 Between 1904 and 1906, Coates resided in Wallace, Idaho, where he printed and published the Idaho State Tribune.Coates moved to Spokane, Washington in 1906, where he established Coates, Hughes & Coates publishing and printing company with his brother William and Harley L. Hughes.In 1911, he was elected city commissioner for public works on the socialist ticket and served in this role until 1914.