The Night Seattle’s Mayor Nearly Fired His Police Board

Mayor Phelps and the police commissioners remain reticent about the executive session held Saturday evening in the mayor’s office. It is said, however, that the proceedings were of a highly sensational character. From interviews with the chief official of the city and the police commissioners it may well be inferred that the Post-Intelligencer was correct yesterday morning in its announcement that an attempt was made to depose Chief Rogers, and that but for the mayor’s prompt action it would have succeeded. The history of the movement may be traced to the time it so unexpectedly came to a climax. Commissioner Wallingford was an enthusiastic supporter of Rogers and unquestionably importuned the mayor to hasten his appointment. Commissioner Niggli, in notifying Mr. Rogers of the position of chief, delivered an eulogy that was flattering in the extreme to the candidate. He was a warm supporter of Rogers some time after his administration began, but then and there changed his mind. What caused him to freeze toward Chief Rogers is known only to a few, and Mr. Niggli says he does not care to give the cause at present. Commissioner Cheasty having been openly opposed to the chief, and Mr. Relfe being of Democratic persuasion, it looked as if the three votes necessary to cut off Rogers’ head were in sight. In some manner the mayor learned that something was in the wind, and since he will not say a word pro or con, it is undoubtedly true that he immediately prepared removals for each of the four commissioners. These he had with him when Messrs. Cheasty, Relfe, Wallingford and Niggli walked into his office last Saturday night after the excitement of the battle of the First ward. The mayor took off his gold-bowed glasses and pleasantly said: 'Good evening, gentlemen.' Rumor has it that Mr. Niggli then said they had decided to cut off Chief Rogers’ head, and that a man who would be acceptable to everybody would be nominated. The mayor thought the matter had better pass over, and Commissioner Wallingford said something about being surprised at Mr. Niggli and that he proposed to stand by Rogers. Mr. Cheasty, it is said, uttered the sentiments that he had honorably maintained all along. Mr. Relfe took the matter philosophically, but it looked as if he might vote to remove the chief. The mayor wanted to let the matter drop, but Niggli insisted on deposing the chief, and then the excitement came. The mayor handed Niggli a paper, the contents of which informed him that he was removed from office. This left the commission two for, and one, probably two, against Rogers. The other commissioner now wanted a reconsideration, and as a result the mayor took back the paper from Niggli and the meeting stood adjourned until tomorrow night. When Commissioner Niggli was asked yesterday by a Post-Intelligencer reporter if the mayor had given him a letter of removal and then taken it back, he replied: 'I am not prepared to talk about what took place at the meeting. It was an executive session and we all agreed to keep the particulars to ourselves. I would willingly tell what I did and said if I had not promised the mayor to refrain from talking. I might say things that would make it hard all around.' 'You favored Rogers when he was appointed?' 'Yes.' 'You have experienced a change of feeling since then?' 'Yes.' 'Are you willing to give the cause of the change of feeling?' 'No; not at present. The matter will probably be settled at the next meeting and the public made acquainted with the whole situation.'