The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-07-31
4 COMPROMISE PROBABLE.
THE LIGHT AND WATER LITIGATION
NAY BE ENDED.
Wright Estate Offers 100000 Cash
or $3.50. 900 in Gas Company Bonds
in Full Settlement Of the So

Special Dispatch TO the Post-Inteligencer.
TACOMA, July 3n.-Tacona's now IA
nous million dollar suit is 30 be com
promised. Such was the auie, tip Post
Intellgencer reporter secured late last
night. and inquiry today points to the fact
tha, such will be the outcome IL the mar
agemen, Of the c. h. Wright estate can
bring IT about, or II others concerned can
bring the city dads 10 their way OF look
ing az the suit
Thus far negotiations to this end have
been but preliminary TO more definite
steps. and have been Kept secret Like
other administration secrets, however, the
story leaked out. BIZ by bit, and careful
inquiry made today points 10 the chances
beng decidedly favorable for 4 settlement
Of the case out OF court.
The first definite Information obtainabIe
today was in effect that the city council
men had individually been seen by &. II.
Hurley. OF the old light and water com
pany, and had been told that he tHurIey)
representing the &. y. Wright estate had
been authorized TO move toward a com
promise. He then wen. on 10 say he would
pay the city slU.0oo also all the costs OF
the suit as well as the attorneys fees, If
the case be dropped
SO lar as can be learned al this time the
offer is considered BY the city fathers a
trifie too small and too much in favor of
The defendants. However, nothing has
been formally done toward giving Mr.. Hur-
ley definite reply in the matter. Next
Monday the council - TO hold a special
session. so It is understood, when Mr..
Hurley's proffer IS 10 De made In business
like form, and is 10 os considered by the
council as a whole. The city fathers as
well as the attorneys concerned in the suit
have little as yet 10 say about the matter,
preferr.ng 10 wait until II comes up form
ally next Monday.
Attorney Petit OF Philadelphia. who for
some time past has been here taking part
In hearing testimony in the big suit, N the
interest OF the defendants. has second Of
fer TO make. II Mr.. Hurley's proposition is
not thought well OF.
Mr. Petit is now In California, but he
has left this second proposal If 1t is found
necessary 10 make it. He offers In the in
terest Of the Wright estate TO turn over TO
the city s250.o10 in bonds of the Tacoma
Gas Company. These bonds are held by
the Wright estate and are all the bonds
of the company excepting some $500 own
ed by persons here In Tacoma.
The second proposal It is believed may be
received more kindly by the city than the
cash offer OF sloc. go. but no one concern
ed will volunteer an opinion OF what may
be done, or how The big suit vii! be settled
II at all. In any case the offers made for
a compromise are Intended TO satisfy In
whole the big $7e5.00o Judgment secured by
the city.
The second offer of gas company bonds is
understood 20 be intended as separate and
apart from the cash prefer Of Mr.. Hurley
With all their good intentions 10 say AS
little as possible about the proposed com
promise city officials hint that a lot OF
rtsduary property that originally should
have come into the city's possession along
with the light and water plant vii have "a
be turned over 10 the city II 4 settlemen.
IS made.
The property spoken OF Is claimed by the
city in rs big suit az a part Of the actual
plant which was purchased
Attorneys concerned have nothing TO say
8bou; either proposition as suggested by
Mr. Hurley and Attorney Petit. They
neither deny nor affirm tGat proposals FOR a
compromise are about 10 be formally made
and explain that az the proper zine every
thi@g Vii De made known.
However! from what lJ,le can be lea vnes
the city administration feels that The big
sG!; : practically woG. or at least IN Z,
far Wy toward victorious ending. TT ay
h.rt '.at re defendants know this hence
are anxious 20 end me case BY A compro-
mise. a!<o hat sUCn 0eing true :he city
IS n shape - demand liberal terms.
:. * expected tse matter VII 5e openly
discussed a me special council meeting
set for Monday evening