Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-09-22
SUIT AGAINST WILLARD
Former Ambassador to Spain Defen-
dant in Suit for $4,000
Damages
AS was stated in yesterdays GazeS

AS was stated in yesterdays Gazet- /
ia Charles L. Ruffin has entered I
yuit against Joseph f. Willard for.
$4,000 for alleged breach OF con- !
tract In the bill of particulars filed
(,v Judge j. K. NJ. Norton, of this city,
On behalf of Charles L. Ruthn. VINO
vas former chief engineer of the
Richmond and Pappahannock Railway
Company, it is alleged that the PLAIN
tiff who is an experienced engineer,
was engaged in building railroad
in North Carolina, of which ne owned
all of the the capital stock except
six shares. He alleges that Mr.. Will
lard who was his college mate, tele-
graphed him to examine railroad
nroposition and was told by Mr.. VIII
lard that he had under consideration
the financing of a railroad from Rlcn-
n,ond to Urbanna, district OF about
sevcntythree miles; that he requested
him to make report on the PROPOSE
ton in about three days on the pro-
rosition in about three days. Later.
upon receiving another telegram from
Richmond. he met Mr.. Willard and
was told by the latter that he had de-
cided to finance the proposition ii the
plaintiff would build and operate the
road for him.
Finally, it is alleged; the plaintiff
agreed. to give one half. OF his time to
the defendants undertaking at sal
airy of $3.50 month, this to continue
as long as plaintiff rendered good and
efficient service in building and operat-
ing the road and he AYERS that the
defendant further promised and agreed
that should more time be required
of plaintiff than one-half that he,
the defendant, would make d fair
and reasonable increase and ad-
iustment Of salary to the plaintiff;
that he would get also fair and rea-
sonable proposition of bonds to be
issued on said railroad; that the plain
tiff was to get "a fair and reasonable
profit over and above his monthly sti-
pend in the shape of fair and equit
able division of the bonds.
1t is further alleged that it finally
became necessary for him to dispose
Of his North Carolina interests in or
der that he might devote his time tc
the undertaking Of the defendant.
whereupon defendant increased his
salary to $4,000 a year and he al
leges that in disposing of mis- North
Carolina interests he was compelled
70 make serious sacrifices and under
90 severe and heavy losses; that Oy
personally undertaking the building
Of the railroad of said defendant he
saved the defendant large sums OF
money in comparison with bids and
estimates that were made for por-
tons of the work and equipment; that
he thus saved the defendant at least
$4,000.
1t is also charged that in June 1915,
after the work had sufficiently prog
ressed under the management of the
plaintiff, the defendant bonded the
work in the sum Of 100000, but "the
said defendant failed, and has hither-
10 failed and refused, and still does
neglect and refused to give to said
plaintiff a fair and equitable proper
ton OF the said bonds agreed upon,
and said plaintiff ayers that. in adj
dition to the said defendants failure
10 comply with said agreement. with
reference to said bonds, and in direct
violation of his solemn agreement that
the plaintiffs moneyed stipend should
continue so long as he properly per-
formed his duties, discharged the
plaintiff entirely from the undertake
ing on February 5, 1915 and cast him
adl:ift without any occupation. in ut
ter disregard of said plaintiffs rights,
and with a heartless indifference to
the serious situation he was thereby
placing the said plaintiff under: that
the defendant well knew that the
plaintiff was a man of family. and
that the difficulty OF All engineer, at
the time of said discharge, securing
work in his profession commensurate
with his experience and capacity. to
the damage Of the said plaintiff Of
$4,000.