The Streetcar Franchise Seattle Threatened to Cancel
Council set a June showdown over the Seattle City Railway's failure to double-track Yesler Avenue and Jackson Street—while another line asked for a longer franchise.
Seattle's city council moved to strip the Seattle City Railway Company of its franchises after the company failed to double-track Yesler Avenue and Jackson Street as required by ordinance. Dr. Sweeney, chairman of the railroad committee in the board of aldermen, introduced a joint resolution giving notice that on June 21, 1895, the council would meet in joint convention to consider revoking all rights and franchises now owned by the company. The resolution passed unanimously.
The house of delegates passed a similar notice, setting June 24, 1895, as the date for the council to meet and revoke the franchise because the company had failed to double-track the Yesler Avenue line within five years from the date the franchise was granted. The notice described the company as successor to the Lake Washington company.
In another franchise matter, the Union Trunk Line, through its president, M. H. Young, petitioned the council to extend its franchise from twenty-five to fifty years, abrogating a proviso along its route and undertaking to pay the city 5 per cent of its gross receipts. The petition was referred without discussion.
“On June 21, 1895, the city council will meet in joint convention to consider the question of revoking all rights and franchises now owned by the company.”
Then as now, cities bargained with private transit operators over route promises and public accountability. Seattle's 1895 threat to revoke a streetcar franchise for unbuilt double tracks prefigures modern fights over rail service, franchise agreements and whether transit is a public good or a private concession.
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