The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1913-06-18
COMPLETE TEXT OF THE GRAND JURY,S REPORT

other party who assisted him IN
either the purchase or the sale 81
this property. but after using every
means within our power the jury
has been unable 10 find out who
this other party was
The Jury most severely condemn
both Mr.. clapp and Mr.. Bys,rom for
using the knowledge they gained In
their official capacities and their In.
fuenee with tho officials In the Of.
flee Of the state land commissioner
for the purpose OF conducting a
deal whereby they made profit,
OF approximately $4,000 through
snipulatinp the sale Of state
LANDS 20 the County OF King.
N there were any Law under which
these men could be convicted and
punished, the grand jury would no,
this Transaction had its inception
subsequent 10 the ia~ OF 1909 be
coming effective. this action on the
par, of Mr.. clapp ard Mr.. Bys,ror,
would have been a violation % such
statute for which they would be
both punishable.
clERlcus DOCK SITE DEAL.
This piece OF land adiolns the
Clpp dock site on tho south and was
found 90 DO needed for n landing or
an overhead crossing from the
Clapp dock site property. Mr. \ H.
barbcc sold this property Co the
county commissioners Of kiur coun.
~ for siS 600 only n few days Rffor
he had purchased II from Mira Cier
iues for $4,000 Mr. narbee made
a ne, profit on this sale Of $4,000.
he having paid $1,000 TO tho party
Who furnished him tho money for
handling tho transaction After n
thorough Investigation the Jury waa
unable to find any evidence that
Mr. HRrbcc over paid any OF his
money for assistance or Influence In
this deal 60 any person
NORTH SHORE DOCK
SITE DEAL
This property vas purchased by
King county from Mr.. & p Dixon
for the sum 81 $4,000. on October
20. 1919 This dock site has tho
double advantage OF having a front.
axe on Lake Union and also border.
ms on n waterway. The site IL most
adyantagcously located. and the
price paid was a reasonable one.
DUWAmISr DOCK SITE DEAL.
The DuwamiAh dock site VAS pur.
chased on October IS. 1919. by tho
County 81 king. from the Union
Trust company. at n cost OF f63. 900.
and after an appraised valuation Of
si0s.000 for tho entire block of
ground bad been made by n com.
mltiee OF five real estate men who
were well yorAef in tho values Of
land In that vicinity.
COUNTY HOSPITAL WATER.
We find that tho Georgetown
Water company has furnished water
for the county poor farm and county
hospital continuously from June 10.
1909. TO the present date. and We
find the quality OF the water is ex.
cellent and the supply IL sufficient
for all of the requirements 81 the
two county Institutions. and that the
rate charged by the Georgetown
Water company TO tho county IL
shout onc-third less than the rate
the City 81 Seattle is permitted to
charge similar institutions.
We FURTHER find that VI. l.. Ham
ilton. NJ present n county commits
sioner Of King county. IL not now
either an officer Of nor n stock
holder In. nor Interested IN any way
whatsoever. In the Georgetown
Water company. nor has he been
since November 20. 1905.
We further find that meter was
Installed NJ tho county hospital by
tho City OF Seattle upon which n
minimum charge OF 80 cents per
month IL being paid by King county
10 tho City OF Seattle for the use OF
said meter. which arrangement has
been in effect for some two or
three years. ns n precautionary
measure
THE COUNTY COMM SsioNER
Under the law. the Board Of
County Commissioners has almost
unlimited discretionary power over
county affairs. including the con
Rtruction and maintenance OF
county roads and bridges. After a
careful and thorough investigation
tho Jury find that moro permanent
roads have been constructed In this
county during the last four years
than during the previous history OF
the county. Much work remains 10
be done To construct branches and
complete tho main thoroughfarcs
which have been already initiated.
The jury wish TO commend the on
ergy displayed by the board of
county commissioner in some Of
their road work. hut the methods
adopted by tho board in the conduct
Of road work cannot entirely escape
criticlsm
This fault, however. Is due largely
TO the fact that there Ia too APP
parent tendency OF the board OF
county commissioners to Indulge In
what might be termed LOG rolling"
II has been. and ls now. the custom
OF the board OF county commission.
crs TO favor their personal or polltl-
cal friends In the matter Of the APP
pointmcnt OF road supervisors, fore
men and laborera. Thes Ia a source
OF constant friction throughout the
county and 10 one OF the causes for
a great deal OF both Just and MUST
criticism upon the board. II also