The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-08-03
HURLEY'S OFFER REFUSED.
TACOMA WANTS MORE FOR BIG
JUDGMENT AGAINST WRIGHT.
Council May Demand That Control OF
Opposition Gas Plant BE One of
Conditions of Any Sett1enent-

Special Dispatch to the Post-Inteiligencer.
TACOMA. Aug 2.-The city council, N
secret session. with the mayor and city
attorney present, and with Attorneys
Wlckersham and Sheeks as advisers IN
explaining the status OF the 'txniliion-dol-
lar suit" tonight decided unanimously TO
decline the offer Of G. B. Hurley, repre-
senting the C. B. Wright estate Mr.. Hur-
ley's offer was slco, 90 in cash and the at
torneys' fees in the case. in full satisfac-
ton OF the $4,000 Judgment secured by
the city.
Tonight's session lasted from TO II
o'clock and the matter al issue was care
fully discussed during this time. Agent
Hurley. for the Wright estate, was not
present. President Of the Council +. u.
Norton, manager of the ST. Paul and Ia
coma MI Company, and the achho"4-
edged corporation member of the coun-
eli, was particularly active in bringing
about the result OF the meeting. II was.
however his argument al the special meet
ing Of the night before which led to the
Hurley proposal being considered furtner
than 70 formally vote it down on-aand.
The chairman is reported as especially
some OF his colleagues, who jokingiy term
him THE Dictator" hint that the title ID
being earned in this matter.
Aside from talking confidentIally and
questioning the attorneys as to the knotty
legal issues 20 be commended with. the men,
bers accomplished nothing further than ID
made plain In their determination TO de-
cline the compromise offer coming from
Mr.. Hurley.
Dasntta Hurley's statement alleging he
IS the only accredited agent empowered
TO make an offer toward settlement OF
the case out OF court, city officials say
they are certain other proposals from
other sources will be forthcoming. In fact
II liz not kept secret that they believe Mr..
Hariey's offer but a "feeler, and that
when the matter comes down TO terms &C
ceptable to the city. these terms will not
come from him. but from others who are
looking to a settlement in the interest OK
the Wright estate.
Th. proffer of Gas company stock men
toned in the Post-Intelligencer as a prob
able result of the councils refusal to ac-
cept the Hurley offer. Is considered almost
certain If the offer actually includes all
the stocks and means the full control of
the company it seems dollars TO cents 1t
will be accepted. The chief drawback TO
the city's plant becoming profitable, coun-
cilmen explain, Is the opposition OF this
company. Ii by one swoop they can kill
this opposition and guarantee the non-ex-
sstence of other competitors, as would be
the case If the city could get possession
OF this gas plant. every possible point Will
be strained to accomplish this end
The offer of this stock is credibly re-
ported as being the proposal soon to come
from Sias Petit. attorney OF the Wright
estate. now that the Hurley deal has been
declared of. Members OF the fire and wa
ter committee, who are the ostensible man.
ayers of the city plant, will certainly en-
dorse the acceptance of this stock in pref
eTence to cash in like amount.
Now that the city fathers think such an
offer Is 10 be forthcoming. 1t seems like
aotAjng else Will prove acceptable, and
it Is no secret that they may oppose any
offer which does not inclued the death of
the opposition plant.
Until another compromise offer is made
nothing further is TO be done by the city.
The refusal OF Agent Hurley's terms is
declared final, and II seems prohabe the
compromise deal will hang fire until At
torney Petit. who IS now in California,
shall be heard from