American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1918-10-22
SENSATION MADE-T0-0RDER
FOR CAMPAIGN PURPOSES.
Something that Was Not Concealed
Made to Serve Purpose In a Crisis
The Whole Truth Not Told Nor
Intended to be in Exposure"

hilate the character and standing OF
d. w. Davis, was sprung Sunday,
when the Friday issue of the News
was mailed. Strange to say, the
thing guarded so mysteriously was no
secret All Of the neighbors OF Mr..
Davis knew it. Mr.. Davis talked about
the matter with callers at their home
and even elsewhere. That Mr.. DAVIS
received free service from the Power
Company for his home was no secret.
How he came to have such service is
well known, and there is nothing SEN
sational about it.
For several years, until about a
year prior to his death, Senator
Brady and Mr.. Davis were partners in
the banking business. By reason OF
this relationship, Mr.. Davis looked
after the separate business interests
of Mr. Brady in American Falls in
general way, and sometimes in a spe-
cifc way. Mr.. Davis rendered this
service to Mr.. Brady as friend, and
received no remuneration for 1t.
Later. when Mr. Brady was elected
Senator, he formed the Brady Invest
ment Company. a corporation which
took over all of Mr.. Brady's many
business interests. At Mr.. Brady's
request, Mr.. Davis accepted the posi-
ton of vice president of the company,
and assisted in the management Of the
Brady estate. This service was rem
dered by one friend and business as
scciate to another, without thought OF
asking or expecting pay. Service in
this capacity called for trips to Salt
Lake. Pocatello, Mountain Home,
Boise, and even to North Idaho, where
Senator Brady had interests or in
vestments. On such trips Mr.. Davis
received his expenses, but nothing
more. In appreciation of these ser
vices. and in a spirit of friendship and
fellowship Mr. Brady gave Mr.. Davis
a contract for free light and heat for
his home.
In view of this relationship and
this friendly service and assistance. is
it strange that Mr. Brady should offer
free electric service to Mr.. Davis for
, his home, or that Mr. Davis should ac-
cept it?
Mr. Davis did not make full use of
the contract for some time, because
the cost of wiring and equipment to
make the service available would be
more than the service was worth. In
other words. il would cause a financial
outlay instead Ol DtiuE SdNl Nlh6.
Eventually Mr.. Davis moved out OF
the rear of the bank, where he had
been living. into a residence which he
purchased There he had very small
fruit and vegetable cellar. but wholly
inadequate for the installing of fur
mace for heating. Mr.. Davis then tool
advantage of his contract had his
residence wired for heat. purchased &
1f al ri haafnrc which
piled sufficient heat except in the
coolest part of the winter. The sav
ing during the greater part OF the
year amounted to approximately 81
a month. and during the winter, thu
approximate cost of a ton of coal ;
month in addition. Accepting this ser
vice did not increase the cost of service
10 anyone, any more than the cost
service would have been increased L
the pubic had Mr.. Davis charged 10
the services he rendered Mr.. Brady
Eventually Mr.. Brady sold his pow
er interests. Mr.. Davis went TO Chi
cago. and then on to Washington AM
New York to assist in closing tn
transaction. and rendered a servic
that was considered of great value b,
Mr.. Brady. The deal was not a casl
transaction. but one in which Mr.
Bradys interests we're to be gradual
" absorbed. Right on top of thi
transaction came the Kuhn failure
which for a time was severely felt il
Southern Idaho. 1t was the Kuhn in
terests that bought the power plan
here The Kuhn failure brought com
plications and Mr.. Davis represente
Mr. Brady until his interests were en-
tirely absorbed.
Mr.. Brady had made several con
tracts for free service. as compensa
ton for services rendered by severs
individuals in the settlement and uI
building of American Falls and vicir
itv. II was good business for him
do so. as il costs money 10 conve
electric current from one point TO ar
other. Mr.. Brady wanted to use a
- much Of the power at home as poss
BILE, because it was more profitabl
than to take il elsewhere. There is
certain loss in transmission. and th
cost and upkeep OF a transmissio
line is heavy one.
The newspapers OF American Fal
had free service in the early day
The Press had free service for fN
wears, during which time il was tr,
ing to settle the vacant lands su
rounding American Falls. The Pow'
County Times. and its predecesso
with which John R. Bowen was col
nected. had free service during u
greater part of the time those pape
were published. it not all the tim
And there was not anything wror
about it. Mr. Brady merely took tn
way of assisting those who were woi
ing for the upbuilding Of the commu
ity.
There were some ten-year contrac
for free service. given in considerable
of assistance in development Cam
bell & Stebbins had one OF thel
which was transferred TO the Eva
Mercantile Company. The Oliv
House had similar contract. and