The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-02-27
Serious Charges Against the
Local Inspector.
ATTORNEY ONLY ON ONE SIDE.
Capt. Birmingham viii Not Allow
Prosecutors Any Privileges.
New Hearing of Testimony Brings Out
Charges of Bullying, Brutality, Dis
elimination, Illegal Agency for Life
Prs~erver~-some Pilots Defend Him
"A Protest sent 10 Washington CITY
Against Bermineham's Rulings.

rs-sxanlnatson OF the charges ale.
asaiast Capt w. J. Bryant, inspector q
huiis, ~ Puget Sound Harbor No. Is @
masters and Pilots VAS begun yestsr,sa,
Win John Birmingham. supervising In
speetof of the Pacific coast district u-s.
kiains and we're frequently interrupses by
protests from tbs prosecution agsiag: The
rulings OF Capt. Bermingham In nos al.
lowing an attorney 10 conduct the ease
though he allowed one 10 Capt. grvaus
ana 10 not allowing the eross-exan1sna,ion
OF witnesses.
ne charges were filed early fin 1ss and
IN March last were investigated by Special
Agent Leslie Cuiiom. The officials a,
Washington City do not seem to have
been Satisfied with the report Of Mr.. Cut
ION and sen. the affiJavIfs In the case Ia
supervising Inspector Birmingham ia
naEs those who sw0re to Them re-exzm-
tnsd, The charges in substance are thar
capt Bryant Is unfair and arbitrary In
MS rulings and that he allows his per
sonsi interests TO govern him in matters
that come before him FOR adjudication.
tnat, contrary 10 law. he uses his Office
20 sell life preseryers and other arttc,ex
70 vessels and that he secures Insurance
hasifsess by The same method; that he Ia .
Elsea licenses 10 men who are incompe-
tent and tried to withhold them from
those who are legally entitled 10 them:
that ne II osersearing In his conduct and
resorts 70 the methods Of the bully and
naaadozef In the transaction OF the affairs
OF his office.
fhs proceedings yesterday we're dis
appointment 10 those who are engaged In
prosecuting the charges. as Capt. ger-
fssiaghams refusal 10 allow an attorney 10
The Prosecution or 70 allow the cross-ex-
animation Of the SitnesSes nreyerte,, Tsrv.
anfs aceuserS from bringing out nolntx
which they claim they could have broueb,
out. Inspector Birmingham allowed Cant
bryant 10 be represented by an attorney
wsesn he also allowed to examine the SIt-
nesses.
Tho proceedings began al 10 o.ejock
shen inspector Birmingham, who is a
large, elderly and ilne-iookIng man with
gray naf and beard, called the asxem-
oiase to order. CAPT. II. X struye. who
represented the harhor which filed the
charges asked that the prosecution be
represented hy Attorney ". II. Gorham.
but inspector Birmingham refused the "a.
quest.
apt. Strive asked the privilege OF ex-
aiming the witnesses, but this reauest
Was also refused. Then Capt. STRIVE
asked II he would he allowed TO examine
the Witnesses through Inspector BerminS-
ham, and this request Was also refused.
Capt. strives Testimony.
capt. H. x. Strive. the first witness
tssahed mat he MAS steamboat master
ny procession and that in the year 1870
ssapt' bryant Inspected the new tug Wan
aefer. OF which he was the master. fsry
ant came 10 witness and solicited tha In.
spfance on ths vessel. but was told nv
witness that he had nothing 10 do with
the insurance. that he would speak 20 The
owners and ask them TO give ii TO BRYANT
hryant said II he was favored he woula
reciprocate
While witness was master az the .,s
blaksley he had collision with tba
steamer oIympian. which belonged 10 the
Union Pacific Railway Company After
the collision witness made complaint 10
Capt. Bryant aud requested him IA Uaka
an investigation. which he never did n
was witness belief that the Investigation
was not held because Bryant was partial
Witness further stated thai 81 80
known Capt. Bryant to license numerous
snen whsm he knew 10 be thoroushly in
competent, having neither the necessary
experience nor ability. Witness said he
also knew that Capt Bryant had refused
10 renew the licenses OF competent men
and refused to grant original licenses to
nlssi who were thoroughly competent in
every way. and 1t IS his belief tina, the
cause OF such refusal was personal preta-
dice alone. Witness considered Can't, Bry-
ant a man OF uugosernable temper and
very arbitrary and unjust in his rulings.
aad 1nan who would allow his personal
likes and dislikes 60 influence him ia the
discharge OF his Official duties
Brsans'- fItss pre~erycr Trade.
Witness mover had bought any life pre-
servers from Capt. Bryant. bur safa II
was matter or common runer thar he
was engaged in The sale 81 life preS.rvers
asa other paraahernal:a fer che fitting opt
Of steamboats,. Witness STATED thai when
the steamer Utopia was being ittea out 70
So 10 Alaska In December, 1856. he had a
conversation with Capt. Bryant in regard
10 chat vessel aud be stated that the vca-
sel was nBsit Ia 50 To Alaska and that u
VAS his belief TIA: she woaIa have 20 b..
towed hack II she started there and that
he considered Capt. Mceregor a I'D old
feei" for ever trying TO ran his boar on
that route.
CAPT. strave further stated thar Can't.
BRYANT frequently travelled on steamers
when he was master and 70 his certain
knewleage he never pala for either trans
restssien or meals wnsa travelling either
IN an Official capacity 81 on personal huzl-
ness.
f.ts-en-si lucnsnpetent Men.
Witness said re wAs aeaassmtea NTH
Cses n, T. RegeEs aud believed him ~
b. thoroughly competent shipmss;cr IN
every respect Asssus the aaiafis ~ r1.
sessster. tSsa. wtsaeaS west 20 Cap;. bryant
rllets' Association AID to!8 sgwa thar a
gesss many members - shtx ass1~-.a sisss
fsls that Ne vas Werksng hardship On
saans ~ lieeaSing men Incompetent q, Per
farm 3heiy daises. as sheee were a srest
many atsu oag nf employment u b, w,er
ready snA willing 20 - 70 work an.
asked Him Il sc wuals rot ese a gEtt1s naars
careful in tae future zssaBs issems3ng lr.~
s'>nsaSseps tuea- witness so3d bryant shas
tire association had siSesas-i 81 q cassl4 nat
Eet rsssFess fporn htrs 20 prefer charges
Against Atfa So NAshlustan CSty request
We have the F.aeasare e giving the ex-
rersesse ct tso prvssnlnsnt citizssss ef RehYr-
On Beach. al IN ths tsse sf Chamberlain
tossgh kenscsiy. AIR 4. Y. Trspasli. saws.
~ts -