City Leaders Halt Expansion of Gas Utilities
Seattle aldermen unanimously reject new gas franchises, arguing the city has no immediate need for further utility 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.
Gas franchises were under discussion by the board of aldermen sitting as a committee of the whole last night, and all propositions from corporations were rejected by a unanimous vote. This action was based upon a motion which recited that there was no immediate necessity for further franchises. Following this, the board moved to approve assessment rolls for Johnson, Lincoln, Aldine, and Drexel avenues and Gould street.
“This action was based upon a motion which recited that there was no immediate necessity for further franchises.”
Municipal control over utility franchises was a major source of civic friction in the late 19th century, setting the stage for the public utility battles that would eventually lead to the creation of Seattle City Light.
From readers
No comments yet. If you know something about this story — a correction, a family memory, a source — it belongs here.