The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1922-02-19
LITIGATION SEEN
AS REAL MENACE
Brings Local Securities
Into Disrepute, Says
Visiting Banker
CHANGE NEEDED HERE
Tulsans Advised TO Settle
Differences Through Un-
biased Survey

As the result OF meeting called
by the Chamber Of Commerce at the
city hall Saturday afternoon the
pernicious litigation against Tulsa
securities may bo ended and conf
doncc OF the bond purchasing public
restored In local bonds.
John ]. williamson, representing
tho Ccntra, Trust company OF Dos
MOincs, Ia, was tho principal speak
er. the meeting having been called
that directors Of the Chamber OF
Commerce, heads OF the various
local civic clubs and other business
men and city officials might hear
him talk on Conditions in Tulsa a.
l See Them"
Holds $500. 900 Worth.
Williamgon's company holds about
100000 worth of Tulsa securities,
ho explained.
Briefly his proposal Is nothing
more or less than chat the Chamber
of Commerce, city officials and tax
payers get together and try frankly
aud openly 10 adjust the differences
TINT exist over paving and sewer
work. Williamson expressed his be-
lief that such course viii produce
beneficial results. II taxpayers have
boon bilkcd out ot money by con-
tractors. they should be reimbursed.
no declared. and added that n tho
property owners are wrong they |
should openly admit II and withdraw
their litigation.
To ascertain whether contracts |
have been honestly fulfilled, Will |
Hanson suggested that persons in |
terosted I'm tho bettormcnt OF Tulsa |
and tho HtabilIzlng of It's securities
obtain the services OF paving and |
sewer experts who would be charged |
with returning comprehensive re-
ports on their findings.
Kcc-' Out of Court.
Above all. the speaker emphasized |
relief measures should bo started |
Immediately 30 these suits may DO |
kept out or local courts and prob |
ably tho supreme court rs news OF |
these legal differences travels rap
idly and quickly shakes the confi- |
dence OF prospective or present In
vcstors In Tulsa securities. lie pre-
dicted that all bonds Issued here |
after by Tulsa will in n measure be |
affected by this litigation. because |
investors are sure to become appro- |
honsive over their validity.
Tate Brady. president OF the Tax |
payers league. approved william
son's plan, declaring that the tax
payers believe they have been treat |
ed unfairly and charged unreason- |
oHiy ipl HuDilO lIty
Will be tho first ones 10 take part
In n meeting at which frankness
prevails, and will also be first to ad-
nit 1t IL they are In tho wrong he
said.
Franlsncss Necessary.
81 believe fairness and frankncss
With tho property owners will settle
the whole business" Brady advised.
"They are ready TO meet anyone
half way"
Tulsa has n magnificent reputa-
ton" Williamson explained. but
IL the tax bills INVOLVED in these
pending suits are invalidated, all
Tulsa securities will shrink In at
tractiveness. Not only that. but all
other tax bills will be left open to
attack.
Here is n story illustrative OF the
state of mind of security. holders
who have heard OF tho litigation In
Tulsa: A widow, a customer " a
Kansas city bond house. went to one
or the officers there the other day
with "A small bunch OF Tulsa securi-
ties she had acquired. Tho officer
told here those securities were not
involved In suits that have been
filed. and expressed his belief in
their soundness. His efforts to re.
assure her failed. Shs declared she
did not want any Tulsa securities
and insisted that he change them for
bonds equal In some other city or
concern.
Increaser the Cost.
''Considering this litigation, con-
tractors who operate In Tulsa must
hereafter add to their price n suf-
ficient amount TO cover their risk
IN accepting securities for payment.
This In turn will increase the cost
OF such work.
81 don't know anything about
your officials or your polItics-I
don't want 10 know anything about
them, for this Is not In any sense
"A political matter. But no question
is settled until 1t Is settled properly.
You can't deal easily with people
who believe they have been wronged
unless you adopt an open and frank
altitude. II they are entitled to re-
lief. give It TO them.
"These properly owners are right
or they are wrong. assume they
are honest. For no city or It's citi-
2ehs should try to get something
for nothing, You can ascertain
whether the contractor has fulfilled
his contract by making invest.ga-
lions. III he has not, make him cut
down his bill; II he has. the property
owners should be the first to admit
their error.
Get at the Facts.
"Cet at the facts--and thls can be
done as well out OF court as IL can
In court Besides. It avoids the hag-'
Cling ana testimony OF litigation.
let this legal fight rest. Let the
Chamber OF Commerce, city officials
and property owners get together.
Make the necessary tosts. And do
not charge property owners for
these tests. My judgment is that the
contractors will consent to pay part
OF the cost. You business men could
afford to contribute moderately. Let
: the world know You are going TO
get the facts. Public sentiment
aroused constructively and delibera-
lively will settle this matter out OF
court"
Mayor Il. ID. Evans stated that the
city understands this situation thor
SHhly and that IL would welcome
Action by the Chamber OF Commerce
IN making an Investigation.
"If anyone has been crooked. let's
know IT," the mayor asserted. II be-
Have the Chamber of Commerce
could consistently take a part In this
matter because of its vital impor-
lance to the city as a whole"
''The question is whether the
people have received what they are
having nr ara nhnutt a nav fOrb Il