100 years ago in Spokane: Merger of streetcar lines nears ‘successful conclusion’ – or so it’s thought

Progress was being made toward a merger of the two major streetcar lines in Spokane, the Washington Water Power Co. and the Spokane Traction Co. lines.

Negotiations between the two companies had been going on for two years, and “was nearer a successful conclusion than at any previous time.”

However, it would actually take another four years for the two lines to merge, under the name Spokane United Railways.

From the college beat: The Spokesman-Review ran a tongue-in-cheek editorial about a shocking instance of social change: “The word ‘hell’ has been stricken from the lexicon” at Washington State College football and baseball games.

“There will be no more shouting of, “Give ’em hell, Washington!”

The editorial speculated that this change came about because so many college men were off to war and college women, comprising the anti-hell party, had seized the opportunity to ban the cheer.

“When the war is over and masculine dominance has been re-established, the student body can restore the expletive if it still feels in the proper mood,” said the editors.

Meanwhile, a substitute cheer in Pullman might be: “Gents and ladies, give ’em Hades.”

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1521: Explorer Ferdinand Magellan was killed in the Philippines.

2017: David Dao, the airline passenger who was violently dragged off a flight after refusing to give up his seat, settled with United for an undisclosed sum.