Tacoma’s Water and Light Bond Issue Struck Down

Tacoma, May 18—Bonds to the extent of $2,150,000, ordered issued by a majority of votes for the purchase of the Tacoma Light and Water Company’s water and electric plant, were today adjudged illegal by Judge Parker of the superior court. The matter will be appealed to the supreme court. The court sustained a demurrer to the answer of the defendant and rendered a judgment enjoining the issue or sale of the bonds. Judge Parker was called upon to decide whether the purchase was contemplated on a basis of the city's assessed valuation for 1892 or 1893, and whether the notices of election were published according to law. The court held that the assessment was fixed when the board of equalization adjourned on March 27. Since the assessment for 1893 was less than the amount necessary to cover the proposed expenditure under the state-mandated 5 percent debt limit, the bonds were held illegal. Furthermore, the court found the city failed to provide the required thirty days of consecutive public notice prior to the election, having provided only twenty-six days.