The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-10-29
THE BRICK is GOOD.
City Council ExOnerates Engi-
neer Thomson From Blame.
DIRECTING TO STREET GRADES.
Effect ofth Recent Supreme Court De-
cision-Inquiry Into the Quality
OF Sewer Tunnel Brick.

The first business before the house of dele
approving the plat Of the Renton Hill addition.
The business before the board of aldermen was
merely formal and the houses met in joint SEES
sion at p m. with DR. Sweeney in the chair.
Ordinance 2,sl0 came before the joint aession.
This was the assessment roll for improvement
district No. 80, South Fifteenth street, from
Grand street to Anna street. 1t was adopted
The assessment roll for Broadway and DeFor-
rest streets, from Yesler avenue to the south
eide of Oak street, then came up. The total bill
was $l5, 400 Objection was presented BY II. b.
slauson on behalf of owners of property on DE
Forrest street, that the proposed grade would
injure property thereon.
City Engineer Thomson stated that the cut at
Fifth street (Pontius' addition) was about six
feet, this being rendered necessary by the topog-
raphy OF the ground. practical grade could
be made at Fifth street by three foot cut, but
this would necessitate deep fills east and west.
Dr. Jordan cited the late decision OF the su-
prens court, and favored the entire abandon.
ment Of the plat
Corporation Counsel Donworth said that the
decision did not block improvements. but
merely permitted property owners to have an
injunction till they could show that their lots
were lessened in value.
DR.. Sweeney pointed out that this was the
third time this matter had come I'D, and that 1t
had been blocked each time by some objector.
1t was one of the first long streets that had been
considered; thers were but threa small obtec-
tors He was in favor OF proceeding. The roll
was then approved by q unasimous vote.
The roll OF Brook street, from Grange street TO
Depot street, the entire cost of which was as
sessed against the property, was then taken up.
Objection was made by John Manley, q property
owner, on the ground that the assessment was
excessive and that it had been changed and
made higher. Mr.. Thomson explained that the
contract had been changed because certain
property owners had requested that the street
be filed wider than originally contemplated.
The roll was approved.
The joint committee appointed to examine
the pest house reported that the house was
standing monument to belated civilization"
and recommended that it be "expunged;"
signed By DIR. j. Eugene Jordan as chairman.
A Joint resolution was then introduced by
Delegate Brace 1t was a vote OF confidence in
City Engineer Thomson and embodied in
struct,ons that the engineer should proceed
with the Lake Union sewer tunnel on the plans
now laid down. Aldermen Ingram and Jordan
objected, though both expressed confidence in
the engineer.
After some slight debate the chairman, DR..
Sweeney, ruled the resolution out of order,
though City Engineer Thomson was permitted
to explain why work was stopped Oh the tunnel
Mr.. Thomson said that on attending a late
session OF the council he had understood that
the sewer work was being Improperly done; that
an excessive price was paid for brick; that poor
brick was used, etc. Certain members OF the
council had been present and had objected to
bricks As bad and too hard burned, which he
the engineer, had tested as the best that could
be had for the purpose. All things considered,
he had deemed it best to stop work till he knew
what ground he stood on. He said that he de-
sired to know what the council wished; that he
felt the need of advice.
DIR. Sweeney again ruled the resolution out of
order.
The council then went into committee OF the
whole, Delegate Coryel in the chair. Alderman
Wolfe and Delegate Brace discussed the question
OF the resolution. the latter holding that the
council Were not brick inspectors. Delegate
Caliigan said he had looked the matter up, had
examined the brick at the tunnel and the yard
where they were made, and that in all cases he
found them good. Many were of necessity
spoiled in burning, but the burners sent no bad
brick and when bad brick were by chance sent
to the tunnel they were returned. AS for him.
self. Mr.. Calligan believed to the utmost in Mr.
Thomson's ability and integrity and that the
whole criticism was mistake.
Alderman Jordan said that no one had &C.
cused Mr.. Thomson of incompetency; yet some
of the bricks were unQuestionably not like con.
tract. Alderman Carrie agreed that the matter
u
that the bricks were as good as any he had
handled.
After some sparring on points OF order q reso-
luton was introduced declaring it to be the
sense of the committee of the whole that the
resolution indorsing the city engineer be
passed. The whole business WAS then tabled
Some informal debate then ensued as to the
status of the city engineer, with their vote of
confidence tabled. DIR. Sweeney said he voted
to table the business, because in doing so he de-
sired to express confidence in Mr.. Thompson.
Mt. Calligan said that all the members appeared
to know more about brick than the experts,
even those members who couldn't tell soft
burned brick from melted one. The
resolution of confidence 0gas taken up from
the table again. Delegate Drew made a speech,
stating that 1t had not been shown that single
bad brick had gone into the Lake Union tunnel;
yet criticism had been made by councillors aud
the engineer had simply asked for Instructions
DR.. Jordan said that the effect OF the resolution
was 10 gag the council: that such a wide ex.
preston of confidence was Ike apologizing for
making a proper examination. Dr. Sweeney
said again that the record should not be per-
mitted TO contain this resolution, since its effect
would be TO show that some charge had been
entered against Mr.. Thomson, when in fact no
charge whatever had been made.
Mr.. Thomson being called on, said that Mr.
Daulton had appeared to make logged objection
10 the brick used without seeking any sort of
explanation of himself. As matter of fact, a
slide had occurred at the Seattle Brick and Tile
Company's yard and in consequence the city
had been compelled to use brick made from
clay somewhat different from that originally
selected. Some few brick were used a little
different in texture from the best, but Mr.
pauiton would have been told this had he
asked IL. The charge had actually been made
that .'the company was trying 10 rob the city,"
Mr.. Daulton replied that Mr.. Thomson had q
chance TO make this explanation TO him. but did
not do so.
The resolution expressing IL as the sense OF
the meeting that confidence be expressed in Mr.
Thompson was then passed Both houses adj.
iourusd till Tuesday.