The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1924-03-06
by JOHN W. NELSON

sherman c, sawtelle, propagandist
OF corporate interests, and active in
Lundin's campaign. Is not the only
man with tho faint or antilabor
activities connected with the pres.
ent mayoralty campaign.
George +, Russell. present super.
intcndcnt OF tho water department,
and former superintendent OF public
utilities, and ono OF Mayor Browns
appointeoH, also has n record that
Seattle voters are entitled 10 know
about.
For four years and up 10 within
a year before his appointment az
superintendent OF utilities in
Browns cabinet. Russell was man.
ngcr or the Employers association.
OF Seattle. tho organization that
subsequently was reorganized into
the Associated and Federated In
dustrics.
Russell, however, has a long res
ldence IN Seattle behind him, and
loeai labor leaders have worked har.
moniously with Russell since he has
entered the employ OF tho city.
Russell was elected city treasurer
IN 1904 and served until 1905. He
ran on the republican ticket. While
IN office he succeeded IN abollshlng
the custom OF keeping funds Ia the
names Of various departments. gath.
orcd them all In tho city treasury.
and instituted tho warrant system
OF drawing on city funds. Russell
claims.
In 1905 Russell was elected coun.
~ treasurer on the republican tick.
Ct. but did not qualify for tho Job.
duo 10 his appointment 10 the post.
masicrship OF Seattle BY President
Roosevelt, lie served under Taft
and FOR one year and six months
under President Wilson.
Ho then became secretary and
trust officer OF the American Saw.
lngs bank. where he was employed
until a shlft In the bank ownership
resulted In his dismissal.
Subsequently Russell was engaged
IN the timber business. from which
position be went 20 the secretary
ship Of the Employers association.
II only eamo in contact with Rus.
: seil once while he was secretary OF
tho Employers association" Charles
Doyle. secretary Of tho Central La
Dor council. said Wednesday. IN
that dispute 10 seemed fair. since
he has been In tho eity's employ
Russell has been fair 10 organized
labor
Mayor Brown. IN explaining his
appointment Of Russell. following
his election. saidi
seattle had been engaged in in
dustriai warfare prior to- my cleo
ton that immeasurcably damaged
thu ciiy's good name and prosperity.
When ] was elected called in
George Russell. who had the conf
dcncc Of Seattle employers. and
Robert Proctor. former president OF
tho Central Labor council. who had
tho confidence OF labor. 10 serve In
my cabinet.
Industrial warfare then ceased.
and these men have worked sin.
ccrely and efficiently for the clty's
welfare. Runscll's record. when he
was superintendent OF utilities. In
digging Seattle out Of tho heavy
snow Of last winter. was excellent.
Since assuming the duties rs head
OF tho water department 10 has
made a scientific study Of the Cedar
river watershed with tho object OF
conserving tho clty's water supply.
He has constructed the Swan lake
Pipe line and has always proved the
first man on the job In emergencies.
such as the breaking Of the water
main at sixth ave. and Union st.
year ago.
Il appointed Russell because he
supported my election and because
10 was equipped TO serve the city"