seventies the representatives of John D. Rockefeller gained possession
of a tract of land in Western Washington, on Puget Sound, about thirty
miles north of Seattle. The land was heavily timbered and water
facilities made it a perfect site for mill and shipping purposes. The
Everett Land Company was organized, the tract was plotted, and the city
of Everett laid out. The leading streets, Rockefeller, Colby, Hoyt,
etc., were named for these early promoters. Hewitt Avenue was given the
name of a man who is today recognized as the leading capitalist of the
state of Washington. Even the building of those streets reflected no
credit upon the city. The work was done by what amounted to convict
labor. Unemployed workers, even tho they were plentifully supplied with
money, were arrested and without being allowed the alternative of a fine
were set to work clearing, grading, planking and, later on, paving the
streets. Perhaps it is too much to expect freedom of speech to be
allowed on slave-built streets.

In their articles of incorporation the promoters reserved to themselves
all right to the ownership and control of public utilities, such as
water, light and power and street railway systems. A mortgage of
$1,500,000 was placed upon the property. After a time the company
failed, the mortgage was foreclosed and the property purchased by Rucker
Brothers. The Everett Improvement Company was then organized with J. T.
McChesney as president. It held all rights to dispose of public utility
franchises. The firm of Stone & Webster, the construction, light, heat,
power and traction trust, secured franchises granting them the right to
furnish light and power for the city of Everett and also to operate the
street railway system for 99 years. The Everett Improvement Company owns
a dock lying to the south of the municipally owned City Dock where the
Everett tragedy was staged. Thru its alliances the shipping of Everett
is in the hands of the same group of capitalists that control all other
public utilities. The waterworks was sold to the city but has remained
in the hands of the same officials who were in charge when its title
was a private one. Everett operates under the commission form of
government.

The American National Bank was organized with McChesney as president.
The only other bank of importance in Everett was the First National.
These two institutions consolidated with Wm. C. Butler as president and
McChesney as one of the direct