The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1915-07-13
Alden ]. BIethen Of Seattle Dead
THE TACOMA TIMES

Alden J. Bethen, editor of the Seattle Times, died
yesterday afternoon.
| This simple announcement marks the passing of a
really big figure in the Pacific Northwest. Big he
was and dominating-no enemy would begrudge him
that praise
! Since coming to Seattle in 1896, after more or
less lurid in Kansas City, st. Paul and Min
lneapolis, he built the Seattle Times into nstitu
ton that for physical bulk is the greatest newspaper
in the state.
| But it was vastly more than newspaper. 1t was
an organ of Blethen, of the Bethen family, of Beth-
len S friends, personal and corporation.
| As his paper grew, so grew his influence Blethen
and The Seattle Times became an Institution. 1t
became feared and thus waXed mighty. 1t lbeled
men, and it's victims found scant satisfaction in the
law courts for the judges, too feared the wrath.
1t worked its way into the banking system of Sc
attic, into the influential clubs, into politics, into
the women's clubs into the university administra-
ltiOn, into the labor unons into well nigh all the
activities of great city.
| 1t reached the acme of it's power few years ago
during the first Gill regime. Then the indict-
ment of Blethen, along with Chief of Police Wap-
pensten and gang of gamblers, on charges of graft
and venallty IN connection with the raising OF Seat
tles lid Two gamblers turned states evidence an
lother became fugitive from justice, Wappenstein
was sent to the pententiary, and Gill recalled
Blehen thanks to his club the courts, escaped
scot free without much a trial.
| Casting about for means of freeing the Blethen
name Of the odm that the incident left in it's wake
the editor donated expensive set of chimes to the
state university, and procured their acceptance by
the board of regents at secret meeting.
This Dissertation of the campus, as they felt it to
be. reused the student body and faculty to a high
pitch, and campaign began for the rejection of the
lgift This unsuccessful in that end, but it did
suit in a campaign which at last began to undermine
the Blethen power in Seattle
! The last few months have this power collapse
Congressman Bryan, one of the EDITORS pet enemies
whom he had libeled numerically, forced Blethen
toprnt complete retracton of all the lying articles
that had appeared in The Seattle Times over period
of years and as symbol Of defeat to pay $40 judy
ment in the superior court.
| Reginald H. Thomson, former city engineer of Sc
attic, obtained $4,000 judgment in of his libel
cases.
His attorney Will H. Thompson, only week ago
brought in suit in his for large damages.
This and a of litigation instituted by William
j. Burns the detective, and others awaits a settle
lment.
| In short with Col Blethen' physical decline came
also breakdown of his bullying power Seattle
He lived practically all his life feared; he died.
lpitied.
! If it were not for this fact, Tacoma void have
cause for feeling resentfu toward him. also. For to-
Blethen and Blethen's paper are due more than to-
any other influence the creation and stimulation of
the feeling Of foolish jealousy which made Seattle
and Tacoma for many years bitter rivals rather than
friendly co-operators.
| But today Col BIethen is dead His sons take up
in public confidence the paper he loved and to which
he gave his great activities
i