Seattle's Fire Chief Accused as the Council Wrestles a Telephone Franchise and a Paving Bill

Both houses of the city council last evening got through a vast amount of routine business, especially the board of aldermen, which was in steady session from 8 o'clock to midnight. The franchise to the Seattle Home Telephone Company was amended in several sections as a further offer to the city, and the ordinance will no doubt pass at the next meeting. The attempt to bring the two houses of the council to act jointly on charges preferred against Chief Hunt, of the fire department, was not successful so far as the board of aldermen went; they went filibustering with the matter and finally sidetracked it to the street committee. The house will meet next Saturday night to consider it, but as they expected to meet with the aldermen in joint session, the action of the aldermen may change their plans.

The paving of Front street from Cherry to Marion street also came up and resulted in the ordering of an ordinance preparing for the work. The care of the sick or injured in the city also needed attention in a report made by a committee.

In the house of delegates a report was read from Meek and Kahaley, fire commissioners, preferring charges against Chief Hunt, charging him with being naturalized under false representation and holding his position in violation of the city charter. Chairman Crichton left the chair and made a speech on the subject. In his judgment, he said, the charges were very serious and he deemed it a matter which the city council should investigate. The council in committee of the whole should investigate the charges. He made a motion that, on a day to be set, the city council, in committee of the whole, should hear the evidence to be offered to substantiate the charges, and also the defense of Chief A. P. Hunt.

Delegate Goodhue wanted to know whether one or both bodies of the council would investigate. Delegate Crichton replied that his motion referred only to the house of delegates. Delegate Voigt did not think it good policy for the house alone to go into the matter. His idea was to have a joint committee of both bodies give the charges investigation, and if in the committee's opinion a further investigation was necessary, let the two bodies meet in joint session. Delegate Goodhue moved as an amendment that it be the sense of the house that the investigation take place, and that the board of aldermen be asked to convene and meet with the house in joint session for the purpose. The amended motion carried. The date of the investigation was fixed for Saturday evening at 8 o'clock.

Delegate James asked what would be the result of an investigation even if the charges against Chief Hunt were proven to the satisfaction of the council. The council could not punish him and the house could not remove him. Chairman Crichton said he understood that the city council could request the mayor to remove Hunt. "If that's all we can do," said Delegate James, "then I am not in favor of consuming a great deal of time in investigating the charges." Delegate Little favored sending a request to the fire commission that the charges against Hunt be investigated. Delegate Hillard seconded it. Delegate Voigt deemed it advisable to refer the charges to the fire and water committee. After some further discussion it was so decided.

When the charges came up before the board of aldermen, after a lengthy discussion and several motions lost to table them, they were finally referred to the street committee.

A joint resolution was passed authorizing the city engineer and corporation counsel to bring in an ordinance at the next meeting providing for the paving of Front street from the south line of Cherry street to the north line of Marion street.

An ordinance was given its third reading granting a franchise to the Seattle Home Telephone Company for twenty-five years, work to be commenced within six months and not less than 100 telephones in work within a year. Sections 4 and 5 relative to interference with the company's property were eliminated. The word "electric" system was ordered stricken out wherever it occurred in the franchise and the word "telephone" system substituted. Section 3 was amended to read that in case of failure on the part of the company to remove obstructions it shall be the duty of the city to do so at the expense of the company, and that expense shall be a lien on the company's property. Section 6 was amended to read that the company shall pay to the city 1 per cent on its gross earnings, and the words "tax to the city" stricken out. The ordinance was finally returned to the ordinance committee for reconstruction.

A communication was read from the board of health in reference to the care of the indigent sick of this city. Alderman Clise, for the special committee appointed to devise measures for the temporary care of the indigent sick and people suffering from a sudden accident, reported having met jointly with the county commissioners, the mayor and the city attorney. The county expressed a willingness to undertake the care of all the sick of the city who are properly charges upon the county; but requests that the city, through its health officer, give such medical advice as may be needed; that the city provide some place where people suddenly taken sick or injured in the night time can be cared for until removed to the county hospital. The committee recommended that the city physician set apart two hours each day to attend residents, and that arrangements be made with an established hospital. The only hospital he knows of in the city of Seattle is Providence hospital, which will give such care and attention as may be necessary at the rate of 75 cents a day. The entire matter was referred to the house of delegates.

An ordinance was introduced ordering the repayment of pro rata licenses to all places whose licenses have been revoked for violations of existing ordinances, and ordering the return of money to the following parties: to J. J. Clark, South Third and Washington, theater license, $93; to Charles Pearson, New Zealand theater, for theater license, $571.30; to Kawabata, "Morning Star" saloon, for music license, $13.54; to Linquist & Herman, 218 Washington street, for music license, $6; to Fleming & Co., South Third street, for music license, $14.48; to Clancy & Monroe, corner Washington and South Third, for music license, $7. Passed.