The Great Tacoma Water Steal
Citizens and council members clash over alleged bribery and misappropriation of funds in the city's purchase of a water system.
Judge Parker of the superior court says: 'There is no doubt that we shall have a grand jury, and it is my opinion it will be called early in January.' A prominent citizen stated today: 'If a grand jury is secured to investigate the water steal, $100,000 will be put up to buy it off and prevent any developments. Money was spent right and left to carry its purchase, and more would be spent to prevent the boodlers from being found out.' A councilman, versed in city finances, says: 'It was the influence of City Treasurer Boggs that allowed the Wright $100,000 indemnity bond to pass the council, thus closing the whole deal.' A proposition has been made to have warrants accepted in payment of debts of the city, and arrangements have been made to have ordinances passed for the payment of accounts in warrants, and not in cash. Much objection is raised to this, and citizens have refused to accept warrants.
“Money was spent right and left to carry its purchase, and more would be spent to prevent the boodlers from being found out.”
Public infrastructure projects often attract both graft and grandstanding. The 'water steal' in Tacoma echoes modern civic struggles over the management of public utilities and the transparency of large-scale municipal contracts.
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