Boodle Charges and a Vendetta at the University of Washington
A disgruntled former foreman accuses contractors and regents of corruption in the new state university building, but his allegations are picked apart by those involved.
B. W. Murray, recently discharged from his position as foreman on the new state university building, has repeated his charges of boodle and mismanagement in the construction project. In a letter to the Post-Intelligencer, Murray asserts that the board of regents' investigation was a sham, led by an 'expert' who was himself connected to the contractors. He claims the regents feared a real investigation would endanger a legislative appropriation for the university.
Murray's charges are systematically refuted by those involved. Contractor C. A. Ashenfelter says Murray was discharged for incompetence and for spreading rumors of boodle. C. L. Denny of the Denny Clay Company denies any wrongdoing, stating that Murray hinted at boodle but made no direct proposition. Stone contractors J. J. Fowler and E. A. Carlson say Murray advised them to conceal the quantity of stone delivered in order to cheat the railroad.
Major E. Hayden, chancellor of the board of regents, denies that any regent instructed Murray to approach the Denny Clay Company. Superintendent Johnson also denies Murray's claims. The consensus among contractors and regents is that Murray, seeking revenge for his dismissal, has fabricated or exaggerated his allegations.
“I was careful to keep strictly within five facts, and to claim less than could be proved. If a real investigation is made by the Post-Intelligencer I promise you that the result will be safe different from Mr. Carlisle's; it will have no smell of brick about it.”
Public works projects and allegations of corruption are perennial. The University of Washington remains a major public institution, and the fight over its construction foreshadows later debates about transparency and accountability in public spending.
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