A $100 Bribe and a Lifetime Pass: Seattle's Streetcar Scandal Erupts in the Council Chamber

A sensation was sprung in the board of aldermen last evening when Dr. J. Eugene Jordan, alderman from the Fourth ward, declared that about two years ago K. F. Wittier, who was then president of the Union Trunk Line, offered him $100 and a pass for life if he would lend his aid to some petty legislation in which the street railway company was interested. The board immediately went into a committee of the whole to investigate the charge, and Dr. Jordan was questioned concerning the circumstances of the alleged bribery. G. A. Upper, a resident of Lewis street, who heard a conversation between the alderman and Mr. Wittier, was present, and also gave testimony. The investigation ended in the city clerk being instructed to communicate with Mr. Wittier, who for the past few months has been in the East, and then advise the board when the accused can be present, at which time the investigation will be resumed.

The charge created a profound sensation and grew out of a feeling of bitterness which exists between Aldermen Sweeney and Jordan, two of the Democratic members of the board. The offer of bribery is alleged to have taken place when Leander Miller, president of the board of aldermen, was acting mayor. Dr. Jordan declared he had informed Mr. Miller of the incident at the time, but this the latter denied, saying he had never heard of the offer of Mr. Wittier until the present time.

Dr. Jordan bided his time until 10:50 o'clock, when he gained the floor on a question of privilege and said that while Dr. Sweeney had been unfriendly to him he did not desire to be personal. He said: "It has always seemed strange to me why it is that this body always espouses the cause of the railway while I, who endeavor to act for the benefit of the people in all things, have my motives questioned. But then, it is not surprising, after all, why, it is only I—that Mr. Wittier, president of the Union Trunk Line, met me in these council chambers and offered me $100 and a pass for life if I would aid his company in a matter of street legislation."

This speech caused a sensation, and when the doctor sat down Sweeney arose and moved that the board resolve itself into a committee of the whole to investigate the charges. The motion carried unanimously, and President Miller called Dr. Sweeney to the chair.

Dr. Jordan was called on to make a detailed explanation. He said it happened when Mr. Miller was acting mayor. "At that time the Union Trunk Line was not operating its tracks, and the dirt from the excavation was piled eight or ten feet high on the street and left there, making it very inconvenient for the residents in the vicinity and interfering with the traffic of all manner of vehicles. The people along there complained to the board of public works, but they did nothing, and then they came to Acting Mayor Miller for redress. We had it pretty hot for them one evening, right in this room, on that very spot (indicating a place near the door), and this Mr. Wittier came to me and said: 'If you will leave this matter alone, I will give you $100 and a pass for life.' I was surprised, and spurned the offer. But the best of the whole thing was, a man Upper watched him and heard the conversation."

Mr. Upper was then called and told what he knew. He said he was one of those complaining about the dirt on Lewis street and had asked Alderman Jordan to make the street railway company remove it. "I was in this house one evening, I think it was in the middle of April, and was talking with the doctor, when Mr. Wittier came in and interrupted our conversation. He said to the doctor: 'Now here, you can help me out of this and I can make it all right.' The doctor tried to make him be quiet, but Mr. Wittier said it over again three times. Finally the doctor took him by the arm and said to him, turning to me: 'Here is Mr. Upper. He is one of those who are complaining about the dirt out there.' Wittier looked at me and said: 'Oh, this is the fellow, is it? I've been wanting to meet him just to see what kind of a monkey he is!' That made me a little mad, and I said: 'Yes, I'm all right. I'm first cousin to the baboon you married!' Mr. Miller was in the chair, and began to rap for order, and that ended our conversation."

Mr. Upper could not remember Mr. Wittier offering the doctor any money consideration, and said the conversation lasted about ten minutes. Later the dirt was removed from the street. On motion of Clise the clerk was instructed to write to Mr. Wittier and advise him of the charge made and tell him to let the board know when the accused would be present and offer defense. At this period an adjournment was taken.