The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-06-11
THE NASEL CHARGES.
He Advocated Acceptance OF
Bursted Baker Hose.
NO INTENTION OF REsiGNING.
The MAYOR Saws He CorruptIy Tried to
secure Adoption of Inferior Hose
and l. Incompetent.

Late last night Mayor Phelps fled with
City Clerk Stewart the official charges
against Fire Commissioner George I.
MaseL The charges ara dated june s.
and accompanying them was document
calling upon the council TO meet in Joint
session June II to try the case. There
was a great deal OF doubt yesterday as
to what was going 20 be done in the mat
ter. In some manner that is not exact
~ clear the report became current that
the mayor had withheld the charges IN
view OF a report that Aasel was going 10
resign. The mayor expressed his will
ingness TO refrain from fling the docu-
ment, provided such an action would be
taken. but did not in any way enter into
negotiations with Masel for such pro-
ceeding. AS near as could be learned
last night. some persons whose names
could not be ascertainei remarked that
Masei might resign If the matter was
dropped. The mayor withheld the charges
temporarily, but when Masel heard or
the matter he absolutely refused to listen
for a moment. Mr. Masel was al the city
hail last night and said TO Post-Intellt-
gencer reporter that he had never for one
moment thought OF retiring from the
commission. Mayor Phelps was at the
city hall also. and when asked about the
charges being withheld replied that he had
understood in the daytime that there was
a possibility Mr. Masel might resign. This
would be agreeable to him, so he had re-
Trained from action. A short time after
this MaseI received a copy OF the charges.
which read as follows:
That on the 24th day of May, 1885. the city
of Seattle entered into a written contract
with Mitchell. Lewis & Staver Co. for the
purchase Of certain hose for the use or
the fire department of said city, to-wit:
One thousand feet of Baker fabric. cotton,
steam fire engine hose Of 212 inches in
ternal diameter. three-ply. capable OF
ssting when delivered 80 pounds of water
pressure TO the square inch. to be lifted
with 2i5-inch automatic couplings. and
warranted against defects in material or
manufacture. aud TO do good service for
the term of forty-eight months from GATE
OF delivery.
That said Mitchell. Lewis & Staver Co.
expressly warranted and agreed vita SAID
city Of Seattle. that said hose was not de-
fective in material or manufacture and
would do good service for he term of tor
tyeight months from the time Of doliFery,
and agreed that said hose would be capa-
BILE of resisting a water pressure OF $50
pounds TO the square inch, AMI that the
city of Seattle would have the right, pr Vi
lege and authority to test said hose in the
usual manner of testing hose
THAT subsequent to the entering into
of said contract as aforesaid, Mitchell,
Lewis a Staver Co delivered SAID hose
to the city of Seattle. and on the 3ist day
of May, 1885 the chief of the fire depart
ment, together with the members OF the
board of public works. at the fire depart
ment headquarters in said city, tested
| said hose in a careful and proper manner.
THAT upon said test the coupling on the
first length of said hose blew off at 240
pounds pressure and the second coupling
on the second length blew off at $40 pounds
pressure.
THAT on the 1st day of June. 1895. an
| other test was given TO said hose, and the
| first length of said hose burst in the middle
| thereof at a pressure of go pounds 20 the
| square inch. and the second length of said
| hose burst at a pressure of $50 pounds 10
| the square inch. and the coupling Of the
| third length blew off at a pressure of 345
pounds 10 the square inch.
That said hose was in all respects un-
| fit 10 bee used in the fire department. and If
| used in case of fire, would be much more
| likely to burst at a less pressure when
used al a fire than in the test that was
| given at the fire department headquarters.
THAT when said hose was tested on the
! fst day OF June. 1895 aforesaid. one length
stretched six feet two inches and another
| length stretched seven feet nine inches.
which was about 80 per cent. more than
| a good merchantable. useful hose would
| stretch under like pressure.
That said hose was entirely UNIT for
use in the fire department. and would have
| failed to perform the service which would
| be required OF II in case Of a fire.
THAT subsequent to the testing of the
| hose aforesaid. at a meeting Of the FIRE
| commissioners. to-wit: on the list day of
| June. iS6 AT which said meeting George
! Z, Masel vas present. the question Of the
acceptance or rejection Of said hose was
considered.
Il charge that the said George r. Masel.
CorrDptly and with the intent 10 defraud
/ tho city of Seattle and especially the fire
/ department thereof, we'll knowing all the
/ facts hereiuheforc stated. at which said
meeting said facts were stated to him.
and Notwithstanding his knowledge of the
! insunlcieocy Of said hose. insisted that the
chief 81 The fire department should be in
I struggled 20 pat said hose in the service OF
/ the department. and moved that the said
/ hose he accepted and that the chief o. the
/ fire department should h, instructed and
| authorized 10 put The said hose into the
! service 81 the department to the great
( damage OF tire city Of Seattle. and contrary
! 10 his duty as tl-e commissioner and in
violation of his oath Of Office and for the
reasons heroiubefore stated the said
! George T. Masei is incompetent 10 dis
/ charge the duties of the office Of fire COM
+ missioner of tho city Of Seattle"
! Under the same date the mayor sent
/ notice 10 Mir. MaSel that he had called A
/ joint session OF the council for Monday.
! June L. al = m. in the house of dele-
/ gates hall 20 hear the charges and ask
! for his removal
] What housewife ever worried ahout her