A Mayor Suspends His Fire Commissioner—and a Firehouse Scandal Erupts

The suspension of Fire Commissioner George T. Masel by Mayor Phelps caused general comment in Seattle. Many were surprised that Masel, who had held office for years, was charged with holding his place without the qualifications required by law. Masel claimed to be a freeholder; if that was true, the mayor's charges might not be broad enough to warrant removal on those grounds. The mayor said Masel had been a meddler—that he had tried to run the Fire Department in the interest of a faction, and that he was not in accord with Chief Allen. Masel said his actions had been in what he believed were the best interests of the department. Commissioner Kahaly said the mayor had the power to suspend, but that the charter required a joint session of the council to be called forthwith. He believed the mayor should have called a convention that night, and that, because he did not, Masel had the right to demand his seat or compel the mayor to recall him by mandamus. 'The mayor has the power to suspend,' Kahaly told a reporter, 'but a certain procedure must be followed. He should have filed his charges first, and then served notice of suspension on Masel. He did not do so.' Kahaly said the commissioners withdrew from the meeting to avoid a row, but that they were convinced the mayor had exceeded his authority. Kahaly also said the story about a plot to remove Chief Allen was ridiculous. 'The sum and substance of the whole matter,' he said, 'is that the mayor did not want an investigation of the story about Grace Hatt being ruined in the hayloft at headquarters. I talked with the girl herself, and with her foster mother, Mrs. De Vee. I believe there is something in the story, and would like to have it investigated if the mayor will allow it.' He added that a woman could not pass the firehouses without being insulted, excepting House No. 3. Mayor Phelps was told that the legality of Masel's suspension was questioned. 'Well, then, if it is not legal, I will suspend him anyway,' he replied. 'This state of affairs has got to come to an end. There has been a deliberate intention on the part of certain commissioners to hinder Chief Allen in the performance of his duties. I am tired of this, and intend to sustain the chief as long as he performs his duties. This business of plotting by a clique made up of ex-firemen, and assisted perhaps by a few sympathizers within the department, will be stopped if it is within my power. If the men who are in the department foment trouble, they will have to get out.' The girl, Grace Hatt—also called Hendy, the name of her foster mother—was said to be about fifteen. According to her account, she had met Fireman Ben Barnes at headquarters and was taken by him to the hayloft, where her ruin was accomplished. Barnes denied the story. He said he had been called from bed about 11:30 on the night in question by Fred Gayler and Guy Wilder, who wanted him to see the girl. He said he found her outside the department building, told her she was foolish to have run away from home, and urged her to go to his mother's house until morning. She refused and walked off down Columbia Street. He swore he never took her into the building. Capt. Ralph Cook, in charge of the building that night, said the man who claimed Grace Hatt was in the building was a liar. He said he was in the telephone room all the time except for a moment when he stepped into the stable for water; the stable door stood open, and anyone going up the stairs would have had to pass in front of him. Joe England, driver of Engine No. 3, said he was satisfied he had locked the stable door that night. A Post-Intelligencer reporter examined the building and found it impossible for a couple to go up the stairs unseen. Mrs. De Vee refused an interview and said she had placed the matter in the hands of attorneys. An interesting question arose over Masel's claim to be a freeholder. County records showed that Masel had a lot deeded to him on January 5, 1895, by John C. [surname illegible] and Margaret Masel, but the deed was not recorded until February. The property was Lot 4, Block 17, Woodland Addition to Salmon Bay [addition name partly illegible].