The City Council’s War on Williams: How Seattle Tried to Fire Its Own Engineer

The board of aldermen last evening attacked two of the knotty problems which now embarrass the city government: the contract with Benezette Williams and the proposed bond election. The ordinance defining the powers of the city engineer was passed, practically legislating Mr. Williams out of office and abrogating his contract, but leaving a loophole for his re-appointment as a subordinate of City Engineer Gardner.

Corporation Counsel Jacobs gave an opinion as to the probable consequence of this action in the shape of lawsuits by Mr. Williams and the aldermen acted with a full understanding of what they were doing. Judge Jacobs also gave opinions as to validity of the ordinance providing for an election on the issue of bonds to take up the city's floating debt, and for the annexation of the northern suburbs.

The real business of the evening was the fight in order. Delegate Barton introduced a bill for the collection of delinquent taxes on street improvements. But the heated debate centered on Benezette Williams. Mr. Miller said that by passing the ordinance they would be rid of Williams, and the sooner they passed it the sooner they would put an end to his 2 per cent commission.

President Hall noted that the ordinance canceled that contract by implication, but warned that Harris & Co., who sold the bonds, might refuse to release funds until the legality of Williams' contract was settled. "This ordinance throws all the responsibility on the city engineer," said Judge Jacobs. "It may delay the payment of the money for the bonds... if Williams sues the city, that terminates his contract. There is more danger of his not suing the city and claiming to be still the engineer."

The council ultimately passed the ordinance repealing the bond election and extended city limits election, while endorsing a bill prepared by Judge Jacobs to validate the city's debt in the legislature.