The Sentinel=record., 1911-05-16
CONTROVERSY
 IS AT AN END
FORMER MAYOR JoDD AND CITY ATTORNEY sTALLcUP REACH
 AN AGREE ME NIT.
There Was Misunderstanding as to the Summons in Circuit Court,
 and Both Misunderstood Matter.

Editor Sentinel Record:
 Having noticed in your edition of last Sunday morning that ex-Mayor Jodd came out in a letter stating that he had notified me of the pendeney of the suit of Reeves vs City of Hot Springs, and had even discussed the matter with me, knew that there must have been some misunderstood ing between us about the matter. for 1 did not believe that Mir. Jodd would do me an injustice any more than would him, and so 1 called upon him. with the idea in view of seeing which of ''s was in error.
 In stating that he had discussed the matter with me, he was eminently correct but if the suit had been filed Lat the time I did not know it. and even yet am unable to say as I can not exactly recall the date. The con versation I have in mind occurred in the city clerks office a short the after MT. Reeves had told me he was thinking of bringing this suit, and at that time l gave Mir. Jodd my views on the subject. and we discussed the probability of recovery in ease of such suit or others similar there- to.
 However. MT. todd states that aft CT summons was served on him he came into my office and that I was standing in the fore part of the office and he asked me if 1 knew the city had been sued about that salary pro- position and if 1 would attend to the matter, to which replied that I would. Of this l have no distinct recollection as he came into my office on number of occasions to see me about city affairs, and evidently misunderstood what he was talking about as he states that he does not recall that he mentioned the name of Reeves at the time. and at no time did he give me opy of the summons, thinking I knew of the filing of the suit. do not deny that this con- versation took place. for I know that Mir todd would not make positive statement unless he was sure of the truth of 1t, only 1 do know that l cannot recall at any time of ever having had any positive, conscious knowledge of the filing of this suit, until I saw that judgment by default had been rendered. l did know that there was considerable talk Of such a thing about that time, but thought the idea must have been abandoned; and I ask in the name of common sense why should have ever let the matter go by default, when 1t was only the work of short time to file an answer and thereby prevent such possibility, for there never was time when 1 did not intend to resist as far as possible any such suit Iagainst the city.
 K In short it was just one of those unfortunate misunderstandings which sometimes occur and are almost i'm possible of explanation. feel eer- tain. since my conversation with Mir. todd, that he must have thought l fully understood him and am equally certain. on the other hand saat did not so understand him,
 | I make this explanation in justice to us both, as the matter seems to have attracted considerable public at tention. Very respectfully,
 J. A. sTALLCUP. have read the above and believe that the statements are about as nearly correct as they can be made, allowing for lapse of time and ac- curacy of memory, and believe MT. Stallcup was as conscientious in h's statements as in mine, since care lfully going over the matter with him,
 Respectfully,
 NJ H JODD