The Fire Commissioner, the Cockfight, and the Deed to His Mother
Seattle’s joint council weighs whether George T. Masel was a freeholder or merely a meddler—while a West Seattle cockfight and a suspiciously late property transfer steal the show.
MASEL IS ON TRIAL
Chief Allen Fails to Sustain Charge of Meddling.
THE WEST SEATTLE COCK FIGHT.
A Fireman Tells of the Conduct—New Light on His Property Holdings.
The trial of Fire Commissioner George T. Masel, who was suspended entirely by Mayor Phelps on the ground that he was not a freeholder and was a meddler in fire department matters, came up before the joint council last night. After a long and tedious debate final action was postponed until next Tuesday night at 7 o’clock. This is the third time the case has been continued.
Last night’s proceedings practically knocked out the claim that he was a meddler, so the case hangs on the question of his being a freeholder. Chief Allen was the principal witness for the prosecution, but failed to hold up under the close questioning of John Wiley, attorney for Masel, and Alderman Jorian and other members. One of the most interesting features of the meeting was the evidence of M. Mayouck, a member of the department, who told about Masel going over to a cock fight at West Seattle and getting into a drunken row with a fireman named Simkins, owner of one of the cocks.
Auditor Firman testified in relation to Masel’s property, in substance the same as has been printed in the Post-Intelligencer. It brought out the point that Masel owned property, not recorded, however, prior to his election. A peculiar thing is that the deed to the property was recorded only a short time ago, and then immediately transferred to his mother.
Winding up the case for the city, City Attorney Steel said that from all the facts known Masel held the lot in trust, and there should be a thorough investigation to find out the truth of the matter.
A resolution to quash the charges was introduced, but before action was taken on it a motion to adjourn prevailed.
Ex-Chief Hunt was called as a witness, but he dodged the officer.
“A peculiar thing is that the deed to the property was recorded only a short time ago, and then immediately transferred to his mother.”
Seattle still argues over whether officials meet residency and ethics requirements, and the Masel case shows the same mix of legal technicality and sideshow. The cockfight testimony and last-minute deed transfer make it feel less like a dry eligibility hearing than a referendum on who gets to hold power.
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