The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-11-03
TELL THEIR STORY
Wilson's Appear Before Bar As
ISOLATION Committee.
Say That Their Collection BUSH
ness Is Legitimate.
TAKE THE BAD CLAIMS.
Never Charge More Than 80 Per
Cent for Collection.
How Another Wilson Lost His
Money.
TAKE THE BAD CLAIMS.

At meeting FRIDAY afternoon OF
the entire committee appointed from
the Topeka Bar association last week
TO hear the charges preferred against
the Wilson family, who are charged
with unprofessionaf conduct az law
yers. the Wilson side was presented by
A. p. Tone Wilson and Anthony 2.
Wilson.
The Wilson's admit most of the
charges of exorbitant fees for collec-
tions, which have been made by clients
of the firm, but justify them by the
claim that most of the accounts are
old md on undesirable parties and
that the trouble incident to their col
lection warrants the charges made
Among the charges presented to the
committee and heretofore unpublished
is one made by Samuel Magiil, who IS
employed at the Santa Fe shops and
who owns small farm near the city.
6e rented the farm to a tenant who
gave a note for $3.50 as payment
which fell due and was not paid. Not
having time to give the matter his
personal attention he turned it over
10 the Wilson's with the understand
ing that he was to pay a reasonable
fee for its collection.
The note was collected by the Will
sons as agents but less than one-half
went to see them about it and was
roundly abused for his trouble. He
then placed the matter in the hands of
D H. Brannaman, who met the Will
sons at his office and they roundly
abused their former client and started
in on the same tactics towards his la
test attorney. This was nipped in the
bud by Mr. Brannaman, who ordered
Wilson to cease his rough language or
else leave his Office, and it was then
that Wilson charged Mr.. Brannaman
with what he termed ''unprofessional
conduct saying that "inasmuch as
their agency did not take collections
against attorneys that he thought that
attorneys should not take cases
against him."
suit was Immediately filed in the
city court and afterwards settled out
Of court. Regarding. this particular case
Mr. Wilson stated that Mr.. Magill had
called him out of his office and while
in the hall stated that he would pay
him one-half OF the $3.50 note if he
would collect it and that under that
promise he had made d trip to the
country and collected the note and re-
tanned his one-half for his fee.
10th a. p. Tone Wilson and his faith
er denied TO the committees that thew
are now in any way Interested In the
land business conducted by D. P Taft
which IS popularity supposed to be one
uI their Departments. d. p Taft also
stated to the committee that he is the
sole owner of the business.
The Wilson's stated that the business
was sold by them to G. A. Wilson, who
IS now employed in the Santa F'e Shops
and who though Of the same name, ia
in no way related to them and that he
in turn disposed Of the property to D.
p. Tan. taking in payment an unse-
cured note for $1,000 though but a few
months before he paid 81. 900 for the
business and gave a mortgage on his
farm TO secure it.
Mr.. c. A. Wilson is out $4,000 and
III.
has an unsecured note for Sc, 600 signed
nv Tan, who later on in the examina-
fion admitted that he is execution proof
and possesses no personal or real pro
perty with the exception Of the lanc
business and number Of advertising
contracts.
What did you pay for the real es-
tate business which you purchased OF
the Wilson'S was asked Of Mr.. c. A
Wilson.
-Four thousand dollars" was the an
swes.
Was this cash?'
NO, but it was secured by a mort
gage on my farm for that amount
hen you disposed of the business
who was the purchaser, and what was
the price you received for it ?''
u received a note for S., 600"
eWas this secured?"
No. but I was told that could dis
pose OF the note to a man by the name
OF DR.. Martin, though I have not beer
able to do So"
Has anything been paid on tht
note was then asked. The witness
hesitated until he received a nod from
A. =. Tone wilson to answer when he
gaids
Yes, small payment was made
How much?" asked the questioner
We'll. it was small, only So
when was this paid?'' then asked E
member OF the committee, to which tn,
witness answered:
Last night"
rf alrY, IF =
made by their collection agency The
elder Wilson said: Considering the
class Of people with whom we have tt
deal the charge is within reason. fol-
most Of the accounts we receive arc
from people who hold accounts which
they consider almost worthless.
ION ordinary claims, our charges are
ten per cent and upwards but in nc
instance have we ever charged more
than dfty per cent OF the claim for col
lection" According to the statement
made by Mr. Wilson. senior Mr. Lovltt
who Ia charged by him with being re-
sponsible for the disbarment proceed.
INKS which have been started he is moi
s. disinterested party but is employed
by J. N. Eike, ex-railroad commissioner
Of Colby, to prosecute the case. This
claim Is partially borne out by this
statement Mr.. Levitt made to the com.
u1ittee that he is in the employe Of in.
dlvidusls in Colby as Wen as actins
under the Instructions OF the. Judge OF
the Thomas county court.
Referring to the collection agency let.
tiers sent to Mayor Tom L. Johnson o.
Cleveland which are now in the hand.
OF the government authorities Mr. vii
son said. I'VE knew no more Of this
collection than Of the hundreds of 9th
ers which we have received and treat.
ed It In the manner as all others. i
mas since been proven by letters from
che party who owns the note that it is
one that was given by the father o.
Hd>yor Tom johnson, nov deceased, anC
obliFates in no way Tom L. Johnson
the SON.
The committee has asked the Wilson.
Tor g complete set Of their htera tur,