
CHAMBER TELLS
POSITION ON CAR
LINE SITUATION

Editor The star The trustees
Of the Seattle Chamber OF Com.
merce and Commercial Club have
taken no position in regard TO
whether tho city should or should
not extend tho Municipal street
railway at this time TO Ballard. Tho
public has had no opportunity 10
express itself on that question In
connection with tho present cxten-
sion. In fairness. II should be said
that such a proposed extension was
rejected by the people two years
ago.
We furnish you the above facts
because your editorial on this sub.
ject was apparently based upon a
Misunderstanding OF the facts. and
We know that The Star wishes TO
be fair. and especially that {,
wishes to be constructive in all
matters that affect the future OF
Seattle.
The city council has gone ahead
with this extension at an estimated
cost OF $50. 900 for construction and
equipment. In spite OF the fact that
the city railway fund il $3.50. 900 in
debt.
The city council at first prupos-
ed to transfer a part OF the expense
OF this construction from the light
fund. and then from the general
fund. Both transfers were declared
Illegal by the corporation counsel
In the face Of these opinions. the
city council Is undertaking to do
the construction on this extension
by the indirect appropriation %
funds. That II. $4,000 has been
appropriated from the Ballard
bridge fund for that portion OF the
work. and the construction on the
Market street extension f. being
done by street department labor.
and paid for out of the street de
partment funds.
The position OF our taxation bu.
reau IL that any subterfuge that
may be resorted TO In the handling
Of public funds is dangerous TO the
public welfare. and that this pro.
cedure should be stopped. II illegal
II the city council is proceeding 10.
kNitF hliV FIbHflits TUG hEAARU vi
the bureau will be without effect
The taxation bureau Ia not AZ.
tempting 20 pass upon the desIra-
blllty OF making street railway
extension 20 Ballard. That is a
business question to be settled by
the people OF Seattle.
The taxation bureau feels that
now ia time when every dollar OF
local expenditure should be held
under close control There IA need
TO concentrate all our resources
upon the business OF war. and
neither money nor labor-both OF
which are in great need by the ma.
tional goyernment-should be dis
bursed on local undertakings. ex.
/ cept In the doing OF work that Is
manlfestly greatly needed by the
people OF the city
think ! am voicing tho senti.
ments OF our taxation bureau and
our board OF trustees when ! ex-
press the opinion that many unfor.
tunate elements OF discord have
been allowed 10 creep into our To-
cal traction situation. and that the
city council and the officials OF the
Puget Sound Traction. Light Il
| Power company might well recog-
nize that we are passing thru a
period OF national and local emery.
ency. II would certainly seem TO
! be for the GOOD Of the city for all
| parties to get together In a room
4 and try TO agree upon con.
structive policy OF dealing with our
street railway situation that will
provide needed service for portions
OF the city that are now almost
without service and that would
straighten out the unfortunate con.
troversy that has been in progress
during recent months
This last is not in any way an
expression OF the policy of our or
Ranization. but In wish that
think Is echoed by the great major.
lty OF the people OF the city.
Yours very truly.
GORDON G. CORBALEY.
Executive Secretary.