The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-08-23
Bryan's Partner in Judicial In.
fernatiOnal Problem.
Case Filed Against Orient Rail.
road Far Reaching.
RESULT OF KILLING.
Red Tape Causes Delay on Set
ling the Estate.
Other Items of General Inter-
est to Kansas Readers.

Wichita, Kan, Aug. pa. L. Maggi,
one of the most distinguished lawyers
in the central west, was in the city to
fle an action for damages, as counsel
for administrator, against the Orient
road. Mr.. Maggi lives of Lincoln, Neb.,
and is a member of the law firm of
which for many years William Jen-
nings Bryan was an active member,
and in which now, Tom Allen, Mr..
Bryans brosher-in-law, is leading
member. Mr.. Maggi is also one OF
the most astute and we'll informed
politicians of the sister state OF Ne
hraska and was private secretary TO
Governor Sheldon while the latter was
Grief magistrate.
The bringing here Of Mr.. Maggi at
this time involves an interesting story
OF long drawn out red tape In 1nterna-
tional diplomacy between the nations
OF the United States and the Kingdom
of Greece. Some two years ago George
Tasapulon, a Greek railroad laborer,
was killed at Viola. this county, while
at work in n gravel gondola on the
Kansas City, Mexico & Orient road.
The petition fled in district court re-
cites that Tasapulon used all due pre-
caution while at his work in the car,
but that the defendant company,
through it's employees, was grossly neg
Igent and careless, in that an engl-
1leer ran is locomotive at an unusually
high rate of speed into the car in
which 'Tasapulon was at work throw
Ing him from the car, down in and be-
tween the car and the engine, killing
him probably instantly.
Hero comes the Interesting feature Of
the story. The title of the suit filed
in the Sedgwick county district court is
Arthur Metrakos, special administrator
of the estate of George Tasapulon,
versus the Kansas City, Mexico & ORR
g., Dot
action for damages has not been
brought long ago, while the incidents
were fresh in the memories of eye wit
nesses, is accounted for solely by the
reason of the interminable red tape
upon which the family of nations in
sists throughout the globe where mat
ters Of international Jurisprudence APP
pear. or where states must be settled
when decendent is a native sovereign
nation.
Tho estate of Tasapulon was at once
placed in probate, but while killed IN
this country he was or had been un.
der the Jurisdiction of King George of
Greece. Therefore it was necessary for
the state department at Washington
and the foreign Office at Athens to en-
ter into negotiations for the requisite
papers to confer powers of administra-
lion, tupon some countrynan Of the
dead Tasapulcn resident and under the
jurisdiction of the United States.
After two years this has finally been
accomplished, and Arthur Metrakos of
Lincoln, Neb.. was duly appointed, sat
isfactory to the family and estate of
the deceased, to the nation Of Greece
end tho probate courts having juris-
diction in this country. Mr.. Maggi as
counsel for the administrator, Mr..
Metrakos, came here and with asso-
ciate counsel here, the law firm of
Brown & Brown, filed the suit to re-
cover the sum of $4,000 as damages
through alleged negligence of the ORR
eDt, causing thereby tine death of Tasa-
pulon.