The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1923-03-26
THREATEN TO RETARD
GROWTH OF CITY

These two handicap. 20 the opera
ton OF the street railway system.
taken together. are 20 serious tina,
they menace both the adequacy %
the service and the fulfiimont OF tho
contract. They threaten 20 rotard
tho naturally slow growth OF tho
city. particularly thofo sections not
now adequately served. such as the
cowcn park district, the wide valley
south OF youngstown. the southern
part OF Beacon Hiil. and many rim
liar sections They preseEc an ulu-
mats resort 10 tho general tar fund
10 mako up deficits. under any rate
Of fare. high or low. since the cor
rect rate OF fare-ths one which
would give the best service and pro-
duce tho most incoms-couid not pay
excessive fixed charges. mako good
deficient operating fund. nor main
tain an unstable aud irresponsible
management
DYES PLAN
rs Tw0F0LD
In view OF the facts and eonGl.
lonas above set forth. tho following
program Is respectfully suggested
for tho study and consideration OF
the council. tho taxpayers, tho bond.
holders. and all others concerned:
First-Refund tho present out.
standing issue OF b per cent revenue
bonds. OF short maturity. with n
new issue OF longer term. lower In.
tcrest bonds having n basis OF SUI.
ficient firmneas 10 mako them mar.
kctnbie, such bonds 10 be retired
seriaily at such rate as 10 bring
tho total fixed charges below %
por cent OF the gross operating rovc-
nue. which is indicated by tho pres.
cnt ratio OF fare and operating sta.
iistica. AT tho same time discard
definitely and for all time any writ.
Ing off OF supposed excessive first
cost under tho nnme OF dcprecia.
ton. and either stand by tho bar
gain M mado or recover any fraud.
ulent exceas thru tho courts.
FIVE MEMBERS
ON BOARD
second-Establlsh board OF d..
rectors for the system consisting Of
an experienced street railway cxecu.
tive. highly competent public
service attorney. and experienced
street railway accountant. and cleo.
trical engineer and mechanical en-.
gineer experienced in railway con.
structlon. operation and mninte-
nance. These directors should DO
selected by tho civil service board
on definite qualification fixed by
tho council. and appointed by tho
mayor with the consent OF the coun.
ell.
Thcso directors should be charged
with full and complete responsibility
for the street railway system. sub.
ject TO tho minimum control by
either tho mayor or the council.
which IN compatible with the pro.
lection OF tho public interest and is
UObNlUlF Allf NiiN' tbHeAiAu'
ton. Their term OF office should be
during good behavior or satisfactory
performance, and protected by nll
possible means from political inter
ference. Their compensation should
be fixed by the council. and might
DO limited. in most cases. TO fees
for services actually rendered and
attendance ut directors meetings,
MAY BE LEGAL
DIFFICULTIES
II II fully realized that there are
numerous and difficult legal inhibi.
lions 90 the immediate enactment OF
such plan as here suggested.
None Of these arc OF such n fundn.
mental character az TO DO insuper.
able, however and II program OF
enabling legislation Ia worked out
during the next two years, and is
presented TO tho stntc Legislature at
It's next session, or In initiated DO.
foro that time. the final success
win bo we'll worth the study and
effort required.
4 ty..., f,,liy