Tacoma’s $2 Million Water Fight
Businessmen told the Post-Intelligencer they opposed a city purchase of water and electric plants, while dangling a railroad deal from W. Wright.
TACOMA, Feb. 27.—[Special.]—A large number of business men were interviewed today and show that a majority of them are opposed to the expenditure of $2,150,000 by the city at this time for water and electric light plants and the improvements necessary to operate them. A majority also believe that if W. Wright gives a bond and sufficient guarantee that he will build from the sale of the bonds a railroad connecting Tacoma with his Eastern Washington and Oregon system, the taxpayers will allow him $500,000 or so, as they consider the plant not worth over $1,000,000. As to business opposition, about all but those interested in the sale, or directly interested in aiding another railroad, oppose the proposed purchase. Several deny ownership. Many who hitherto were reticent on the subject were interviewed by the POST and made a statement of facts and defined their position.
“A majority of them are opposed to the expenditure of $2,150,000 by the city at this time for water and electric light plants.”
Tacoma’s 1893 fight over a $2 million municipal water and electric plant is the same argument cities have today about public ownership, private utilities and what a city gets in exchange for a franchise.
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