The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1922-08-19
Replies to
Mrs. Bannister

Editor The Star.
Tho letter Of Jennie w. Bannin
ter IN your iaaue OF Aug IS nhows
a complete misappfehennlon Of the
facts.
! am fairly well acquainted with
all tho citizens launching tho recall
movement and I cannot think Of
one person among them who ilvee
In Bellevue TO avoid city taxea. All
property owners In that small com.
munity feel that they are fairly
we'll taxed where they are. and DO
not need 10 remove elsewhere to DO
their duty by the county treasury
They live here because they like
tho place. They have no idea Of
trying 10 vie with Seattle Ia wealth
or importance. and N. recall is
launched for quite other reasons
than that Of making expense 10 the
county.
Indeed. n successful. n may save
tho county great expense hereafter.
We ara told that Seattle pays a.
per cent Of the county taxes We
seem 10 have heard this statement
hafore. Assuming. for the sake Of
argument. that Seattle will pay a.
per cent OF the recall expenses. shs
might be able 20 support the heavy
burden II Ecod came % Il.
We cannot believe that the people
~ Seattle are 70 narrow and 20
blind 20 their best interests as 20
be willing to shut themselves off
from tho surrounding country. aiiho
such disposition exist.
The president Of one os the
largest bankn. on being asked wha,
would be the best thing for Seattle,
II said 20 have replied. The open.
Ing up and development Of tho
country east Of here" The money
nrent by the county for roads and
bridges Il net expended for the sake
Of this or that little community.
aitho n Is incidentally. Of great
benefit 20 all tho peopia- The PEG
PIE Of Seattle make AZ much use
~ the reads 70 tho east Of Lake
Washington rs tho farmers DO. DO
We not all help with taxes 10 keep
Hnoauaimie paAs open for sutomo
hiirsy
Mrs. panni-t~r's information
about that ssoo. 900 yearly dcfici;
for ferries II a. obsolete a. Mr..
voiiynn geography. We 90 not
know where the bulk Of that ttoo.
900 went. but the grand jury had
an opinion. We DO know positively
that ss.ioo az n was charged 20
tho county for the painting OF a
small tub Of boat. seldom. n ever.
used. that received neither painting
nor repairs that year. The amount
said 20 have been expended would .
have covered her with at least ten |
coats Of paint
~ Il true that not small minor.
iiy. but a big majority Of right. !
minded citizens hope 10 see the fer.
rics put hack under the control OF I
the county board. but not under
creating q deficit OF
100000 a year.
Tho statement that the people Of
Seattle. by united action. brought
pressure upon Tho commissioners 20
lease the ferries. Is not true. but
the reverse. some people may have
believed the deficit story. II r.
true that the commissioners never
announced decision 20 those wait.
ing untii after being closcted for
a long time with ono man. and that
this man II believed to be the real
lessee OF the Lake Washington fer
riea. Perhaps other miilionaires re.
fnaincd incognlto behind the curtain
All tho leading Seattle newspapers
advised urgently against tho leasing. II
and tho commissioners decided not 70
lease. but this decision was soon reie-
gated 20 the chamber OF broken
promises.
In writing this letter. I am no, In.
by the desire TO see my n
name on tho first page OF a newspa.
por without paying for advertising n
Mrs. Bannistcr should learn that Il II
not always fair 10 Judge others by
ones self. have lived too long 10
caro- much for cheap notoriety.
MARY RArNE.
poiievue wash