The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1918-06-29
PRES. LEONARD
/. IN CONFERENCE
ON CAR SERVICE

Indications Saturday were that tho
city and the Puget Sound Traction.
Light & Power Co. ar. going 10 get
together on a basis of exchange Of
privileges, looking toward giving the
city better street car service.
Officials OF tho traction company
displayed less disposition Co scorn
city proposals after the conference
OF Friday. when Capt j. y. Rlain. 10
cal representative OF the shipping
board. summoned them to meet with
city officials In his office.
President A. W. Leonard, OF the
company. met with Mayor Hanson,
Superintendent OF Public ttllities
Murphlne and Corporation Counsel
Caldwell In a second conference In
tn. mayors office Saturday. tho first
conference having taken place Fri.
day afternoon. after the government
had had It's say
II IL generally Understood. altho
none Of tho conferoes will talk. that
Capt lllain passed IN. buck"
Nquar-ly up Co the traction company
To get together with the city and i'm.
prove service for ahipyrd workers.
or the government would take over
control of tho whole street ear Hyn.
tenn Of the city.
We're going 90 get better aerv.
ice" said Mayor Hanson. enlgmatle
ally. Saturday
IL IN believed that tho city viii en-.
nc, the privilege OF running It's mu.
nieipai cars on Third ave. at least
during tho war. rs one condition Of
any bargain with the company. This
was suggested ms a condition IN tho
outline Of an agreement submitted
Friday BY Corporation Counsel cald.
well 10 the council
Hacking up the city IN itr contcn.
ton that tho Puget sound Traction
Light 4 Power Co. should pay TIA
obligations Ia tho city before cxpect
Ing favorr In tho way of relief. tho
state supreme court has handed
down a decision confirming tho supc
rior court decision In tho 1915 : per
cent gross earnings case. declaring
the company must pay.
The 1917 gross earnings tar case
remains pending befor, the supreme
court. but with victory for the city
practically certain. Tn. company
put up lts most stubborn fights ia
the gross earnings cases Corpora
ton Counsel Caldwell ard his assist
ant. Walter y. Meters. defending the
city. Tho Judgment was for tn. fun
amount Of tss1s7.Ts. and tho com
pany Was forced 10 put Up a $40 900
bond Tor appeal
Tho supreme court holds that IN.
gross earnings tax IL constitutional
not In confiic; with public service
commission law. and knockA on, the
oompany'a oountrrelain- for dam
ages
Another decision against tho
Puget Sound Traction. Light & Pow
sf Co. jus, In time 10 supper, the
city's contentious In tn. effort 90 get
the company 10 i've up 10 it, fran.
ch!se ohllga lions or make concessions
for special relief. came Saturday to
Assistant Corporation Counsel Meier
Tho city IL entitled To a p~remp
tiny order. compelling the company
10 pave between tia tracks and IL
inches on either aide Of them on
FIRST ave. r.. between Stacy and
Horton sta. tho superior court has
ruled In tho r~oond paving case.
started over year ago.
Judge Mcintoah refused 20 enter
an order and stayed Judgment n year
ago. saying he would avail, tho Dc
clHion % the supreme cour, as TO
whether tho public a-rvico commits.
sion could set aside franchise ohllga
tons.