The Havre herald. [volume] (Havre, Mont.) 1904-1908, 1906-01-12

weeks, and there is no reason that
know Of that any other lawyer in the
country could not have done the same.
There is necessity for going 300 miles
away to secure a lawyer. There is
nothing SO extraordinary about a
water right suit. Some people think
that the further they 60 away for a
lawyer and the less they know about
the case, the better he will attend to
their interests. Now, that is the stu
alton in this case. You should have
retained lawyers nearer at hand, or
should have told them that if they
did not hurry up your answer, you
would have to get some one nearer
home. The Judge asked me yester-
day how much time I wanted. / am
ready within two days, and ready
within two days to begin trial. There
is nothing so extraordinary about a
| water right suit, nothing worse than
proving up desert-land claim. Some
lawyers think it will take four or five
years to try this case. There is no
reason why a great length Of time
should be taken up in this suit. 1t is
not the Judges fault, but you are the
people who ought to work for it your
selves and tell your lawyers that their
fee will not be forthcoming unless
they hurry it up and see how hard
they will work.
The secretary then read letter
from Sen. Carter. It was moved that
a committee Of three be appointed to
write Sen. Carter to push the project
of the Milk River Valley irrigation.
The following were appointed: Messrs.
Everett, Sands and Vennum.
Mr.. Stranaham then spoke as fol-
lows: It would be interesting to a
great many of the parties litigated to
ascertain where the testimony is to be
taken. He also stated that it behOoyes
the various clients and parties inter-
ested to see their attorneys and urge
upon them the necessity of an agree
ment to have the testimony taken in
the various points of Milk River
Valley.
Mr.. Everett suggested that a referee
be appointed at the various points to
take the testimony, and in that way
save expense and delay, as witnesses
do not care to 60 to E't. Benton and be
waiting there for some struggling
client, and Mr. Stranahan further
moved "that it is the sense of this
meeting that all parties join in this
stipulation or agreement that the
; testimony be taken at the variou.
, conyenient points on Milk river.
, This motion was seconded and carried
Mr.. Stranahan asked that Mr.. Stan
ton discuss the matter of expense O.
this suit.
Mr.. Stanton states that it is i'm
possible for him at this time to STATE
what the expenses might be as HI
thought tnat the witnesses being
4 interested would gladly bear thei
, own expenses and the attorneys fee:
would depend on the length of tn,
, trial a great deal. And were they tt
think the trial was to last fou
5 months and demand fees accordingly
2 then, if the trial only lasted 80 day
: the clients would think the attorney
7 We're exacting too much of them. Bu
: on the other hand If the attorney
: thought the trial would only last 3
l to so days and it should last foul
S months, then they would not be pait
S in accordance with the time expendet
0 on same. So it is difficult to tell wha
: it will cost at this time. He also stat
ed that he had spent a great deal 0
!: time already on the case, and did no
s expect to be paid in proportion a
q attorneys are paid in other litigations
e but expected to be treated fairly il
Y the matter of compensation, however
u And the matter should be left to tn
0 executive committee as he was no
4 able at this time to name a retaine
: fee.
k The secretary, Venum, then present
d ed some of the bills Of the Association
h amounting to s653.s5 for printing Q
o summons and complaints, making o
d abstract and sneriff's fees etc.
e Mr.. Everett. / make the suggestion