Yik Wah Battles the City for Water Credits
A resident confronts the Board of Public Works over unpaid water bills and lost receipts, illustrating the chaotic administration of city utilities.
The board of public works was visited yesterday by Yik Wah, accompanied by his attorney. Yik Wah alleged that he had paid the former superintendent of the water department, W. K. Wilson, money for water rent for which he had no receipt. He also claimed he provided credits for private work performed, which he understood would be applied to his water rent, totaling about $72. Corporation Counsel Donworth advised the board that since the cash payments were made to an authorized official, the city must honor the credit, though the city is not responsible for the private labor charges. The board requested an affidavit to document the reason for this administrative decision.
“Yik Wah is entitled to credit for them, but the city cannot be responsible for the amounts charged to private work.”
This case highlights the messy transition of Seattle's public utilities from personal, informal dealings to standardized municipal systems. Even in 1893, city bureaucracy often left marginalized residents—specifically immigrant business owners—having to prove their basic claims against the state.
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