The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1919-04-28
LEHERsTnTHEE EDITOR
MAKING cAR LINES PAY
BY Webster

The following letter was sent TO Councilman Eres
son. ehatsman committee public usiiltc- ny the writer
q have read with considerable the suggestions
madc ~ the Chamber Of Commerce that the cit.
car lines should be made aef tupporting. by ref
supporting these gentlemen tina; out 81 the
from operating the lines there should es
raid into the general fund all charges Including
taxes which would have been paid by the traction
company had $, continued In control Of the lines In
other words general fund should not be charged
with tft services. tsb extra cost
quarters for operating force ca cos, Of carrying
policemen and nr~fnen. and that the street railway
should reimburse fund for itr ip~s 81 the
franchise general fund paid BY the traction
company We would all be very much pleased 70
see the municipal lines operated such profit tina,
the general fund could be compensated for THESE
charges and losses and az the time amortizs
their Goa, the cit II would seem. however. that
such prom, he anticipated In view 81 the fact
that the traction company. with careful management
had for years been losing money ON it, Seattle
railway properties. Under such circumsisnetF
the Chamber Of commercr has rfccipa'ed an issue
OF municipal policy as railway operation and
Il w be for you and the city council "a answer IN
the affirmative OF the following questions shall
city in operating the lines stand toward the
public IN the position the traction company
and by raising fares hope operate the lines with
profit. operating charger amoriixe the purchase
price ard reburse the general fund for all charges
or losses rs.iouFy charKsabie 90 the traction
pany: or. shall city maintain grounds OF public
policy n fivecent fare -sxtend It's lines 90 give
to public the service denied BY the traction
pany and pay out OF the general fund for any de
fciency thus incurred the same principles that
now paying out OF the XfncfA fund- part oi tue
cost Of the trunk highways The Chamber OF Com
msrce committee would have YOU the fret
question the affirmative and negative the second
dislike paying taxes much. yet looking at The
matter with due regard 10 the future growth and
prosperity 81 the city must take issue with the
gentlemen and suggest that you answer the first
question in the negative and affirm the SECOND.
I'VE have taken erea, pride for many years In the
fact that Seattle a healthy city We have
had u tenement problem. on account OF pleasant
climate well claim 10 be the city OF the
Great Outdoors where II Is possible for family Of
small home with real grass around
IL for the kids to play and fresh air for them to
breathe. Eighty per cent OF population
expect home except In the suburbs where
real estate be secured at reasonable prices To
raise street fares is to place tax the small
home To my mind II IL the paramount duty
OF the city 10 aid and assist tho man Of small
means In every way to his home and To raise his
children In healthy and contented surroundings.
Another condition which must he considered in ar
irving at transportation policy is the social un
known BoIshcvism. This creed il largely
fosered and propagated by itfherant work
ers II very foolish think tina, their social policy
be downcd by merely abusing them putting n
few Of them in jail The best shield against such doc
tfines Is shield OF educated and contened working
men who anchored TO citty's progress and
safety. That anchor IL the home. -
1T much a question OF high taxes any more
but n question of getting dollars worth of public
service for each dollar OF taxes. High have
to stay. All that ask in return Is cf
fcient public service There must be no waste nor
extravaganza But are met with Unavoidable
The people who tho street be first con.
sldered In weighing their claims the future health
prosperity and contentment OF the great OF our
citizenry Is The first consideration.
respectfully,
EDGAR ]. WRIGHT"