The 10 Percent Rake-Off That Put Tacoma's Water Board on Trial
A job printer's testimony blows open an inquiry into the Tacoma Board of Public Works, where the president admits he knows little about running the city's water and electric plants—and a councilman asks if he has any shame.
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.
TACOMA, Aug. 9.—[Special.]—The sensation that had been promised in ventilating the charges against the Board of Public Works came in the shape of a Kilkenny-cat set-to today. Charles Cromwell, a job printer, testified that he was compelled to pay Ralph Metcalf, ex-clerk of the board, 10 per cent rake-off on all work. He understood also that all job printers were cinched in a like manner. He stated where and how he had paid money to Metcalf as rake-off. Metcalf came forward and denied everything. Bids for contracts were produced to show that such was not the case; that there was no rake-off, and that in every case the bid was awarded to the lowest bidder. Nothing was shown to prove that there was not a dicker or rake-off on work which was not let by contract.
The climax came when President Demorest, of the board, against whom the charges of criminal incompetency and the like are specifically directed, took the stand. He impressed upon the councilmen that he had a decided impediment in his throat, but on the whole he stood the running fire of interrogation points with comparative composure. He dodged some questions that were probably intended to draw him out, and in doing so he showed up as not knowing much about running an electric light or water plant.
Councilman Watson then demanded: 'Are you not ashamed of yourself, to occupy a position of trust and responsibility, one of the best positions in the city, and then come here and admit that you don't know anything about your business?'
Mr. Demorest—The records will show what I have done. The board has saved the city $10,000 and the water plant has earned more than $40,000 above expenses during the past year.
Things went from bad to worse, and finally Demorest was asked to explain about the scandal connected with the purchase of the carbons for the electric lights. He stated that by purchasing the carbons in bulk the city was benefited. This was contrary to the ordinance, but the board made payments by the week, not paying at any one time more than was provided by ordinance. He also stated that there was only one brand of carbons that were of any value, and then a councilman snapped: 'What would you do if that carbon company should fail?'
Later Mr. Demorest explained how he came to get worthless carbons. He said he had advertised for bids, but got only two answers.
Councilman Lister—What paper did you advertise in for carbon bids?
Mr. Demorest—The city official paper, the Ledger.
Lister (hopelessly)—Oh! that explains it.
“Are you not ashamed of yourself, to occupy a position of trust and responsibility... and then come here and admit that you don't know anything about your business?”
Public works spending and utility contracts remain a classic corruption flashpoint; the hearing's mix of detailed procurement rules and an official pleading ignorance feels like a preview of every modern city-hall scandal. Tacoma's water and electric systems were then new civic assets, and the fight was over who could control their money and contracts.
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