The morning call., 1894-05-10
SUING THE FAIR.
Obstacles in the Way of
Plaintiffs.
Contracts That Are Missing and Pa
pers Wanting-Mr. de Young's
Experiences Yesterday.

Persons having suits against the Mid
winter Fair are experiencing considerable
difficulty in ascertaining exactly whom or
what to sue. The plan of organization n
was so carried out that tue exposition now
goes by several titles. but an exact and
definite legal title is wanting.
A suit has been on trial for the past two
days before Judge L. j. Murphy, wherein
Charles Fred Hall seeks an injunction re-
strainng the Midwinter Fair authorities
from letting contracts for electro-plating.
Hall claims that the exclusive concession
for electro-plating was granted 10 him, and
that the executive committee has gone
back ON its contract and is sub-letting TO
other people. On the other hand the par
ties representing the defendant say that
they granted no such concession 10 Hall,
and they deny his right to any such in
junction.
Direetor-Ge neral de Young attended the
case in person, and aroused the ire Of the
Judge by coming in late. Judge Murphy
said nothing on the first occasion, but
when Mr. de Young arrived late again yes
terday morning he was rather curtly in
formed that he was no better than any,
body else, and must conform to the rules
mortal. The rebuke, however. did not per-
ceptibly affect Mr.. de Young.
The great trouble throughout the case
was 10 find the original contract under
which Hall claimed the electro-plating
Notwithstanding peremp ptOry order 10
produce that paper, it was represented
on the part of the Mdwinter Fair auth ori-
ties that the contract was mislaid. Mr..
de Young was put on the witness-stand
and queS toned on this point. He denied
the signing of any contract such as Hall
claimed. but regretted his inability 10 pro-
duce the document signed, so that the
court could determine for itself.
Then Bert f. Miller, Halls attorney,
asked Mr. de Young to produce the origi-
nal organization papers OF the fair. so
that the precise legal title OF the under
taking might he ascertalned. 1t was ex-
planned that the defendant in suit like
this might demur to the complaint on the
ground that the legal title had not been
used in wording the complaint. Mr.. de
Young vas also ordered to produce these
papers in court. but he produced some
thing widely different which called forth
the remark from Judge Murphy that
surely Mr.. de Young as a business man
must understand what was asked of him,
and what papers are required TO be pro-
duced.
Finally the case was submitted and the
parties left the courtroom. But Mr. de
Young's legal troubles were not yet over
for the day. A few DAYS agn James Young
obtained Judgment in Judge Troutts court
for S4S00 and costs against f. RigOulot,
who performed some work on the electric
tower, judgment for money due on mate
rials supplied. Viscount de Cornely and
l.. B0net were garnisheed in this action,
but they asserted that their interest in the
concession had been parted with 10 the ex-
ecutive committee.
Cornely was called up before Judge Heb
bard on an order of examination, aud, in
reply TO questions, said that he had no
means. He had sunk some $4,000 in the
fair and had nothing TO show for 1t. Bert
+. Miller, who is Young's attorney, then
demanded that the books Of the Midwnter
Fair committee be thrown open TO nspec-
tion for the purpose of ascertaiDing If the
contentious of Cornely and Bonet were
true.
For this purpose Director-General de
Young found himself before Judge Heb
bard Yesterday also OF an order OF exami-
nation. He was asked to explain the deal
inGs of the committee with the parties to
the present suit. There was some discus
sion on the question of exhibiting the ac-
counts, but finally, on Mr. de Young in
vitiDg Mr.. OuDg and his attorney to the
fair grounds and promising to show them
all they desired from the books, the pro-
ceedings for the present came to an end
pending the investigation promised.