The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1896-06-03
minutes af.er posting them up.

minutes after posting them up.
The men say they would have COM
pleted the ditch before fall, and il the
matter of finances is Strengthened up
they will do so yet. Most of them are
in the city without means. They are
determined that they must receive their
pay before work will be resumed on the
ditch.
M'CoY's STATEMENT.
Mr.. G. Fl. Mccoy has handed us the
following statement for publication:
The contract for ditch construction
was let to F. Erickson upon his repre-
sentations that he had large and valu-
liable grading plant, and was financially
able to carry the work to successful COM
pletion within the time specified in the
contract, which was in season for the ir-
rigation of crops for this year.
The company was particularly anxious
to get water down by June 1st, as the
farmers under the ditch had lost prob
ably 500 600 by partial failure of crops
last season, on account of lack of water
for irrigation. Mr.. Erickson, after con-
siderable delay. started the work with q
small outfit of teams (none of which
were his own and few men, and an
insufficient quantity of tools. I notified
him every week to increase his force to
the size specified in the contract, IA
teams and 175 men) which he failed to
do. His large and valuable plant also
failed to materialize. He kept promis-
ing to comply with the contract, how
ever, and 1 was fool enough to believe
that he would keep his promises. Thus
the work progressed In slow, hap
hazard sort of way. Although not pro-
vided in the contract, had advanced
him considerable sums of money to meet
his pressing needs, and also money to
pay his men On the first pay day, be-
sides accepting orders for supplies, tools,
etc. When the next pay day ap-
preached. believing that could provide
funds to pay the men, and wishing to
have something to show in Portland, the
actual sums due and to whom, took up
the mems time checks, giving them in
! payment therefor, with their full knowl-
edge and consent, notes for the several
aInou. Is, signed by the company. This
was perfectly straight and honorable
/ business transaction. and done in per-
feet good faith. Upon the back of each
time check Is the signature of the owner,
acknowledging payment by note. That
the notes were not paid when coming
due, is no fault OF mine, as will be shown
at the proper time. If every man was
arrested and jailed whose note was moi
paid when coming due, more than hall
the population of the country would be
in durance these hard times. Mr.
Erickson, by his failure to comply with
his contract has caused the com pany
great damage, and the settlers in the
Wapinitia country are likewise damaged
and disappointed. NY arrest is simply
an audacfous and outrageous abuse O
, the criminal law, at the county expense
to force the collection of private deb
of corporation.
The men who are forcing this expepe,
upon the county treasury for their owl
private gain, when a civil suit is thei
plain remedy, trust will not receiv
the sympathy of the community. First
class attorneys assure me that the trans
} actions were straightforward and legiti
, mate, andfthat there is nothing abon
. them that constitutes the crime of oh
tanning ANYTHING of value under falls
pretenses. Further, there was no inten
? to defraud or deceive.