American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1918-08-09

getting people to settle the lands. So
there was a tacit understanding be-
tween members of the Development
company and the writer that he should
get out the kind Of a paper that was
needed, and the members of the com
pany would stand behind him. The
first year showed a loss of about $500.
The next two or three years increased
this loss to nearly $4,000. Ever since
that time the writer has been working
to pay off that debt, and to pay for the
plant.
In 1913, when the writer was APP
pointed state game warden, he induc-
ed John r. Jones to lease the Press
for a term of two years. Up to this
time and until late in 1914, the writer
had been operating the plant by com
mon consent, never having had any
contract with the American Falls De-
velopment company except the n
covering the year from June l, 1907 to
June /, 1908. Jones by his lease was
to pay the paper bills due, and to take
the stock on hand, and to keep the
plant in as good condition as when
he received it. To assist him to get
started, the writer gave him a check
for 800. Jones was to pay all ex-
penses. The only rent the writer re-
ceived was monthly payments on the
linotype machine in the office, amount
ing to $35 each and accrued interest. II
memory is not at fault, the rental was
to be $50 per month. But this is not
material. The arrangement between
the writer and Mr.. Jones was a friend
" one as well as one of business, and
the writer was satisfied with what Mr..
Jones did. There is no complaint on
this score
Jones met the linotype notes and
had the use of the machine. Before
the writer returntd from Boise, Mr..
Jones, with the consent of the writer,
traded the old linotype machine in for
one of a better model, and giving notes
for $1,000 in addition to the old ma
chine. Mr.. Jones paid the freight on
the new machine and the expenses of
its installation. In keeping with his
agreement, to keep the office in as
good condition as when he took it, and
to better equip the office for work, Mr..
Jones put i'm some $500 or $500 worth
Of type and printing material. Part
of this was on contract notes, and was
paid after Mr.. Jones left.
In the fall of 1914. Mr.. Jones and
the writer entered into a contract to
buy the Press from the Development
company. agreeing to pay them an
amount approximating twO-thirds of
their original investment, without in
%terest. The partners agreed to pay off
the debt accumulated in the operation
of the plant and to have an equal in
%terest. The only investment Mr.. Jones
had was what he had paid for mater
ial. and any loss he may have sus-
tanned in operating expenses. Jones
was the manager, with full charge, and
Barber the editor will full authority.
Just prior to the filing of the cases
Of Baird VS.. the Commissioners, Mr..
Jones seemed to have some informa-
ton that led him to believe that all
was not right. He remarked on sew
eral occasions that Baum would bear
watching, and that there were, in his
judgment, some irregularities in con-
n~ection with the bonding of the coun-
ty to take up the county warrant in
debtedness for which Baum was re-
sponsible, but never set forth what it
was. 1t is now easy to believe that he
had seen the a%ffidavits in Baird's Of
flee reflecting on Baum. and had been
influenced by them.