Whatcom and Fairhaven Almost Become One City — but Fairhaven Balked
A proposed merger of the two bay towns raised questions of debt, water and electric power, and who would control the new city.
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.
WHATCOM, Feb. 16.—[Special.]—The question of the consolidation of Whatcom and Fairhaven is the chief topic of conversation in both places this week, the preponderance of sentiment in Whatcom being strongly in favor of the proposition, while it seems to be equally strongly opposed in Fairhaven. There is really little basis for hope that anything can be accomplished now toward the union of the two places, although it would seem that such a union ought to materially enhance the growth and prosperity of both.
The opposition of Fairhaven is attributed to several causes. The present population of the town is less than one-half that of Whatcom, and the aggregate population of the two places is not enough at present to make a consolidated city of the second class. Fairhaven people fear that they would be hopelessly in the minority in the council and entirely at the mercy of Whatcom in the matter of expenditures for public improvements, location of public buildings and distribution of offices. While professing to look forward to the time when there shall be one city of the bay, they say they will preserve their independence in the matter of government until conditions are offered on terms more advantageous to them than now seem possible.
There is no disposition at present here to give up the advantages of Fairhaven. Those who favor consolidation may do so on the broad ground that where such communities are so near together more could be accomplished by the progressive towns of the two places uniting under a new name.
Fairhaven's assessed valuation is $5,000,000. The administration of municipal affairs has been much more extravagant there than it has been here. The cost of electric lighting there has been and is much greater proportionately, and where Whatcom, even previous to the purchase of the water works, paid nothing for fire protection and for the public schools and city offices, Fairhaven pays $300 per month for its public water service. Nelson Bennett controls both the electric light and water companies.
Whatcom's water supply comes from Lake Whatcom and is much superior to that of Fairhaven, although the latter place has a much more substantial system of pipes and hydrants. The sewer system of Fairhaven also is far superior to that of Whatcom. This place has free delivery mail service, which would be extended to Fairhaven in the event of consolidation. From the standpoint of the people here there are many arguments in favor of a union, but still very little hope is entertained that the forthcoming conference between the two councils, to take place Saturday, will result in any good.
“There is really little basis for hope that anything can be accomplished now toward the union of the two places, although it would seem that such a union ought to materially enhance the growth and prosperity of both.”
The Whatcom-Fairhaven merger fight was really a fight over who would pay for growth and who would control the water and electric franchises. Bellingham was eventually consolidated in 1903, absorbing Whatcom, Fairhaven and other towns. Today's regional-governance debates over utilities, debt and annexation still echo this 1893 argument.
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