Tacoma’s $1 Million Water Lawsuit Alleges City Hall Collusion
City Attorney Wickersham refiled Tacoma’s suit against the light and water company, alleging officials and company agents conspired to carry the election.
Tacoma, May 6.—Special.—City Attorney Wickersham today filed a second amended complaint in the suit of the city against the Tacoma Light and Water Company for $1,000,000 damages for selling the light and water plant to the city. The complaint is different only from the one recently knocked out in demurrer in that it does not allege the corruption of voters. It does allege, however, that there was collusion between city officials and agents of the company to carry the election and sell the plant.
“It does allege, however, that there was collusion between city officials and agents of the company to carry the election and sell the plant.”
The fight over Tacoma’s water and light plant was part of a national struggle over public ownership of utilities. Today, Seattle and Tacoma still argue over who controls water, power and the public purse—and whether elections are conducted fairly.
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