The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-11-12
THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
Alleged Steal on Prisoners Board Bill
The Burned school Books.

Alleged Steal on Prisoners Board Bill
The Burned school Books.
The old contract of Harry Watson with
the city for feeding city prisoners,
sleeper" from the last Democratic admin
istration, brought on a lively discussion in
the board Of aldermen last night. and
charges Of stealing" and collision on
the part of city officials with y. II. I-au-
mer, of the Dexter Horton bank, were
banded about pretty freely. Compton
brought on the storm by asking for infor-
nation. He said the story was being free
~ circulated that y. II. Latimer had the
contract for feeding the prisoners at -
cents per meal. and that he sub-let 1t for
1919 cents a meal Latimer was one of
Harry NatsonS bondsmen. Loye1oy, of
the finance committee which made an in
vestgatlon, explained the contract with
Watson, and Latimer's competition as
bondsman. Watsons contract was made
in 1898, for one year. Efforts had been
made since 10 make a new contract and
bids had been called for several times, but
had not been accepted by the board Of
public works because of defects, and the
old contract was stu in force.
Jordan then said he would tell the true
story Of the whole transaction. Bids had
been received. some as low as u cents
one woman had offered to feed the prison.
ers for 10 cents meal and she was ignored
by the authorities. There was another bid
of Il cents from a good mhl. and he had
been ignored. Mr.. Latimer went to the
man who offered 10 do it for II cents
and told him TO keep still, not to give any
bond for the II cent bid; the board of
public works and the mayor were standing
in, and if the Il cent man would lay low,
I.atimer would get the contract at Is cents,
he would sub-let it TO the man" at IL
cents, and Latmer would retain cents
on each meal, which amounted TO about
so a month, TO apply on Watson's debt
TO him. which was a result of the krug
shortage.
Sweeney said 1t was a dirty contract and
dirty piece of business all through and
should be investigated. Jordan said the
whole thing was a steal. and made mo-
ton TO have an investigation TO see who
did the stealing" This was afterwards
amended so as 10 provide simply for an
investigation. Sweeney said he did not
think there had been any stealing; If Jor-
dan thought so he should bring in his
proofs. Jordan said he could bring in all
the affidaylts necessary.
Loveioy said the matter was arranged
and sanctioned by the council preceding this
one, and Miller probably knew all about
It, hut Miller did not have much TO say
on the subject. Lovejoy said L1timer had
acted fairly and honestly. He had done
more than he was legally bound 10 do In
connection with the matter and was prom,
lsed the contract with Watson should con-
tinue until the banks claim of $3.l00 against
him should he paid. \ special committee
OF Jordan, Compton and Loyej1y was Al
pointed 10 investigate, and a call Tor bus
viii be made.
The introduction Of an ordinance pro-
vdiug for the payment by the city of Sl2.
one-half OF the damage caused by the burn
ing of school books by the health officer
in the scar,atina epidemic. started another
heated dispute as 10 what the city should
do in the matter. The board and house com
mitteeS' reports were attached 10 The ordi-
nance. and Sweeney wanted them read. The
house report recommended that the city
pay one-half of the amount required TO e
place the books. but sad the health Off
Ger had burned books Intimately. and
that hooks We're destroyed that had not
been TN the school rooms az all during the
epidemic. While the committee had no
doubt of the actual liability Of the city he
cause Of the action Of the health officer as
the hoard OF education had assumed the
payment Of onc-half of the loss. II WAS
recommended that the city pay Inc other
half. mot because Ne think the city is liza
BILE but the health officer having assumed
thai arbitrary authority We feet In duty
bound 10 reimburse the parents % the chill
dre1 f7r the loss they have sustained by
such arbitrary authority OF the health Off
Ger" The hoard committees report cover
cd nearly The same ground The ordinance
mas passed after Jordan, Sweeney and MI
Ter had discuss q it az length Sweeney de-
fr~9'uE the action Cf the health officer and
Jordan and Miller condcmning Il.
Jordan got q wha-lS ~ the street IA lways
n his report from the railway committee
eu the petitions cf the Union Trunk Line.
tro Rainier Avenue COMPANY. and the So
at.la Elcc.ric Railway aad Power Company.
Fs~ fftv-vear franchises In his r-r9rt Ia.
.H- .