The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-07-17
TACOMA PUBLIC WORKS SCANDAL.
Hollidge Charges Not sussained-The
ssLedger's" Special Privileges

HollidEe Charges Not sussained-Ine
"Ledger's" Special Privileges
TACOMA, July IL. - Especial - The
charges oil dishonesty preferred personally
before the city council Saturday by Presi-
dent Demorest, of the board OF public
works. against George II. Hollidge, who
had an hour before been appointed super
iniendent of the light and water plants.
were not sustained today in tangible form
before the special committee of the coun-
Gil appointed to investigate the matter.
Demorest charged the committee with
desiring 10 whitewash Hollidge. For this
rash remark he was promptly called TO
order By Chairman Lister, and notified
that there was no wish TO whltewash.
Finally the matter went over until tomor-
row at 2 p. M. when Demorest will be
given an opportunity 10 prefer charges il
writing.
Today's session of the committee started
with a demand for a statement from DEM
crest charging Hollidge with dishonesty,
the same to DO made in writing. This
Demorest declined 10 DO. He desired that
the city prefer the charges based upon his
atfidavi.s. and have the matter brought
through the board OF public works. Ac-
cordingly Demorest consulted City Attor-
ney Wickersham. and reported that he
absolutely refused to have anything to do
with the charges, because it is understood
il was not desirable 10 drag the city into
the fight and make it responsible for the
charges.
Demorest also declined to make the
charges orally, as he had done at the meet
ing of the council Saturday. On the quiet,
Member Rydstrom of the board of public
works had previously refused To join
Demorest in signing charges in writing.
At any rate, the COMMITTEES prevailed upon
Mayor Orr to call a special meeting of the
council to hear its report. The charge not
having been formally made, the commit
tee reported that it had not accomplished
ANYTHING, and the council then
decided TO give Mr.. Demorest until
tomorrow to prefer charges in writing.
AS the matter stands, Hollidge is ont for
q complete show down. He asks for the
charges in writing, in order that he may
get back at his accusers. Besides, he has
his inside pocket filled with some athda-
Wits of his own. and he does not hesitate
to say that Demorest does not pay his
bills. He has also dug up all his time
books covering the period when his accus-
ers claim he was getting rake-otf for
overtime charges from the Tacoma Light
and Water Company, and buying clothes
Tor converted horsethief with his ILL.,
gotten gains, and again pocketing the
money when the horsethief returned the
purchase price of the wardrobe.
Hollidge is disgusted with Demorest az
a member of the Masonic fraternity. and
although the latter expressed a willing
ness to shake hands with Hollidge today,
Hollidge does not want him to look him
in the face again.
George f. Demorest, q former wireman
in the employ of the city and who is not
related 10 President Demorest, of the
board OF public works. states that there is
crookedess in connection with tne boards
manner of doing electric lighting, and al
leges discrimination. lie says:
ut is a fact, known to the linemen In
the employ of the city. that the board has
allowed the owner Of the Ledger TO string
wires over the town and utilize hls private
electric plant, but this same privilege has
been refused others AMI when wires have
been strung. with this single exception,
they have been cut, and | have cut them
myself under orders from the board
This Mr. Demorest is not now in the en-
ploy OF the city.