The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-11-10
KALSOMINE WON'T GO
AImshouse Scandal to Have
Judicial Inquiry.
4 MOVE TO STOP a,csy's PAY.
csnmissioners 20 Re Enjofnea By Csvn
freeess-Parks viii sue sss
Five Thousand Dollars.

WISHING the almshouse scandal wiu not be
accepted a. fnal By several prominent
men who have been active III the invesfi-
cation OF the matter and who are deter
mined 10 bring the evidence they have
fasbersd before the public If IL IL in their
poser TO do il in the way Of an open ja-
1sesal Investigation.
These proceedings will at once take TIE
form OF q suit to enjoin the county CON-
nissioners from putting auy more Of the
pecpie's money into the building until rs
obstruction has been made the subject Of
ssir judicial inquiry. James parke.
cae Of the contractors who claims
10 have been deceived BY dnpil-
cate plans and specifications, viii
also commence proceedings against the
county commissioners for 5000 damages
fsr the loss he sustained in not getting tho
contract. IL il said that other contractors
rho claim 10 have been similarly deceived
viii bring ike actions.
A meeting OF those who are taking an
nrtise interest IN unearthing the matter
Was held last night James Parke
sas seen after the meeting by Posr-
1xTELLfG EscEg reporter, and said:
Il never had any faith in the grand jury
"a.
nov that the report has turned out TO be
such q miserable excuse. have decided
70 ask few reputable taxpayers to join
With me IN bringing the matter into
the courts for a full, fair, impair
sial and en- open investigation.
This evening | was In consultation with a
number OF taxpayers, contractors and
the matter through with. and We decided
the proper way TO do would be TO get an
Injunction 10 prevent the county treas
rFer from paying any more money 30 klgby
by order OF the county commissioners
until the buiding has been thoroughly in
speeted and accepted by Judge Langley as
having been constructed according to the
plans and specifications now on lie with
the county auditor as the grand Jury re-
port has It, IL Is true IL will not be the
building intended by the original plans,
which the other unsuccessful contractors
and / bid on, yet IL will DO a great
deal better one than it is at present. for
even the amended plans are not being
followed. The most important thing about
this way of compelling the contractor to
1--we up To his plans is that il will bring the
whole affair into court, where full in
vsstigation can be had, aud must be had
before the contractor can draw / cent of
his pay.
plaintiff in the suit, but do not wish to,
and any other taxpayer will do as well. /
will, however. be one of the bondsmen
ior the plaintiff, who will be compelled
10 give an indemnity bond of
from $4,000 10 $4,000, The expense
OF the suit we contractors will stand.
We have been IN consultation with White
4 Munday and Judge Greene this even
ing, and although We have made no ar
sangement with them to bring the suit for
Ill lskf 10 a~ Asr4. D..
The city.
Meanwhile, we will rustic around and
try TO lind the missing plans and speciiica-
tons and bring them into court. II found.
al might as welt tell you while | am
taking Of lawsuits OF one that / myself
will bring at once. By the fraud perpe-
trated upon the contractors who bid on
The original plans and specifications,
lost the contract for the construction of
the building myself, for mine was the
lowest legitimate bid. / would have made
profit of from 5000 TO 81 coo upon the
contract, and | do not intend 10 lose it
through the double dealing of the county
commissioners. As soon as the papers
can be prepared intend to commence suit
against the county commissioners for
5000 damages by the loss of the con-
tract"
The county commissioners appear to be
building has received at the hands of the
grand Jury. The walls were painted red
by the contractor but the new
color appears to be so satisfactory TO
the commissioners that they do not
purpose disturbing H. They say they will
accept the verdict Of the grand jury as
final and that no further investigation
viii be made. They ignore the charge of
duplicate plans and are content with
saying they think they are getting
apreity good building for the money. In
fact, they say that the variations from the
Specifications pointed out by the grand
fury are no more serious than those which
usually occur in building contracts.
Appropos of the grand iury's censure OF
several members of the school board, who,
In their private capacity as business men.
have had dealings with the board, il is
net unlikely that the question will be ie-
eally tested as 10 whether the
Law forbids all such transactions.
There are some things, for instance, F"
said Secretary Whitney yesterday, "which
We can buy cheaper at Mr. MacDoagall's or
ar. BaEweil'S stores than we can At any
other store. Now, is it fair that the school
hoard shall not be permitted in such
eases to make purchases where II can
DO 80 to the best advantage, or that ner-
chant shall not have any chance 10 COM
Pete in All open way for the business Of the
board, simply because he happens to be a
member of the board 2"