The Dog Catcher in Disgrace
A suspended Seattle officer, a roadhouse cash trail, and a police board that could not agree on who had the power to hire a clerk.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Rumors that had been floating around for several days about E. W. Bates taking money in connection with a roadhouse license were confirmed last evening, when Chief Rogers reported to the board of police commissioners that he had suspended Bates, with the mayor’s permission, for violating section 176 of the department regulations.
Bates had been taken before Chief Rogers that afternoon and confronted with S. J. Parker and a man named Scullin. Each stated positively that he had given Bates money, believing him to be a deputy license collector. The chief then prepared charges alleging that Bates represented himself as a deputy license collector and collected $10 from Parker, $10 from Scullin, and additional sums from Mrs. Julian and Mrs. Scullin—$40 in all. Witnesses named for the city included Parker, Capt. Frank Taylor, Scullin and Bolton Rogers.
At the meeting the commissioners decided to keep the suspension in force and give Bates a hearing tomorrow night. The board also accepted the resignations of Officer G. M. Leighton and Clerk Fleming, then fell into a dispute over who had authority to appoint a new clerk and whether the clerk had to meet the department’s physical requirements. Chief Rogers recommended Frank Kennedy; Commissioner Cheasty wanted W. B. Wittenmeyer. The matter was finally referred to the corporation counsel, and Dennis Milan was appointed from the force, with Special Officer Grant promoted to fill his place.
“Each of whom stated positively that they had given him money, believing that he was a deputy license collector.”
License and permitting power remains a flashpoint in Seattle: who inspects businesses, who collects fees, and how quickly a city investigates its own. The Bates case shows the same pattern—an internal complaint, a closed session, and a board divided over procedure while the public waits.
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