The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-01-03
THE POT IS BOILING.
Charges of Extravaganza and
Willful Wrong-Doing
AROUSE OLD SCHOOL DIRECTORS
Meeting to Be Held Today-Director
Chfiberg Explains Young's APP
pointment-King Talks.

The communication IN yesterday morn
irgs Post-Intelllgencer from School Dr.
rectors Chilberg and Wells has stirred I'D
veritaole hornets nest among the mem
Ders OF the old boards, and meeting OF
these men VIII be held today, at which the
entire matter VIII be discussed A great
deal OF stress Is laid upon the statement
made by the committee that many promi-
nent citizens OF the city have stated prl-
| Vately to Messrs. Chilberg and Wells that
there has been gross II not criminal ex-
uavaganee and wrong-doing. That Is the
assertion that is ranking IN the breasts Of
me Old directors, and Mr.. Chilberg and Mr..
Wells VIII probably be called upon 10 MAKE
known the names OF these parties
An effort was made yesterday by Post
lntelAgencer reporter TO secure these
names from Mr.. Chilberg. but that gentle
man fatty refused TO divulge their names
as they did not wish 10 be mixed up in the
matter. An effort was also made to get
an expression from members OF former
boards, bat II was unsuccessful, the gentle
men preferring TO make statements at the
meeting. Director King, who fought the
proposition up hill and down dale at the
regular meetings Of the board, said the ex-
PLANTATION offered by Messrs. Chilberg and
Wells may be satisfactory to the a. p. a,
but that Il was not 10 the general public,
and also emphasized the fact that Young's
bid had never been taken before the board.
The members OF the old boards seen in
regard 10 the matter were A. L. Burwell
J. b. MacDougall and ". J. CoIkett. Each
said he did not care TO talk about the mat
ter, preferring to keep what he had for the
meeting. Mr.. Colkett added. however: IF
they can show where We ever paid seven
times more than the value of thing, they
can go ahead and do So Besides these
na Inc will Ia In atf
ance at the meeting: Senator j. NJ. Frink.
W. Fl. Hughes, George II. King, Thomas
PTosch and Robert II. Spencer.
Chilberg's Explanation.
Mr.. ChilbeTg was seen at his office, ana
asked TO explain that portion OF his COM
munication which said: From personal
knowledge we believe It viii result In good.
IL has been charged publicly and privately
that there has been gross. IL not criminal,
extravaganza and wrong-dolng. Many gen.
tlemen Of prominence have alleged both."
lie said in reply:
Citizens have gone to the different men,
bers OF the board, irrespective OF political
and social positions, and have said that
there has been gross negligence ! could
name several prominent gentlemen VINO
have talked to me about this matter but
l consider II would be doing them an m
justice 10 give their names TO the public.
Not because l can't. but because they I'M
doubtedly wish TO be left out Of the matter.
The exporting has been begun. ana some
surprises win perhaps be made"
rs 1t true. Mr.. Chilberg. that no bids
from experts were receiyedT"
Yes, II is. That is, not written bids. ex-
cept from SIR. Young, who rendered his
upon the request OF myself and Mr.. Wells.
Several men spoke 70 me-and also TO Mr..
Wells-about the exporting. We took their
names. and after careful investigation into
their abilities as experts, recommended Mr..
Young. Some OF those who applied were
b0okkeepers and others were not. and we
thought that one who has made lie busi-
ness Of exporting would be better qualified
for the work than an ordinary bookkeeper.
Even at the price named, which 50 many
seem TO think outrageous, one OF the board
remarked that at those figures he could
make nothing
What Director King SAYS.
Director King. who was not present at
the board meeting when the committee 20
examine into the exporting matter was
appointed. and who has strenuously op-
posed the action OF that committee. had
tho following TO say Of the communication:
The letter published in the Post-Intel-
ligencer appears TO me 10 leave the matter
Just where IL was before.
THE executive committee Of the sdvis-
orv board OF the \. =. \. demanded OF the
should be satisfactory. not only 70 that or
ganization, but also 70 the general public
The explanation given may be satisfactory
70 the 4. = a. and I understand that the
Spirit OF &c, the official paper Of that or
ganizatlou. states tina. il IS: but II win
hardly be satisfactory 10 the general pub
lie.
The latter is es ignorant as ever Of the
reasons why Douglas Young's letters and
references were not brought before the
school board. Also. whether or not offers
from other parties were received BY the
committee or ~ any member q the school
board. and. II So. why such offers were not
produced that the board might act upon
them.
"It would also. think. afford the public
some satisfaction K Il were Informed e
the extent ana character % the personal
Investigation which satisfied the committee
that 4 price three times as great as other
rners was reasonable. and Its acceptance
beneficial % the taxpayers.
The letter SAYS, MI X5uDE's employ
e,en,. we feel sure. needs no defense II
This {e So 20 IS difficult u understand how
any extravaeant acts u former boards can
merit cersure.