City Attorney Heads to War
Kennewick's City Attorney enlists in the officers' reserve corps, but the City Council refuses his resignation, keeping him on the payroll during his service.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
The city council at its regular meeting Tuesday evening refused to consider City Attorney F. R. Jeffrey’s resignation, but assured him that he would be kept on the city payroll as long as he is with the colors, or until the expiration of his term of office. The mayor and council authorized him to name a deputy to look after the affairs of the office during his absence, the deputy, of course, to be paid by Mr. Jeffrey. Mr. Jeffrey has enlisted in the officers' reserve corps and expects to be called to the training school at San Francisco within the next few days.
“The city council... refused to consider City Attorney F. R. Jeffrey’s resignation, but assured him that he would be kept on the city payroll as long as he is with the colors.”
This reflects the sudden civic disruption caused by WWI, showing how local government adapted to the mobilization of its professional staff. It highlights a unique moment in Kennewick municipal history where the council prioritized loyalty to a service member over standard administrative turnover.
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