The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-01-25
CITIZENS TAKE HOLD.
Committee to Investigate Ex-
tras at the Almshouse.
INVITED sy COMMISSIONERS.

INVITED BY COMMISSIONERS.
In tOrdsr 20 Dfsarn Psblse Criticism
Bssfnsss Nsa Underssks the
Iask-Isseby's AssstsAs.
A number Of prominent citizens met in
the Chamber OF Commerce yesterday ~.
sernoon in accordance with call received
from the board OF county commissioners
Tor the purpose Of arbitratins the unpaid
Claims Of John Rsgoy. the contractors OF
the new almshouss. The call was ad-
dressed 20 the Hon. Dexter Horton. A. B.
Stewart, E O. Graves. Herman Chaplin.
John Collins, James u. Colman. Edward
G. Seufeider. J. u. Frink, Robert Moran.
}. ID. Lovmsn, s. T. Clough and John
Parkinson and stated that the commission
ers desired 10 meet them st 30 O'Clock
yesterday afternoon for the purpose of
submitting TO them . matter Of great i'm
porsance TO King county"
Promptly ~ the hour named all the gen.
tiemen named made their appearance ex-
ceps James u. Colman and J. ID. Low
man. the last OF whom Was = witness in
court.
NJ Neufslder was present but being in
attendance ~ the meeting Of appraisers Of
the Transfer Company's property in an
other part Of the room he vas unable TO
take part in this meeting. John Collins
putt an appearances for . few minutes
before the meeting was called TO
order and after quietly looking around
walked out again and did not again show
up. Besides the gentlemen named Fred
Gasch. John Wooding and A L. Ruther-
ford and the deputy clerk Of the board,
Nathan Beeman, who came provided with
the plans, specifications and contract for
the aimshouse, were present John Rig
by. the contractor. and w. A. Richie. the
architect OF the building. were also pres
emit
The board of county commissioners Was
represented by 8. H. Piles, who called the
meeting 70 order and stated its purposes,
saying:
The people of King county have built
an almshouse st great cost. and in connec-
ton with It's construction charges we're
made, sianderous aud other wise. that re-
Elected on the county commissioners. The
matter WAS Investigated by the grand jury,
which resulted I'm that body recommend
Ing. a. ilnal settlement of the questions in
dispute. the appointment Of an arbitration
committee TO 20 into the details OF the
construction and report to the commits
sioners. making such recommendations ss,
IN their Judgment, they may deem wise
and equitable. The building is now CON-
nleted. and the county 10 indebted to Mr..
Risby In the sum of about SIC. 900 on the
contract and about 5000 for exsras.
a Hrxa <,f -
sioners, after mature deliberation, has
wisely selected You. gentlemen. among
whom are practical mechanics, as the
proper ccmmIttee to make this inyestiga-
ton. They will lay before you plans and
specifications. requesting that you will
famiiiarize yourselves with their details,
and after personal examination o. the
buildings. make your final report on the
whole. including the bill for extras"
In connection with these extras Mr..
Piles explained that there vas one item
of 81. 100, covering the filling In of the
wall that was originally designed to DO
hollow, and continued:
1T appears that the original plan called
for hollow wall. and that In accordance
with the orders Of the Superintendent and
architect this space Was filled, 100. 600 bricks
being used. There Was no question that
the material was used and there Is no
question that the work WAS done faith
fuiiy and we'll, and - II IL the prevailing
opinion that the superintendent and
architect were honest in their ordering
this work the county commissioner have
inclined to the belief that the bill ought
to be paid. This whole matter 10 one IN
which the public has taken great interest,
and they are entitled TO know how the
public funds have been expended"
Contractor Righy explained that his bill
for extras had been approved by the archi-
tect and superintendent, but as the COM
missioners thought that the work had not
been done In strict accordance with the
written contract. the matter had been re-
ferred 10 Messrs. Ciough and Skillings
who. he believed, made report to the COM
mt~sioners.
Mr.. Piles reiterated the statement that
the commissioners desired to leave no
room for doubt o. to their honesty, and
therefore desired the matter investigated.
in accordance with the recommendation
of the grand jury.
County Commissioners Rutherford in
quired If Mr.. RigIy would be satisfied
with the report of this citizens committee
and abide by l,s recommendation.
Mr.. Rigby answered no; that though he
did not question but what the gentlemen
would act conseientiously in the matter.
yet he had no question as to the correct
ness Of his own bill and proposed to stand
by IL.
Mr.. Piles explained that the report of
this committee va. intended for the
county commissioners In the interest of
the people. and that the board would be
guided by its recommendations, and that
any differences arising after that as be.
tween Mr.. Rigby and the commissioners
would have to be settled In court if not
satisfactorily arranged other~ise
Mr.. Chaplin, for the purpose of organ
ling the committee. moved that Mr.. Park
inson be elected chairman. This Was car.
ried. and Mr.. Chaplin was in turn elected
secretary.
Mr.. Chaplin suggested the organization
of a subcommittee to go out and look a,
the buildings.
Mr.. Graves said that the irst thing to be
considered was whether the gentlemen
called together wanted to undertake the
great responsibility involved In the matter.
Personally, he WAS not inclined to do il.
The county commissioners and the grand
jury bad both investigated IL. and il would
be almost impossible for this committee 10
put itself in position 70 know details and
facts as accurately IS they were already in
possession OF the board, and the under
taking on the pars of this committee ar-
peared 80 mountainous that IL vas q ques-
ton whether 1t should be incurred.
Mr. Rutherford urged the COMMITTEES 10
-. r.