Everett Trades Council Endorses Public Water System
Organized labor throws its weight behind municipal control of Everett's water supply to protect public resources.
Wednesday evening's session of the Everett Trades Council was called to order by President Stambaugh with a fair attendance of delegates. Delegate Roberts spoke at some length on the recent move on the part of members of the city council to establish a municipal water system and warmly commended the work of Councilman Philips in that connection. Motion prevailed that the council endorse the plan of having the city own and operate its own water system and the secretary was instructed to send a letter of thanks to Councilman Philips for his interest in the project. The council also passed a resolution protesting the handover of public coal lands and power sites to private corporations, urging congress to preserve these assets for future generations.
“Resolved, That the Everett Trades Council enters its most emphatic protest against giving the people's property to the great corporations.”
Everett's battle over public versus private utility ownership is a century-old conflict. While the city eventually established a successful public water system, debates over resource management, privatization, and corporate influence remain central to Snohomish County politics today.
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