The Courthouse Standoff

City Treasurer Atkins sent a messenger to the office of the county treasurer yesterday to cash $16,000 worth of school warrants, believing that Judge Chapman's decision Saturday, ordering the warrants paid, meant County Treasurer Reed would no longer withhold payment. He was disappointed, however, and another chapter will be added to the already long story of the wrangle over the purchase of the Tourist Hotel site. This time, County Treasurer Reed refuses to pay the interest on the long overdue warrants. Mr. Reed was asked if he would appeal the case if the city did not waive its right to the interest accruing on the warrants since the date of the call. 'Yes, I think I will,' he replied. 'There is every likelihood of the superior court's decision being reversed, and it would pay the board to waive the interest and settle the matter at once.' This morning, City Attorney Ellis applied to Judge Chapman for a writ showing why County Treasurer Reed should not be fined for contempt of court. Judge Chapman refused to sign the order, and Judge Stiles was sent for. The attorney for the defendant thought there was considerable undue haste in the matter of securing a writ for contempt of court, but Attorney Ellis explained his position by saying that his clients did not want to become responsible for the interest daily accruing by countenancing any delay. Judge Chapman thought the matter could be adjusted without issuing the writ, and the treasurer's attorney said that their procedure would be determined not later than Wednesday.