The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-08-29
a rAcomA nANK CASE.
Washington Nationals Efforts 60 Re-
strain Comptroller Eckeis.

strain Comptroller Eckeis.
An important case was argued in the
United States district court yesterday be-
fore Judge Hanford, II being the suit OF
the Washington National bank OF Tacoma
against Comptroller OF the Currency Eek
els aud Bank Examiner Charles Ciary.
The suit was for a temporary injunction
against any interference of the comptrol-
Ter with the affairs OF the bank, which
closed It's doors about n month ago. The
complaint alleged that the shareh olders
of the bank voted 20 go into voluntary
liquidation on July n and did so. and
we're winding up the business of the bank
in an economical and satisfactory manner
and paying all claims presented in a man
ner satisfactory to creditors, when on Au-
gust - Comptroller Eckeis notified the
board of directors of the bank that It's con-
dition was not satisfactory rs 70 voluntary
liquidation aud instructed Bank Exam
iner Ciary 60 take charge and place the
institution in the hands of receiver.
This was alleged 90 be against the laws
of the United States and contrary to the
wishes aud consent Of the creditors OF the
embarrassed corporation. A temporary
injunction against any further interfer-
ence on the part of government officials
was prayed for.
on Saturday plea in bar WAS fled in Ia
coma. where the suit was brought This
plea asserted that the action Of the comp
troller and his subordinate. the bank ex-
aminer, vas perfectly lawful, but that not
withstanding the fact. the officials of the
bank had refused and we're still refusing
TO surrender possession OF the property or
assets of the bank TO ex-Mayor Stewart
Rice. of Tacoma. who was appointed re-
ceiver and that Rice " as only in possession
10 80 great an extent as possible without
the consent Of the bank officials. For these
reasons the comptroller asked that he be
compelled 20 make no further answer 10
the complaint since ali the allegations Of
the complaint were insufficient to justify
any decree In favor of the plaintiffs
The case being urgent, il was transferred
from Tacoma 20 the United States court IN
this city. and arguments on the plea in
bar were made before Judge Hanford yes
tegday afternoon. Assistant L nited States
District Attorney Fogg, Of Tacoma, argued
the case for the oomptroilsr. while another
Tacoma attorney pleaded against the plea
for the hank. When the argument had
been Finished Judge Hanford took the
case under adyisemeni, hus wil render q
decision ON the opening OF court this
morning. The case will be practically de-
cised by the decision. IS the plea brings 70
an issue every point involved.
WAsHTxGToN CRY. Aug. 2s.--Compsrol-
ler Eckeis hss appointed Stewart Rice re-
e~lver Of the Washington National bank,
OF Tacoma This bank had gone into the
courts 20 cuGexvor 90 get out Of the hands
of the comptroller Of the currency, when
late Saturday night he took Il oat OF the
hands OF the bank examiner IN charge
and pl.eed II in the hands Of . receiver.
thus stealing . march on the bank officials.
The affairs OF this bank Sre noi in con-
dision 20 satisfy Comptroller Eekels.