The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-08-17


The fact that McCoombs resorted In so many
known eases to fraud and forgery and diverted
the proceeds Of the checks SO Obtained leads the
committee 70 the unanimous belief that when.
ever he could dishonesty obtain relief moneys
he did so, and. therefore. that large share OF
the above total went into the pockets OF him.
self and his accomplices
Aside from outright stealings on manufac-
tured applications Mccoombs had q source Of
continuous spoiis by q self-ereatec system OF
percentages, as follows: We find that relief
since November, 1853. almost uniformly runs in
checks amounting 70 twenty dollars each, small
er amounts being quite exceptional, and his
manner of manipulating those checks was to
give them to the store-keeper in whose favor
they were drawn and order $40 to SIS worth Of
groceries, and request the difference In cash,
giving as reason therefore. that tho persons
relieved wanted some groceries and q little
cash. In that way il is safe to assume he real
lied on the grocery trade fully Is per cent.
1t is thought proper 10 advert to the fact that
bursed from the relief fund, $1,000 OF that sum
went to sister city, Spokane Falls, and 81 900
to Ellessburgh. thus reducing the actual sum
sxpendend In Seattle that amount
We also express the belief that all OF this large
sum was honestly and int lligently applied, ex-
cept that covered by McCoombs' fraudulent
operations.
they have covered the ground allotted them at
the time of their appointment, and therefore
beg to remain, very respectfully your obedient
servants. Isignedl
C. B. BAGLEY,
JAMEs FARMLAND,
F.W VOID.
Judge Lewis said the only question was
in regard to the proportion of the amount
obtained under the forged checks by Nc
Coombs which that individual appropri-
ted. The committee said he took large
proportion, but did not know how much.
Mr.. Davies stated that Turner said that
of the amount obtained in cash, IS or 81 in
each case went to the shoe store.
Judge Lewis said that he was not in the
city al the time this trouble arose, but he
would have done exactly as the committee
did. He said Mr.. Leary had expressed
the opinion that McCoombs embezzled
$3.50.
Mr.. Heilbron thought the amount was
greater. There was no question, he said.
that McCoombs was employed under q
Misrepresentation. He had been working
for the relief committee from its formation
and had given no cause to doubt his hon.
esty or to suppose that his record was as
bad as it had proved to be.
Judge Lewis said the attorney thought
that McCoombs' stealings amounted to
$500 and Mr.. Davies thought the amount
was $40 to s., 500.
The report was finally accented.
Mr.. Davies proposed that Judge Lewis
make a full report of the affairs of the COM
mittee, and Mr.. Hebron moved that he
prepare a full report for submission to the
mayor.
Judge Lewis said he would not do so un-
mus, because he saw in the report of the
council proceedings that the council pro-
posed to demand report and he had q
contempt for the council.
Mr.. Hebron suggested that the news
paper reports of the council proceedings be
ignored.
Mr.. Davies proposed to call another
meeting with ex-Mayor Moran, but Mr.
Hebron opposed this. Judge Lewis, how
ever, declared his readiness to report to
Mr.. Moran, declaring that he had no off,
cisl connection with the mayor, as Mr..
Moran was not acting as mayor when he
appointed the relief committee. Mr.. He'll
bron moved that the committee present
a report to Mr.. Moran on the disposal of
the funds, with the reports of the auditing
committee, the committee on the prosecu-
ton of McCoombs and of the attorneys.
This was adopted, and it was decided to
meet for this purpose at p. M. on Monday.
A telegram from an Israelite named
Simon Joseph, asking for $25 to enable him
to return from San Francisco, was ignored,
as it was decided at the last meeting to
grant no more relief