The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-10-04
INCREDIBLE
IGNORANCE.
Perry Tiffany Displayed Il In
His Business Affairs.
he WAS AN ADMINISTRATOR.
But Failed 10 Discuysr Assets Belonging 10
His Brothers esiats--Rspart
Of Tho Referee

New York, Oct. 4.--Was Perry Tiffany,
well known society man. guilty OF
perjury and fraudulently concealing his
assets2"
or did he show Ignorance Of and in
difference to ordinary business affairs
| closely related TO his own comfort such
as would hardly be conceivable even in
a person Of immature years and utterly
devoid of experience"
81 am inclined to think that the latter
was the case" says Nathaniel A. Prem
tiss, referee in bankruptcy at No. 100
Broadway. to whom the case OF MIR. Tif-
fany was referred
Perry Tiffany, of No. i62 Madison
avenue, IL a grandson OF the famous
Commodore Perry. of the United States
navy. He is a son-in-lsw OF Theodore
Havemeyer. sugar king.
His petition I'm bankruptcy was filed on
Dec. "A, 1900. The liabilities were stated
to be 3S3. So. Several months ago he ap-
piled for discharge in bankruptcy. and
the petition was opposed by the First
National Bank of Hoboken. one of his
creditors, on lie ground that discharge
would be unjust.
The hearing on the specifications was
referred TO Mr.. Prentiss who took con-
siderable testimony and has now reported
In favor Of Mr.. Tiffany's discharge.
The bank alleged that Mr.. Tiffany
knowingly concealed property belonging
10 his estate In that he stated in his
schedule that he was possessed of a one
fourth interest in the estate of his
brother William Tiffany, which was in
solvent, whereas I'm fact the estate had
assets amounting TO $3.50 besides a vested
interest in the estate OF his father, George
Tiffany, and that he did not include In his
schedule a one-fourth vested interest In
the estate or George Tiffany.
The report OF Mr.. Prentss shows that
In regard TO the first specification the
bankrupt had been originally appointed
administrator OF the estate OF his brother
William, had subsequently, filed his ac-
counting showing no assets and had been
discharged as administrator
Belmont Tiffany. another brother. was
afterward appointed administrator
and assets of the estate TO the amoulse OF
5000 were discovered.
Ii was also discovered that the estate
of William Tiffany was entitled TO a
vested remainder amounting to a one
fourth interest in the estate of the father.
George Tiffany. afterward the bankrupt
obtained leave TO amend his schedules 10
include this vested interest.
Perry Tiffany said in regard TO his mis-
statements as to the solvency of his
brothers estate that he did not know al
the time he verified his petition that his
successor had discovered the assets. lie
also took oath that in regard to the in
terest OF his brothers estate and his
own interest In the estate Of his father
and brother he thought it all went 10 his
mother. He afterward amended his
schedule In this particular
1T was the result" said Referee Prem
tiss. 'of rarely eQualled and almost in
credible ignorance and neglect displayed
by Perry Tiffany in regard to his own
affairs. All his estate I'm the world IS
now fully set forth and at the disposal
of creditors through the trustee in these
proceedings. do not think the specifca-
tions have been maintained and the
young man is surely entitled to a re-
lease"
The report OF the referee has not yet
been called up before Judge Adams, of
the United States district court, for con-
firmation, but can be at any time by
giving the necessary notice to all per-
sons who have appeared in the matter.