The Seattle Armory Standoff

The resolution passed by the board of regents of the University of Washington instructing the secretary to take control of the armory building and the revenue derived from rental, and in case control was not given in a reasonable time, to request the attorney general to begin action for ejectment, has created a considerable stir in militia circles. Colonel J. C. Haines, of the First regiment, national guard of Washington, said: 'Resolutions are very cheap. The fact of the matter is, we have a lease for the ground on which the armory building stands for a period of ten years. The armory association erected the building last year at a cost of $12,000, and many of the citizens subscribed and took stock in the company, and still hold that stock. The only method of obtaining a revenue and of paying dividends is by subletting the building. So far as the charge that liquor has been sold on the premises is concerned, we know nothing about it. No liquor has ever been sold to our knowledge. One thing is certain, and that is that we do not intend to accede to their demands. The building is ours and it is located on leased ground, and if they think they can get it by going to law, let them go ahead. Why, they haven't a legal leg to stand on in court. If, however, they talk sense, and will pay us the cost of the building, $12,000, we may perhaps listen to them.' Colonel Haines further noted that the building slightly overran the leased land due to a surveying blunder, and that the university regents were leveraging this technicality to seize the structure without compensation.