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Story
January 30, 1906
The Seattle Star
Seattle, King County, Washington
What is this article about?
Criticism of J.E. Pharo's resignation as agent of the Pacific Coast Company following the Valencia disaster, accusing him of prioritizing company finances over rescue efforts and obstructing reporters from accessing the wreck scene.
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Full Text
EXIT OF AGENT PHARO
The precipitate resignation of General Agent J. E. Pharo, of the Pacific Coast Company, coming so closely upon the heels of the Valencia disaster and his order to the Queen to leave the scene of the wreck upon the arrival of the Topeka, and proceed with her trip to San Francisco, will not save him from a thorough and searching investigation.
Pharo's action regarding the Queen can in no way be condoned. It was one of the most inexcusable proceedings connected with the whole lamentable affair.
Apparently Mr. Pharo could not forget, even when a shipload of people were perishing almost within arm's reach, that there was a bunch of passengers held at Victoria hotels at the company's expense, while the Queen was at the wreck.
Nor could he seemingly close his eyes to the fact that the Queen's officers and crew cost much money every day, or that her coal bill was rapidly running up.
Was the saving of human lives, or the saving of the Pacific Coast Company's money the thought uppermost in Pharo's mind?
Let ex-Agent Pharo speak, if he has anything to say.
By the way, it was this same man, Pharo, who tried to prevent newspaper men from going to the scene of the wreck.
It was he who had reporters removed from the rescuing steamer Topeka when she was about to leave Seattle Tuesday night.
It did not appear to matter to him that hundreds of anxious relatives would want the news next day, or that the public generally would be clamoring for the information it had a right to receive.
But Pharo evidently thought the company wanted secrecy.
Pharo is no longer with the Pacific Coast Company as agent.
He has suddenly resigned.
In his desire to serve his employers, did he go a step too far?
The precipitate resignation of General Agent J. E. Pharo, of the Pacific Coast Company, coming so closely upon the heels of the Valencia disaster and his order to the Queen to leave the scene of the wreck upon the arrival of the Topeka, and proceed with her trip to San Francisco, will not save him from a thorough and searching investigation.
Pharo's action regarding the Queen can in no way be condoned. It was one of the most inexcusable proceedings connected with the whole lamentable affair.
Apparently Mr. Pharo could not forget, even when a shipload of people were perishing almost within arm's reach, that there was a bunch of passengers held at Victoria hotels at the company's expense, while the Queen was at the wreck.
Nor could he seemingly close his eyes to the fact that the Queen's officers and crew cost much money every day, or that her coal bill was rapidly running up.
Was the saving of human lives, or the saving of the Pacific Coast Company's money the thought uppermost in Pharo's mind?
Let ex-Agent Pharo speak, if he has anything to say.
By the way, it was this same man, Pharo, who tried to prevent newspaper men from going to the scene of the wreck.
It was he who had reporters removed from the rescuing steamer Topeka when she was about to leave Seattle Tuesday night.
It did not appear to matter to him that hundreds of anxious relatives would want the news next day, or that the public generally would be clamoring for the information it had a right to receive.
But Pharo evidently thought the company wanted secrecy.
Pharo is no longer with the Pacific Coast Company as agent.
He has suddenly resigned.
In his desire to serve his employers, did he go a step too far?
What sub-type of article is it?
Disaster
Historical Event
What themes does it cover?
Catastrophe
Justice
Deception
What keywords are associated?
Valencia Disaster
Pharo Resignation
Pacific Coast Company
Rescue Obstruction
Company Secrecy
What entities or persons were involved?
J. E. Pharo
Where did it happen?
Scene Of The Valencia Wreck
Story Details
Key Persons
J. E. Pharo
Location
Scene Of The Valencia Wreck
Story Details
J.E. Pharo resigns amid criticism for ordering the Queen to abandon the Valencia wreck site to save company costs, despite ongoing peril to survivors, and for blocking reporters from accessing information.