The Seattle Star

Tacoma's Grafters

Committee of Twelve Tell How They Secured Evidence of Graft Amounting to More Than $20,000

TACOMA, Jan. 30.—Of its own volition, the special investigating committee of the city council held an executive session last night to hear the evidence in the possession of the committee of twelve. As it had been the understanding that the session would be open to the public, the council chamber was filled to the point of suffocation, and when the announcement was made that the meeting would be held behind closed doors, there were groans of disapproval and an avalanche of hisses from the disappointed crowd.

Some Witnesses Refuse.

The members of the committee of twelve accepted the decision with disfavor, and some of them were inclined to refuse to testify unless the session was a public one. John H. Scott was among these. He said that he would not appear before the committee unless the private stenographer of the committee of twelve was admitted.

While none of those present at the investigation last night will allow his name to be used in connection with anything that occurred, several persons today let drop certain statements which indicate that the investigators revealed some startling facts as to the manner in which they secured their evidence of graft against city officials.

From all that can be learned, the most important testimony that was brought out concerned an interview between Councilman Conrad and George Milton Savage, of the Independent Paving company, which was overheard by three members of the investigating committee.

Trap Was Laid.

By means of two holes about eight inches in diameter cut in the partition between Mr. Savage's office in the Bank of Commerce building, and an adjoining room, the investigators heard and saw all that took place in the paving contractor's office while Mr. Conrad was present.

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