Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1906-06-15
QUEER CONTEST FOR TITLE.
Reed Block Was Bought to Sell to the County
and Odd Suit that Results Therefrom.


Judge. J. W. Robinson has sued Geo.
A. hoffman, the prominent merchant
and an extensive realty owner, OF this
city for half interest in nd account
ing for the revenue of the Reed block,
corner of Sixth and Washington
streets. Mr.. Robin son alleges that
deal had been made between himself
and the defendant whereby he was to
attend to negotiations and legal work
to acquire the property and Mr.. Mott
man was to advance the money to
complete the transaction, whereby
they would be in position to transfer
the same to the county, for a court
house, and both we're to use all effort
for inducing the Commissioners to
effect the purchase. The property, he
stated, was bought for $4,000, Ealf
cash down, and the price the county
was to have paid was $4,000. The
difference was to have been whacked
up between them, but not being able
to affect sale, the profits were re.
solved into a Rogerian invisible
fund.-" and there was nothing to divide
upon @ strict construction OF the
alleged agreement. But the hoffman
interest in the property, having became
a desirable acquisition, the partner
who furnished the experience" thinks
he should be entitled to some part of
the income, aud az it has been enjoyed
in peace the past five or six years BY
the partner who furnished the "capi-
tal," that he should have q half
interest for the accrued amounts
and share alike in the future.
Mr.. Mottman. on the stand. denied
that any agreement had ever existed
whereby Judge Robinson was entitled
to share in tho rents or profits from
the building.
The second cause for action is de.
mand by Judge Robinson for account
ing on notes left by him with defend.
ant for collection, against. Messrs.
Scobey e. Hopp, Of the Olympian.
Mr.. hoffman says that the notes were
worthless, and that he, to secure some
thing out OF them, made an arrange
ment with the publishers to divert o
cash payment of ten dollars, made
monthly for advertising. to liquidation
of interest on the notes, which was
agreed to by the Olympian MANAGE
ment on condition that $25 credit
should be entered for each months
service, which was afterwards changed
to $45 per month credit, the cash pay
ment OF ten dollars being placed to
the credit of Mr.. Robinson, each
month. The defendant claims that
this proceeding was fully explained to
the Judge, then in New York, by post,
and places letter in evidence in which
plaintiff seems to acquiesce in the
arrangement, in which he writes
"Your action. and any future action
you take, is approved" The plaintiff
claims that this broad license applied
to a totally different matter. relating
to some disposition of stock held 10
the paper, and that he had never con.
sented to receive less than the price
charged by the paper, and knew moth
ing of the alleged arrangement be.
tween Mr.. Mottman and Scobev ct al.
This testimony establishes square.cut
issue between the litigants.
Both parties testify to the existence
OF David aud Jonathan friendship in
bygone days, in which each others
word was his bond, and each treated
the other in implicit faith. and the
spectacle now exhibited of . diver
gence wide as the poles, caused the
pearly tear-drops TO start from the
eyes of many spectators.
The testimony was concluded las
evening, when. by request of Judg.
Robinson's attorney, J. X. Mitchell
five days time was given for filing 6
brief. Troy & Falknor asked for i'm
i'm mediate decision, or a no longe
postponement till this morning. The
case was heard by Judge Chapman O.
Tacoma. who deserves commentator