Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1915-06-25
MRS. YOUNG WRITES
ON PARK MATTERS
MEMBER A SKED TO RESIGN
STILL PROTESTS TO BOARDS
FINANCIAL METHODS.

STILL PROTESTS TO BOARDS
FINANCIAL METHODS.
The following letter concerning
financial methods of the Olympia
park board, which have been source
of much discussion locally for the
past year, was presented for publica-
ton this week by Mrs. Kate l..
Young, member of the board during
1914 until, refusing to resign as for
mally requested by the city council,
her place was declared vacant and
another person appointed:
Olympia, Wash,
June 20, 1915.
Mr.. Taxpayer:
Are you contented with the situa-
| ton as it is?
Are you happy with the existing
conditions?
Are you willing to still shoulder
| the burdens of Improvements that
are continually being placed upon
you and the assessments that are
being made against you for these i'm
prOvements, with the times as close
as they are and you not knowing
where the bread for the little ones
is to come from, let alone the money
to meet these expenses which are, to
the mind of thinking people, rather
unnecessary at this time?
Now, my friends, am going to
present a few thoughts for your con-
lsideration.
The bureau of inspection is an ex-
pense to the state and If it's recon-
mendations and findings are not to
be needed and it's reports not even
read and spread upon the minutes of
our city records, what is the advan-
tage of the expense of said bureau of
inspection?
During the first OF the year 1914
the said bureau made an inspection
of the books of this city and found
certain conditions existing. Has any
action been taken?
$2,7OO in UnapprOved Warrants.
Again, during the early months Of
the. present year the same board
made an examination of the afore-
said books and found what? Simply
this: That there had been drawn on
one of the funds O.. the city some
thing like $2,70O of warrants con-
corning which the report said:
During the year 1914 the city
council had passed claims against the
park fund amounting to $3,162.7O
and out of this amount only $328.3O
has been approved by the commission
as shown by the minutes as kept by
the secretary"
Now the fact is that up to the goth
day of June the report had not been
read in council or ordered placed on
file by said council. Neither had the
1890 which was borrowed by one
member Of the park commission with
out the authority of the commission
lbeen accounted for as recommended
by said inspector.
Now / presume that the members
q the council took It for granted that
you as taxpayers were satisfied with
Conditions, as you did not appear and
support my contentious when time
after time did appear and object t.
such illegal procedure. neither did
you assist in asking for q grand jury
Investigation of existing conditions
and az q last appeal to the city attor'
Iney who should protect your inter
: ests I wrote him, as will be given
below in my communication to him
and his answer to me.
The facts concerning the city at
ltorney's ONCE are somewhat surpris
ling to me. as we'll as interesting
Providing the county prosecuting at
torney falls or refuses to execute tht
law as required Of him, and one II
able to show such facts sufficiently te
: the attorney generals office, then the
attorney general can investigate ant
require such compliance with tht
law; yet, providing the city attorney
fails or refuses to execute the law
there is nothing that you as tax
, paver or citizen can do until the mex
election, unless you or some one II
willing to take court steps at your
own expense. :.
This, as we'll as the two commune
/ cations which follow, are just a few
thoughts for your consideration, ane
If YOU are a live, wide-awake tax
nayer. YOU will at least know thai
the bureau of inspection has made
report. and if you have salary
which enables you to meet any ex
pense which may be placed upon yol
or can afford to dream your iii'
away. then you may be able to state
, that YOU do not even know that sucf
a report has been made.
KATE l.. YOUNG.
Letter to City Attorney.
"Olvmpia. Wash, May goth, 1915.
> George r. Bigelow, City Attorney
: Olympia, Wash.
'Sir:
According to the report of thu
bureau of inspection, which was con
-. Quoted by Mr.. Clark in this city some