The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-05-12
WILLIAMS, BROWN & CO
Big San Francisco Produce Company In
Financial Straits.

San Francisco, May 1.-THE well es-
tabiished firm Of Williams, Brown & Co.,
wholesale shipping and commission mer-
chants, is in financial difficulties. Its
liabilities are said to be about $500. 900,
but its assets are believed TO be sufficient
to meet most Of its obligations. If the
creditors will grant an extension Of time
the firm hopes to resume business. For
the past nine years the firm has been
recognized as one Of the most active
houses in the Australian import trade.
In the salmon canning business, VIII
liams, Brown & Co. were the hackers OF
enterprises Of immense proportions. In
handling the Alaska fish output they
conducted operations that annually rep
resented 10000 to 200, 900 cases of salmon
and in their export grain trade to Au-
stralia their shipments in season often
amounted to from thirty-five to forty
cargoes. Since December /, the concern
has loaded seven vessels for the Ami
podes whose joint cargoes are valued at
$500.0
The direct cause Of the failure of the
firm is said to have been the failure OF
Australian consignees to meet bills
drawn against them for heavy ship
ments of grain.
A great amount Of money was lost by
the firm in its fruit operations. in the
Fresno market. and in the Columbia
River canneries In which they were in
terested.
Last year they were large packers in
salmon, which cost from $3.50 tn s1.S5
per dozen tins. Much of this stock was
carried over for this years sales, and at
the beginning of the season the market
opened at a price of about s1.05 per doz-
en- tins.
The creditors Of the firm are nun1er-
Gus in this city. but among the institu-
tons Of prominence here which are
known to have been financially interest
ed are the Bank Of California, the Lon
don. Paris and American bank, the
French bank, and the Crocker-Wool-
worth Banking company.
The personnel Of the firm had much to
do with its financial standing. 1t was
originally composed Of William Brown,
son Of Thomas Brown, the Cashier OF
the Bank OF California, and Henry F.
williams. the we'll known banker and
president Of the California Safe Deposit
company. William Brown died about
two years ago, and his share in the bust
ness was bought over by Henry A. Will
liams, who is now the only member OF
the firm
About two weeks ago Henry Williams
left this city for Australia on the last
down trip OF the steamer Alameda. for
the purpose of consulting with Falk &
Co, the Australian representatives OF
the house, about the business OF his firm.
Mr.. Williams was to have left Sydney
on his return trip to San Francisco on
May 10, but no word as to that has been
received.
The creditors. Of the insolvent frm or
Williams. Brown & Co., have appointed
a COMMITTEES OF four TO investigate and
make a statement Of the business OF the
firm. and make It's report In ten days.
Mr. Thane. the manager. said today:
"The business OF the firm has been bad
sor several years, and Mr.. Williams
knew the state Of affairs when he LET:
for Australia on March II. I have only
been with the firm three years and / VIII
no. be made the scapegoat in this affir.
Mos: Of the firms losses were occasionei
by our eastern business in canned SAL
mon. raisins and dried fruits. Our Au-
stralian business has always been profit
al