The San Francisco call., 1904-11-16
HANFORD FILES
COUNTER BILL
Wants Tirey L. Ford to Pay
Heavy Commission for Pro-
noting United Railroads
GIVES HISTORY OF DEAL
Says He Hired Attorney to
Assist and Charges Him
With a Loss of $370,0O0

Tirey L. Ford, general attorney for
the United Railroads and former At
torney General of the State of Califor-
MIA, has been sued by Robert G. Han
ford for $370,000. Hanford says that he
would have received that sum as ad-
ditional commission for promoting the
sale of the stock of the San Francisco
and San Mateo, the Market street and
the Sutter street Railroad companies If
it had not been for Ford's alleged acts.
The promoters big demand is made
in an answer and crosse complaint to
the suit Of Milton Bernard, as assignee,
for S25 465 alleged to be due for Serv-
ices performed by Ford for Hanford be-
tween September 1. 1900, and May, 1902,
and interest thereon. Bernard'S first
claim was for $4,000 as a balance due
on demand for $4,000 for services be-
tween the dates mentioned, and the Sec
ond for $4,000 for additional services
rendered between January, 1901, and
May, 1902
Hanford, in his cross-complaint. de-
clares that the assignment to Bernard
was made for the purpose of concealing
Ford's identity in the suit and he says
that Bernard has no real interest in the
result. For that reason his counter
claim is directed against Ford in per-
son. 1t is also contended that Ford's
agreement to perform the services was
void and unlawful as he was Attorney
General of the State at the time.
AS abstracted from the voluminous
defense, Hanford's story is substan-
TALLY as follows: About September 1,
1900, he conceived the idea of interesting
capitalists in Baltimore and New York
in the street railways of this city and
neighboring counties, particularly the
San Mateo, Market street and Sutter
street lines. He thought If he could
bring about the sale of the shares at
prices satisfactory to the Eastern par
ties he would receive a large commits
sion. 1t would be necessary, said Han
ford, to persuade the local holders to
sell at a price that would seem profit
able to the buyers and the undertaking
would require as much work here as in
the East. He would be compelled to
be absent for some time and would, he
said, need some one upon whom he
could rely to assist him and represent
his interests here.
EMPLOYS ATTORNEY.
At that time he says, Ford was the
duly qualified Attorney General of the
State. Hanford considered him well
fitted for the service needed and dis
closed to him all of his plans. Ford.
cepted the positions:
The deal progressed to a point when
on April 25 1901, the Eastern capital
lists purchased all of the shares of the
San Francisco and San Mateo Railroad
Company. Hanford then paid Ford
$4,000. on account.
In January, 1902, the Eastern capital
lists purchased the shares of the two
other lines. During the deal he had in
troduced Ford to the purchasers and
their agents as his confidential repre-
sentative and adviser, and during Han
ford's absence they frequently corre
sponded directly with Ford on the busi-
ness in hand.
Hanford alleges that at about the
time of the purchase, the question Of
his services and compensation came up
and the Fasteners, cOnceding that the
services had been valuable, still claimed
that large part of the work had been
performed by Ford, and they were pre-
pared to contend that Ford was not
acting for him in any manner. Han
ford replied that Ford had been en-
ployed by him.
Hanford says that Ford was then
trying to obtain the position as general
attorney Of the railroad companies as
soon as the purchase of the stock was
consummated and he was afraid the
statement Hanford desired might mill
tate against his chances.
The Sutter street shares were sold
for about $3.000,000 and the Market
street stock for $4,000 900 and Hanford
says per cent would have been fair