Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1915-06-18
RACKET AGAIN ON
SWANT0WN SEWER
PROPERTY OWNERS. PROTESTING
ASSESSMENT. MAY SUE CITY
MAYOR REPLIES.

legai and otherwise, in the city of
Olympia since it was first projected
about six years ago, jumped into the
limelight again during the past week
when various residents of the city
held mass meeting at the Chamber
of Commerce rooms last Saturday,
vigorously protesting to the distribu-
ton of the assessment, and Mayor
hoffman issued a statement the fore
part of this week characterizing the
sewer as a "botch of job" and lay
ing the entire blame on the Harris
administration. The immediate cause
was the city's call upon the property
owners for the payment of the frs.
assessment
The protestants at Saturdays meet
ing formed a permanent organization,
with w. Scott Shaser chairman and
MIS-. Kate L. Young secretary-treas-
urer and these officers, with C. H.
Goodpasture and Byron Millett. were
delegated to investigate the cost of
suit against the city to void the as
sessments. The meeting heard a re-
port from Attorneys George II. + unk,
a former councilman, and Byron Mil
lett expressing grave doubt as to the
legality of the assessment, though
stating that the delay Of the property
|owners might prevent any action at
this time. The assessment roll was
before the council recently for protest
and confirmation, but no protest was
made at that time and the city off,
|cials are inclined to think that conse-
quently the property owners are cup
Ia stump"
The principal objections raised
were that the original assessment dis
trict made in 1910 had been consid-
erably enlarged and that the final cost
was $4,000 more than the original
assessment. Severe criticism of the
city authorities was INDUCED in by
Mrs. Young, Shaser and General Haz-
ard Stevens, the latter asserting that
the property of Olympia had been
taxed more than $4,000 during the
last six years for local improvements.
Mayor Reviews Project.
Pointing out that the first steps to-
ward the Swantown project were
taken six years ago during the Harris
administration, Mayor Mot m a n
added:
"That really was the proper time
to protest, and not now, when pay
day is at hand. The said resolution
stated the purpose of the improve
ment, the district and the plans
showed what the city proposed to do
and the cost thereof.
1.-THE undersigned was one Of the
very few people that protested against
this improvement six years ago, but
received no assistance from Mr.. Scott
Shaser, General Stevens, Mrs. Kate
Young and others who are now up in
arms when it does not count and when
the only result of al the noise they
are making will be to discredit the
present city government and deceive
the people. Any sensible person must
know that the present city admins.
tration is only carrying out the man
date of our courts and is not more te
, blame for this Swantown box job thar
the man In the moon.
Elm due time after the ordinance
was passed six years ago the then city
council entered into a contract with
: Mr.. H. Mallory who associated him
self with Mr.. James Martin to built
; this box sewer according to plans ant
specifications prepared by Mr.. E. L
> Van Epps, the then city engineer. Tn,
I contract price figured approximate!
: $4,000 and just about the time tn,
job was completed the box sewer tool
a notion one night to protest and ros'
! up in its wrath to the surface an(
t fioated around. Trouble started a
j once, the city refused to accept thu
Job and the contractors refused to re
build and the controversy was airet
; in the courts for the last five years
and was carried to the state supreme
court twice and the final decision wa
that the Messrs. Mallory and Martil
could recover, which meant that thu
property owners lost and had to pay
The city had good legal talent to con
duct its case and paid Mr.. Frank c
Y Owings over 81 900 to assist the Hon
. Charles E. Claypool, city attorney a
l the time. At the time the contractor
0 refused to rebuild the box the cit,
4 undertook to complete the work ant
I started in to pump the bay dry, blu
: failed in the attempt and finally tn
I city made deal with the dredging
A people to patch up the box, which the
8 did at cost of over $4,000. and the
: were paid in warrants on the distriC