The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-12-27
COUNSEL JACOBS DEFENSE.
He Attempts To Explain Away His
Strange Conduct.

Judge Orange jacobs, corporation counsel
WAS called before Joint committee OF investiga.
ton of the two houses OF the council last even
ing aud called upon for an explanation OF his
action In dismissing the sui, brought by the
city Tor an Injunction restraining the
, Northern Pacific and Columbia & Pu.
get sound railroads from crossing
Columbia street, between Front and West with
their tracks. The committee, composed of Al
dermcn horn, snyder and Pontius, aud Dele
gates lansing, shipley and Kittinger, was or
gsnised with Captain snyder In the chair.
Mayor White, Street Commissioner Alexander.
Assistant City Engineer Scott, Colonel ]. G
lIatncs, ex-City Attorney shepard and others
were present
Street Commissioner Alexander explained In
the committee the grade of the portion Of Co.
iumbia street in dispute and stated that 1t had
been lowered. The maeadam dressing on the
street 9ss % uniform thickness all the way nm
20 Front street, aud at that street
tho crosswalk was 90 be lowered
about six inches II would have
required about twelve inches more of rnscadam
filling 10 raise the grade 10 the required level
Tho Regarding of the street was done hy the
witness, acting under instructions from the city
engineers office. The railroads had distance
Of about 20 feet in which 10 overcome the differ.
cnce OF lie feet between the level Of their tracks
and the grade of the street
Assistant City Engineer scott explained 10 the
committee with the assistance of small iis.
gram the condition of Columbia street He had
prepared the diagram from observations made
about 5 O'clock last evening. Accord.
ing 90 the elevation, Us shown by
him. the cross ties at the center
Of the right-of-way would have 20 De raised
about eighteen inches, aud according to the or
sinance, II the street grade is put at its proper
elevation, the north side OF IL would be about
two and a half feet higher than the present level
Of the railroad tics
The committee instructed the engineer 20 pre-
rsro diarre., or map OF that section of the city
between tho .fus line Of Railroad avenue and
Post street. nz the alley between Front and West
streets is called. and from Yesler avenue to the
north line Of Columbas street, showing the pres
cnt right-ot-way OF the railroads and that por-
ton OF the "ram's horn" claimed by them.
Judge Jacobs, who was not present when the
meeting opened, having arrived, he was called
upon for statement lie informed the com.
mittce that he had not been aware Of the meet.
ing and had only just learned Of H. He asked
that its purpose be stated TO him in order that he
might be able TO direct his remarks in SIN intel
hgcnt manner. he was informed OF the resola-
ton OF the two houses of the council and Of tie
object al the committee.
Judge Jacobs said that II this was an investi-
CATION Of his condrc, in regard 10 this suit, and
and elsewhere, he wanted IL 10 be thorough and
complete Serious charges had been made. and
he challenged the fullest investigation.
sIfI arn To be investigated" said he, 81 want
en opportunity 10 answer these charges. and
would like 70 have them presented to me in
writing, 50 that can tell Just what have TO
answer, for am prepared 20 show everything
connected with the dismissal Of that ease, and
all want is an opportunity Of presenting the
facts TO this committee for It's consideration.
should have been happy 10 hsse prepared my
seit and been here with reputable witnesses 10
iuily establish the correctness OF nay COURSE"
Judge Jacobs stated that he wss willing that
tne coamsttes proceed, bat lie: he should AJAX