The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-02-19
SOME SERIOUS
CHARGES MADE
Henry j. Collins Asks for a Receiver for
Firm Of Collins & Rackett.
REASONS THAT HE ADVANCES
Says That j. Dutton Hackett, a Mem
Der of the Firm Who Had Charge of
the Books Did Not Keep Them in n
Proper Manner and That without
the knowledge Of His Partner He
Confessed Judgment.

Charges of the most serious nature
were yesterday preferred by Henry j.
Collins, of the defunct clothing firm
of Collins 6; Hackett, against the Junior
partner, j. Dutton Hackett. accusing
him of being responsible for the firms
failure by reason of his inattention to
business, of doctoring the books in or
der to cover defalcations and misman-
agement and with having brought
about by fraud and collusion the clos
ing of the store with the intention of
depriving him of his just interests in
the firm.
These allegations were contained in
an affidavit presented to court as part
of a petition for an order staying the
proceedings on the execution, asking
an injunction to restrain J. Dutton
Hackett from interfering in any way
with the firms business or property and
praying that a receiver be appointed
to wind up the accounts of the firm.
Judge Gunster granted the stay of pro-
ceedings and injunction and fixed Sat
urday morning next at o'clock as the
time for hearing arguments.
In his complaint Mr. Collins recites
that he and Mr.. Hackett were equal
partners in the firm and that Hackett,
Carhart & Co., wholesale clothiers, Of
New York. furnished the capital for
j. Dutton Hackett, the Junior member,
who is nephew of Hackett, of the New
| York firm He then goes on to charge
that his partner was extensively neg
lectful of business, spending much
time in the summer and autumn at the
base ball park and also in a neighbor-
ing hotel playing cards; that instead
of 80 oil m hn
books from the slips turned in by the
clerks he would put down a lump sum
| daily and then destroy the sales slips,
contrary to the tacit agreement under
| which they were to carry on the bust
ness; that false and fraudulent entries
| were and made and the difference kept
| by Hackett and appropriated to mis-
| personal use; that he entered into large
| contracts for advertising without con-
| sulting Collins and at time when the
volume of business would not warrant
| the outlay; that he raised the salary OF
| the clerks and other employees without
| Collins knowledge or consent and at
| the time of this same business string
| ency; that he injured the firms repu-
tation by his sojourning and card play
| ing in a nearby hotel; that he charged
| up private expenses to the firms ac-
count; that he denied Collins access to
the books, and recently removed them
| clandestinely from the store to some
place unknown to the petioned; that
erasures and false entries were made
by Hackett to cover his mismanage-
ment and fraud; that on February 10
Hackett without the knowledge or con-
sent of Collins, confessed Judgment If
favor of Hackett. Carhart & Co., foi
! $33, 1884 to cheat the petitioner out OF
his share an break up the firm: that ir
the belief and judgment of the peti.
toner j. Dutton Hackett and Hacket'
Carhart & Co., have entered into e.
luson to work Collins out of the fir