Klamath republican., February 13, 1913, Image 5

when compelled to do so by the city
of Klamath Fulls. Heavy rates were
charged for light and water, which
the people of Klamath Falls paid for
years.
ness of the county need cause no one
any worry, for the reason that It Is
small compared to Its valuation. With
almost a 117,000,000 tax roll ths
general fund Indebtedness of |3S7,-
in the fifth of a series of* state­ Is so serious and u< utu that It Is my bunks leave been tlie recipients of before were any permanent roads
“When the reclamation of lands in 000 in round numbers mentioned In
ments In answer to the recent report plain duty to the people und to myself such favor by tlie people of Kluneuth built? We will speak about these Klamath county was Inaugurated by the grand Jury report is a mere bag­
of tlie Klamath county grand Jury, to uncover as fur as possible the county. 'I iicy have (mid no interest tilings later and at the proper time; th«- government several years ago one atelle. The amount which any single
Judge Worden of the county court wot kings und methods used by a cet- for the money committed to their care but now I want to reiterate most em­ of the plans was to construct a ditch taxpayer would be compelled to pay,
lust night made serious charges tnln set of men to accomplish their and of course have been permitted to phatically that the insistence of Mr. from the I'pper Lake to Keno. Cer­ in case of its liquidation, would ba
against prominent bunkers In Klam­ financial ends."
loan tills money to tlie taxpayers ut Martin and Mr. Melhase ana of the tain agreements were entered into very small. A county with thin show­
ath Falls.
"Him «> January 1, 11* 11, a period of the rule of 10 per cent. In other two bunks with which they are con­ with the owners for riparian rights ing could afford to go In debt a mil­
In his statement Judge Worden practically two years and one month, words, you have paid Interest to bor­ nected, to Interfere with the political along the river, and this ditch was lion or a million and a half dollars,
charges that Alex Martin and C. H. I have served you In the public < upac- row your own money, at a good, sub­ affairs of Klamath county would not built at great cost a sufficient distance and still be within good business
Moore called Major ('. K. Worden, of county Judge. Imrlng that time I stantial rate, too.
be healthy for you as taxpayers, Judg to grant water power to the .Moore lines. A corporation with the valua­
plant on the west side of the river, tion of Klamath county would not
futher of Judge Worden, Into tlie have tried to do the two tilings 1 con­
"Il is a well known fact that the mg the future by the past.
Any further work was stopped, and hesitate to go in debt seven or eight
First National bank one day nn<l made tracted to do, according to the terms power of money Is so great that the
Without any malice or ill feeling
at
a later date. In some way, confla­ millions, and perhaps more than that.
a proposition to him In substance as of my agreement with you, namely, to ramifications of tlie Influence of finan­ loward Mr. Martin or any one con­
follows: That the grand Jury wus build u new court house on the sit» cial institutions extend In so many di­ nected with the First National baux, | nation of the ditch to Keno was aban- This is safe discussion for the reason
that the assessed valuations In Klam­
•non to meet and that County Judge upon which It Is now being erected, rections that many of our citizens are I wish to call your attention to a few 1 doned.
Worden and t'omtnlssloiicr Huy Mer­ und to construct good roads, Iturlng ut times forced to borrow, and are dl- facts which have existed in Klamath
"The farmers of the county have ath county are very low. That being
rill "had to go"; that they (Martin thut time I have endcuvorc-d to con- ircctly under the influence of these it: county for years, and which some of
for the I'aMt "«»»-ral years and the case, if these banks had stood
and Moor«) had sufficient Influence duct Hie office along business like htltutlons, nnd are many times com­ Hit men who have lived here darlnj, are now paying for this construction back of the county court, as In a com­
wltli the grand Jury to stop any pro­ lilies and In u manner Intended to pelled to so shape their conduct In that time will readily recognize as at the rate of |3 per acre per year. All munity with normal conditions gov-
ceedings before that body; Hint Com­ promote t)>« dignity of tlie office in private and political uffuirs us to meet the truth. To the people and newer water users in the county are sub­ 'ernlng the attitude of the banking In­
missioner Merrill bad already prom­ uccordunce with Hie dignity attiK'hud tlie will and tiie desires and the ap­ I citizens who have come since that scribing to this fund, and will con- terests toward the general welfare of
ised ;<> resign; and that If Judge Wor­ to It by tlie law. I have suffered proval of Hie people whom they owe. time, I beg you to rend carefully, so itlnue to do so until each |30 per 'the taxpayers, we could have done
den would resign limy would see to It much criticism and lib use upon the ti oilier words, u man Indebted to you may know some of the conditions [acre has been paid. Later this power everything we have done and kept our
that tlie threatened Investigation part of Individuals and cliques who these Institutions, should he be hold­ leading up to the present situation.
I plant was sold to the present owners, warrants at par.
would be stopped.
"In cases where 'inquiries came
are opposed to the policies of the ing a position In a public capacity. Is
"Tlie First National bank is the the California-Oregon Power compa­
My father told these gentlemen county court. From tlm« to time vari­ more or less, perforce of clrcuni- outgrowth of the Klamath County ny, for a presumably large sum of ftom outride institutions to the home
that he would place th« matter before ous mutters have been discussed with stances, amenable to their desires. Il bank, which was founded and formed money. In the meantime, Mr. Moore banks from sources in which we were
m« w lien I returned from Portland," the taxpayers In open letters from the is a dangerous position, uni ono and has its first place of business In I was. In conjunction with Mr. Selling placing our paper at par, very unsat­
says Judge Worden, In bls statement, county court, und It has been done which should not be tolerated oy the the old brick store near the bridge of Portland, constructing a large isfactory recommendations were sent
".is I wus then In Portland attending In un entirely Impersonally rnuuner, people of uny community.
| across Link River. When the writer building in the heart of the business tack. How nice it would have been
n meeting of the county judges of In Hie hope tliut tlie animosities und
' Therefore, It is to be deplored that first came to Klamath county, the jdistrict of that city. Since the pur­ if all the interests could have worked
the prejudice und th« hate which Messrs. Murtln and Meihaae should be most active part of Klamath Falls chase of the light and water company together and the banks at home could
Oregon.
Valifornla-Oregon Power com- have stood by us—the banks which
arose
over the choice of location of identified with a movement to dis- was in the vicinity of the bridge. The ¡^
•When I returned he tola mu what
Martin and Moore hud wuld to hlm. I Hie new' court house might In time lie pens» with Hie present county court, most Important business was done DanF they have Invested large addi- were holding the county's actual cash
money. Increasing their funds and profiting by the interest ac­
was not surprised, because Fred Mel- eradicated and forgotten and a large It would look much better had they, there, and it was the political as well ^*ona* ,un”
uh
the
commercial
center
of
Klamath
¡•
nv
®*
tm
®nt
substantially
for the pur­ cruing to them while so deposited—
majority
of
those
r<
Idlng
In
the
during
the
past
two
years,
und
were
1
base, president of the American Hank
and what a splendid showing the county
------- service,
----- - -----------
and Trust company, had already told county l>e united In u common effort they now, trying to assist the court county. Mr. Alex Martin and Mr. C. pose of affording _ better
have
made
two
reductions
in
the
price
j could have made, even though corn­
to
promote
the
public
good.
I
In
bringing
about
something
good
for
8. Moore have been associated in
me that this proposition would be put
'd
vater
and
light
«Ince
their
acquire-
veiled to issue warrants for its im-
"It
seems,
however,
that
tills
much-
tlie
public
welfare.
Instead
of
that,
business
for
many
years
In
what
is
up to m« by Martin and Moore.
th«. property.
nrnn.n.
provements. As it is, everything the
"on Saturday. Januury II, Melhase desired condition cannot be attained, they have In every way possible, in­ known as the "old brick store." They ment of the
“I mention these things simply to , present county court has accomplish-
came to me and said that Im wanted und that there are certain Individuals terfered with whatever the court at­ are now large factors and heavy stock
to see in« on urgent business und sug- in Klamath county who will never be tempted to accomplish. They have, holders in the First National bank. show you that I do not believe the i ed has been done in the face of a per-
l.csted that Im have a conference with satisfied until either by fnlr means or by their recommendations, acts ana Settling In the west «nd of town and people of Klamath county are indebt­ . nicious opposition on the part of those
mo at my house Hunduy afternoon. 1 foul, rule or ruin, they once more se­ Influence, depreciated the value of having their business interests there. I ed to Mr. Martin or to Mr. Moore or . who are now openly seeking to re­
told him to meet m« in my office in cure control of tlie county's affairs. county warrants and discredited the It was, of course, a difficult matter for to any of their alliances in any way, move us from office, having failed to
j
to realize that Klamath Falls nd that I do not believe that it would tie our hands or stop the work we
tli< court house Instead. On Hunduy, For thut reason, and due to that con­ county court in every possible way [them
¡could ever grow in any other direc­ be wise to let either them or their have begun.
Januury 12. Im visited me In my office dition, a certain clique of people has that lay within their power.
"The recall petition is the last re-
"I want to speak of all the things tion - that the business center could representatives secure in any way the i
.it the court house, according to ap- continued to promote the circulation
of
reports
reflecting
upon
and
Intend
­
which have had an effe<M or bearing ever gravitate away from their own management of the county's affairs. sort open to the opposition to the pol­
l o'utmenl.
upon the situation at issue; and 1 de- | orbperty. From the conduct of their Because, in times past, some have se­ icies of the present county court. Ob­
"He started right In with his story. ed to injure tlie county court.
Tim first th'iig Im said was, 'Hill, this I "It is quite natural that a part of sire to say right here that I am sorry affairs since they have lived here, one cured loans from these banks is no stacles of various kinds have been
grand Jury is going to break your the residents of any county should not that Mr Alex Martin signed that let­ j would be led to believe that they nev­ favor; you bad to put up the security placed in our way at every step we
neck.' And then he suid that, as a be suited with the administration of ter In which it is attempted to pave er thought that any Improvement or you would not have got it, and in have made for the betterment of
friend. Im would udvise me to resign. Its affairs. I believe thut never in the way for recall, for the reason that could occur in the east end of town, case you had not been able to pay you roads or the building of the new court
I tie grund Jury would Indict me, ho Klamath county lias there been a time I do not believe that he would lend and that no investment of a perma­ would have been forced to pay. You house upon the site in the Hot Springs
|
to Huch a move. 1 want to nent nature could be profitable in were simply buying the use of so tract. Intrigues too deep for the light
said. I asked him whut charge they when all th« people were pleased with 'himself
would bring against me, and declared uny administration. In discussing the 1 say ut the outset In discussing Mr. Klamath Falls; or that they simply much money for a certain time at a of day to penetrate to the bottom have
there wus nothing In my official life grand Jury's report up to this time we j Marlin, that 1 have always been hla wanted to stay here until they could 'certain price, and, as suggested above, ensnared our every step toward pro­
1 have gone out of my way make as much as money as they could that is a very pertinent reason why gression, and, after going to the haz­
that would not bear the light of the have contented ourselves with facts friend
these men should not have control of ardous undertaking of claiming to be
fullest and most hostile Investigation. which we could discuss with our pres­ to assist him and his relatives at his and then leave the country.
"For years Messrs Martin & Moore ' public affairs, because of the fact that able to influence a grand Jury to pro­
Ho answered Dial It would make no ent knowledge, and only such well own request. Personally, I have al-
difference whether or not I could be known facta as we are able to gather v ays liked him, and believe that be conducted a general store in the old [so many people become indebted to ceed or halt in its duty, the financial
convicted on any churge that the prior to tlie report of the expert now ihas numerous friends in Klamath brick store building near the river, 'them that they would be at times al­ powers have put forth a tentative step
to sway public sentiment of the voters
grund Jury would bring, that the Im­ examining the books at the county ’ .county who like him as well. There I with practically no competition, and most forced to do their wills.
portant thing would be that I would court's own request long before the 1 lx no question but what there are men the purchaser could pay the price or
"You will perhaps remember that of Klamath county into a frame of
bo disgraced before the people of grand Jury got Into action. There are • here whom be has assisted in times not, Just as he chose. The class of Mr. Martin maintains his home in mind to receive a recall petition with
Klamath county by reason of tbo In­ other points which will he discussed past; and Mr. Martin, 1 say with a building which they did is evidenced California and is a citizen of Califor­ willing ears. It is our belief that the
dictment, und thut before a trial could when bls report Is completed, since at feeling of regret, for he is now past by the construction of the additions nia, merely retaining his interests in men in Klamath county who have so
bo held u recall petition would be clr- Hint time only can reliable figures be 74 years old, and has already lived I to the old brick store and the Lake­ the bank in Klamath Falls. He is not long felt these unseen influences and
[ longer than the time allotted to man side Inn. They never constructed in a registered voter in this county, and known the selfish ends to which their
< uluted mid thut 1 would be thrown 1procered.
"As signified In our last letter to you
out of office before 1 could defend my­
three score years and ten—and, of ( a permanent manner.
not on the jury list or eligible thereto every effort has been directed, will
[see the danger to their own welfare in
self.
tthere are certain people in Klamath {course, having amassed a fortune I ! "In the old days the brick store was in Klamath county.
always the political center of Klamath
"I asked him who were back of this county who have not yet given up the now lives in tho past.
"There is another thing which I the working out of the plans of those
move, und Im said that I had very In­ Idea that the new court house shall i "What can there be in Mr. Martin's [county. Vnder the old convention sys­ would like to mention, and that is who are promoting the proposed re­
fluential people opposed to me. 'It Is be erected on the old site, and that mind relative to the future? What can tem, tickets were made and nominat- hat Mr. Martin is a very heavy holder call election on the two members of
different now- to what It was a few there Is a plan on foot to remove the Ills plans be any further than to con­ [ed there before the convention met. ¡in the concern of Harris & Co. , con- the county court. We have stood our
*
‘ in —
months ago,' he said, the people who structure now in course of erection serve ills own interests In what may and for years and years it was a iCrete workers,
Klamath -----
Falls. Har­ ground in fighting for the money to
are against you now are mon of In­ to the old site, providing two mem­ seem to him to be the best possible standard saying in Klamath county ris & Co. has done a large amount of make road improvements; we feel
fluence.* I uaked him who they were, bers of the present county court can way for the short time he has to live? that if any man wanted office he must work for Klamath county during the that we have done our duty up to the
and he said that very likely during tie removed from office, or recalled.
.Consequently, Mr. Martin would not first secure the consent of the brick past two years. During the last sea- Present time, and have no fear of the
Politics of the style whicn son in which Mr. Martin has been in- result of a fair fight on a recall. When
"Under date of February 3 copies l>e a suitable person to direct the af­ store.
tlm next week I would bo approached
by two men and asked to resign. I of ths grand Jury report In booklet fairs of the county; neither would [ have led to the adoption of our pres­ terested, they built the abuttments the people of Klamath county say
asked him who these two men wore. form have been mailed throughout any man under his dominance bo fit­ ent primary system were in vogue for the Bonanza bridge, also a large they wish us to surrender our charge
Ho said they would probably be Alex the county. Curtain Individuals have ted to do so, for the reason that Mr. , then, and only since that time has it 'concrete bridge in the adjacent vicin- back to them, we will gladly do so.
taken upon themselves to have this Martin will never live to see the im­ been that these men and their influ- ■ ity, and the foundation for the new But we will not resign at the demand
Martin and Charlie Moore.
"I went to Portland within a day or report printed ut considerable expense provements that you und 1 desire. ence have not dominated Klamath court house on the Hot Springs tract. of any two men who say they can di­
two, and upon my return my father and spread broadcast in the hope tliat For years'and years of his life has county.
This was completed late in the fall, rect a verdict of the grand jury at
"Looking back through the history and it was our determination to throw their pleasure.
told ino that Martin and Moore had It will prejudice the minds of the peo­ been given to the gathering of money,
WILLIAM S. WORDEN.
ple and pave the Way for a successful to conserving and to loaning it out; of that period extending over twenty this work to local firms and local la­
made their proposition to him.
"I was astounded that any set of recall of Mr. Merrill and myself.
and 1 do not believe that his judg­ years, you can find nowhere in the bor, and keep our money at home as
"It Is also believed to be a fact that ment, centered by life-long habit to ¡county where a quarter of a mile of much as possible. 1 am sure Mr. Mar­
men In thin county could pretend to
Tom Richardson was in thf county
have control of the grand Jury, or several of tlie large timber owners in this narrow scope of financial activity. permanent road was constructed. tin was glad to get this business, and seat Wednesday from his ranch iu
Hint such an outrageous proposition Hie county are back of the move, and Is qualified to pass upon whether I here is no evidence of any expendi­ appreciated it at the time, and 1 can North Poe Valley.
could be placed before tiny man. I are contributing to a fund of $4,000, Klamath county is properly managed ture on the part of the county that testify that the work done by Harris
did not know whether or not the pre­ which is said to have been subscribed because the county court has seen fit accomplished anything permanent.
& Co. was first class in every particu­
J. Walter Call of Medford is here to
"Looking over the city of Klamath lar. But Mr. Martin knew at that call on the grocery trade.
tentions of Martin and Moore wero by Home of Hie signers of tlie above to spend some money and to accom­
based upon fact. I knew, of course mentioned letter and some other in­ plish much needed Improvements, and Falls, where can we find any public time that the county court had been
tlnit It. V. Kuykendall, former district dividual* whose names do not appear, to go Into debt for the same in the building or improvement of a perma­ spending money knew that it stood
Suvmnons
attorney, who had Initiated the pro­ to be used In defraying the cost of only way it was possible to do so. Mr. nent nature which have been made for progression and for improvement In the Circuit Court of the State of
ceedings against the county court be- bringing about Hie recall of two m«n Martin's attitude as president of the by these men? It is true they are —but never a word did he say or ad­
Oregon, for Klamath County.
f >re the present gram) Jury, wan at­ hers of the county court, A report Is financial institution which ho repre­ now rebuilding the old First National vice did he give relative to the affairs Mary L. Morse, Plaintiff,
torney for the First National bunk, in circulation Hint Mr. Silas Oben- sents, should not have a great deal of bank building at the corner of Fourth of the county being in bad shape. He
vs.
i nd handled the personal business of chain, one of the signers of tlie letti i, 'weight with people who are progres­ and Main streets. If they are prac­ was content with his share of the John P. Morse, Defendant.
tical men and competent to do public profits Just so long as business was To John P. Morse, the Above-Named
Martin and Moore; but I could not is the recall candidate for county sive.
then bring myself to believe, and I Judge.
"Then, too, lie hns been connected work (the new court house for ex­ coming his way. In this he differs
Defendant:
"By looking over the signatures of for long years with an enterprise ample) it is not evidenced by the con­ from no other individual with whom In the Name of the State of Oregon:
cannot now bring myself to believe,
that tlie members of tlie grand Jury the above letter we find Hint tlie first which has in many Instances dictated struction they are doing on this we have had dealings; and I mention
You are hereby summoned to ap­
are consciously under tlie Influence of two are Alex Martin and Fred Mel- tho policies of Klamath county in the | building. For instance, look at the it merely as a matter to show that pear and answer the complaint filed in
Hits set of men. I prefer to believe hase. It I h a well known fact that past. During the last two years it large columns in front of.the build- whenever self or personal interest is the above entitled suit within six
that whatever the members of the these two gentlemen ale |>rcsld»nts has been impossible for nnv bank to ling. They could just as well have concerned it has a very large bearing weeks after the first publication of
grad Jury have done has been done of two of the largest financial institu­ dictate to tlie county court. We have 1 been constructed correctly the tlrsi upon tlie action of any person or indi­ this summons In the Klamath Repub­
11 h the thought that they were tions in Kliiinalli county. Mr. Mnrt'u been ow tied by no one except our­ time as now. Later they will have to vidual.
lican newspaper; and you will take
r'glit. and that they have been misb'd of tlie First National hank (successor selves, and have done tho things be plastered and re-shaped, whicn
"During the two years which we notice that if you fail to appear and
to the Klamath County bank), tin I which we felt were for the best inter­ will cost practically ns much as the have served you as a county court we answer or plead within said time, the
b.v elever schemers.
"lint a situation so serious as the Mr. Mellmse of tlie American Bank est of Hie county, present and future, ’ 'Irst construction. If any work sim­ have tried to accomplish results as plaintiff, for want thereof, will apply
in the only way we could accomplish ilar to tills should be done on the new- best we could under the conditions in to the above entitled court for the re­
present one, In which certain persons mid Trust company.
"It should Im remembered thut them. Therefore, as suggested In sev­ court house, they would never stop which we found tilings when we be­ in f demanded in the complaint filed
re < la Ini Ing to hold the grand Jury of
thia county In their hands, calls for these two bmikH have been Hie depos­ eral places above, it Is deplorable that criticising us, and I want to assure gan work. Klamath county had en­ in said suit, to-wit.: For a decree of
exposure, and when my father told itories of the county funds eve! since these financial institutions should at­ you that it will not be done, for the tered upon an era of increased popu­ this court forever dissolving the bonds
me of tlo> proposition that had been Ibero have been banks In Kliim.th tempt to Interfere with tho political reason that it is not necessary to do lation and incoming business which of matrimony existing between the
demanded better road conditions and plaintiff and the defendant, and for
put up to him, I made up my mind county. Thousands and th nisi'ids of affairs of Klamath county. Taking a such work as that.
"Mr. C. 8. Moore was Interested in greater facilities for properly hand­ such other and further relief as to
then and there that I would stick to dollars havc< laid there to be disbtiis- bearing from any angle from which
my guns anil that I would tell the ed by the treasurer of tlie county, sub­ they c n be considered, their personal the Klamath Falls Light and Water ling the needs of a rapidly growing the court may seem meet.
public tlio whole story from begin­ ject to tlie orders of the county court Interests are so great Hint, should company, and afterwards acquired county and city. It was imperative
This summons is published pursu­
ning to end, omitting nothing that You will remember that the $02,000 they be permitted to get In control of title to it. Many old residents will that improvements be made, and there ant to the order of the above entitled
would show clearly the motives be­ ■ourt house fund w as deposit« I with the situation at this time, how do we remember that when this company w as no w ay to secure money except by court made on the 13th day of Feb­
hind tills plan, where certain persons the American llnnk and Trust compa­ know but what they would do as they was organized tho town of Klamath direct taxation; so we went into debt ruary, A. I). 1913, and the first publi­
claim that they can move the wheels ny while tlie contentions und legal en­ lave always done In the past? In oth­ Falls was induced to subscribe 910,- the only way we could, and that by cation thereof is made in the Klamath
of Justice to suit their own selfish tanglements of tlu> court house con­ er words, looking back over the his­ 000 towards its construction. The the warrant route, If these large Republican newspaper on February
purposes and Influence the nettona of troversy were' going on. It hns been tory of the county, where has any­ first construction of water mains on financial Institutions at home had 13, 1913.
quite a nice thing 'or any bank to be­ thing been done, outside of one ad­ Main street consisted of old second­ stood hack of us and had helped us
KUYKENDALL & FERGUSON,
a grand Jury of this county.
'‘Much ns I dlHliko to indulge In come the depository of thee«' funds, ministration. except that accomplish­ hand. leaky pipe, which the company keep up the value of warrants, they
Attorneys for Plaintiff.
personalities, I feel tlint the situation and for long, long yearH these two ed by the present county court? When had later to keep up and replace would today be at par. The Indebted- I 13-20-27-6-13-20-27
Letter from the County Court