The City vs. The Railroad King
After two years of political brinkmanship, a local newspaper claims victory in forcing Jim Hill to negotiate for Tacoma's rail expansion.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Jim Hill has 'swapped horses.' A year and a half ago, his manager, Mr. Nutt, said he wouldn't, but the Times said he would and called for a petition in the streets at the city hall. The petition came and the council was forced to rescind its gift and the greatest battle in the history of the city started. The list of concessions made to the city shows what has been accomplished for the people. Jim Hill not only 'swapped horses' but he had to give some thoroughbreds. When it is considered that all the shrewdness and trickery known to foxy Mr. Hill has been employed in this contest to get what the railways wanted with the least possible concessions to the city, the results are not bad. The important feature is that the people have learned their power. They have met the greatest railway king on earth, and they have shown him that hereafter the rights of the public must be consulted in Tacoma.
“They have met the greatest railway king on earth, and they have shown him that hereafter the rights of the public must be consulted in Tacoma.”
This battle for civic leverage against a corporate titan mirrors modern Tacoma's ongoing tension between neighborhood autonomy and massive infrastructure projects. The 'swapping of horses' language captures a time when public power was measured in specific negotiated concessions against railroad franchises.
From readers
No comments yet. If you know something about this story — a correction, a family memory, a source — it belongs here.