The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-11-06
TIES UP $4,000, 600.
Brothers Engage in a Lawsuit over
Their Fathers Estate

Chicago, Nov. 6.=After seeking in
vain for two years to obtain the bulk
of the 100000 estate of his father
the late William T. Baker, who was
the founder of the Civic federation,
first vice president of the Worlds
Columbian exposition, and seven
times president of the board of trade
Charles H. Baker has fled a bill in
the United States circuit court charg-
ing his brother Howard with fraud
asking for an injunction tying up the
estate and for a decree giving him a
one-half interest in a great power
plant in the state of Washington
Howard w. Baker assistant man
ager of Butler Bros, is administrator
of the estate and is charged with ma
nipulating stock to defraud his
brother In the family mansion at
2255 Michigan avenue Howard Baker
last night characterized his brothers
action as blackmail and sandbagging,
inspired by motives of spite and re-
venge.
The brothers graduated from Cor
nell university as civil engineers in
1856. Charles, the elder by one year,
went west to make his fortune. How
ard remained with his father and was
with him when he died suddenly of
heart disease at his country home in
Highland Park the night of October
6, 1908.
Charles discovered the possibilities
of utilizing the power of waterfalls
in the state of Washington to fur
nish electrical power for surround
ing cities He worked over his plan
for over ten years, and in 1898 inter
ested his father to such an extent that
the senior Baker furnished money to
finance a power company.
He secured a franchise through
great effort and today the SnOqualmie
Falls and White River Power COM
pany furnishes light to thousands of
people in Seattle, Tacoma, and other
cities of washington.
The young man was made presi-
dent of the company, and declares
there was a complete understanding
that he was to be given a half in
terest.
His father died suddenly. without
warning to the SON." in the language
of the bill. A refunding plan, where
by the estate was to revert to the
heirs. was placed in the hands of the
banking firms of n. w. Harris & Co.
of Chicago, and Dexter, Horton & Co.
of Seattle. The Commercial Trust
company was made trustee of the
stock in the power company.
This was done to defraud him OF
his half portion, Charles asfeges. His
brother said last night, however, that
he has papers signed by Charles il
which he acquiesces to both plans.
my brother to my father" said How
ara Baker. 'in which he asked father
to make him a partner in the bust,
ness. I have many letters written by
my father refusing.
Ever since fathers death he has
made repeated proposals to me that
/ If ] would help prove his partnership
/ he would divide the spOils with me
/ His lawyer, J. Hamilton Lewis, cor
pCration counsel, has asked me to dc
Ia fcs - s~,%- 80
Last fall my brother was forced
! from the presidency of the company
by N. w. Harris & Co. He was not
running the plant along business lines
/ He is now in New York getting VI
some scheme. This, together Will
I my refusal to listen to his plan, which
! would have cheated the other heirs
/ cut of their portion, angered him
/ This bill has been threatened. II
| court I will be forced to call it black.
mail. I know the attorneys, Clarence
/ Darrow and Mr. Lewis, are on con.
/ tingent fees
Charles alleges that for developinf
/ the plant, now worth millions of doI-
/ lars, he received $465. His brother
/ says he received $4,000 a year salary
In the bill Charles alleges hi:
| mother and sister, Anna. arc ootl
/ guardian be appointed to look a1tei
/ their interests to see that their claim.
do not interfere with his rights.
1T is true my mother ana sister
! are in a sanitarium. But I was ap-
pointed cOnserVatOr for them by the
/ probate court a year ago. He has onI,
/ dragged in this fact to bring it before
the public and make it unpleasant FOL
/ his family.
Henry D. Baker ana Bertha Baker
/ Alling are also made defendants.
! nm@A