The City's High-Stakes Power Struggle

The Tacoma Railway & Power Co. is just now engaged in a big game of bluff with the city. It wants a franchise to sell power in Tacoma, which ultimately will permit it to charge the city extortionate rates. It objects to the proviso that it shall be obliged to bid for its lighting at any time upon a basis not exceeding one and one-fourth cents per kilowatt hour. It wants the privilege of bidding higher, although Charles H. Baker is now supplying the city with current at eighty-four hundredths of a cent and wants to continue his contract at that figure. Having these objects in view, the T. R. & P. withdraws its application for a franchise to sell power in Tacoma, and then circulates tales that the city is going to the bow-wows because manufacturers cannot get power, the available supply being now deficient. It fails to call attention to the fact that Baker has now one thousand horse power for sale in Tacoma and can find no takers. If the T. R. & P. can work its game through and get up a sentiment in favor of allowing it a more liberal franchise for purposes of extortion, it will have accomplished what it desires. It has too good a thing already; its street car lines are beginning to pay a handsome profit. It has double the volume of patronage that it had three years ago. But it is not satisfied. Like the hog in the orchard, it goes running and grunting after every apple it sees, although already filled nearly to bursting.