Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-03-06
THE KREToL CoMPANY.-A meetin

Chemical Company, for WblcO cOiPoia'
tion the court, of Virginia have been
asked to app 1int receiver, was hold 10
the office Of the company, 1924 F stree
northwest, Washington, last night a
resolution was adopted creating new
Office. that Of general superintendent,
aud coaferrng upoo the holder OF that
ofic9 all the du.ies that have hereto
fore been performed by the secretary,
Rjllo w. Browne. Tee name of the
person 10 be in,ru ted with the affairs
% the company has rot been given out.
Mrssrs. Chase and Anderson, the attor-
neys for the stockholders, and the
company, esDectively, stated alter the
m 3etiDg, tbs the affairs OF toe company
had been discussed at the meeting, and
that tentative action was taken toward
eff otlu9 a reorganization. The attor-
nsys both spoke hopefully OF the con-
dition Of sffiirs. sod ststed that, In
their opiDioa, the company would be
recognized 90 a paying basic, as soon
as the present difficult es could be over
come.
MI. Browne refused to make any
statement whatever, except TO cay thst
the Federal Banking and Trust Com
pauy, of Washington, which be also or
Sanized, was aD ent rely different cor
porstiop. and that its affairs had moth
ina TO do With the affairs OF the Kretol
Chemical Company. MFR. CIV O'Meara
the manager of the Kretol Company, 10
this CITY, stated yesterday that nothing
definite was done Of the meeting OF the
board. AMI when asked who would sue
coed Mr.. Browne 10 the management oil
the efars of the concern be stated that
no one would succeed Mr.. Browne, but
that az assistant would be appointed TO
hello him in carrying out the plans to be
formulated for the reorganization OF
che company.
The meeting was held 10 secret. Mr..
Harry PeS ton was designated as pre-
slding officer, and among those present.
were Rolla w. Browne, Attorneys
Chase and Anderson, and Mr.. @. w.
O'Mesra. Every one seemed to be OF
the opiniOn that the affairs OF the COM
pauy had been subjected to inefficient
management t, and no one hesitated TO
ssv so. Mr.. Peyton stated that he
only held a small quantity OF the
stock, but be declared that he con-
sidered Mr.. Browne responsible for
the present condition OF sffairs and
thought he should be deposed. The
only defenders OF the secretary were
Attorney Frank E. Anderson and Mr..
O'Mears, both of this city. Mr.. Ander-
son made strong plea for Mr.. Browne.
Mr.. Browne finally rose and made
lengthy speech. He said that no one
would for a moment deny that the
whole purpose of the meeting was
directed against him, and that should
the resolution be adopted 1t would vir-
tuslly legislats him out of Office. He
warned the directors that should the
resolution be adopted the plans for the
REORGANIZATION OF the company would
never carry. He directed attention to
the unconscious position he would oc'
ouuv 10 the eyes of every one, being
secretary of the company, handling the
money appropriated for clerk hire, and
vet not having one word to say with
regard to the management oil the com
pany's affairs. He said it was unfair to
him. and he did not think his long SER
vice 10 the company's behalf justified
such an action.
Mr.. O'Meara was questioned regard
ing a proposed meeting of the stock
holders of the company. He said thst
there would be no ting of the
stockholders, because such meeting
would not be legal until thirty days
notice of its occurrence had been
given. and IL must be held in Alex
spdria county. He said there could
not even be an informal meeting OF the
stockholders 10 Washington. Several
of the others expressed the same opin-
ion aud some doubt was raised In the
minds of those present ss to the
legality OF the meeting Of the board OF
directors at which such decisive action
was taken IS that OF last night. An
uouncements have been made through
special notices inserted 10 the local
newspapers OF meeting OF stockholders
to be held tonight In the office of the
company st 1924 F street. Mr.. O'Meara
denied that there would be any meet
Jog whatever, and asserted that the
notices had been inserted by women
and other persons who had become
frightened ut the turn of affairs.
The work of probing the affairs OF
Rollo W. Browne, orgaoizer of the
Kretol Company and the Federal
Ranking and Trust Company, OF
Washington, was continued yesterday,
and while not much information as to
the extent of the difficulty could
be gathered, yet there were
number Of developments. The doors
OF the banking establishment were
open yesterday, but by order OF Mr.. +.
J. D eudonne, the former president, no
deposits were received.
From information gained it is ascer'
tained that Browne came to Washing
ton seven years ago and held clerk.
shin 10 the Pension Bureau. Five
wears ago be started the Roriok Air
Cushion Truss Company. 10 the fall
OF 1899 be organized tle Kretol Com@
pany. Mrs. Annie Campbell owned
the Kretjl formulas, which we're pur-
chased from her. The Alexandria
Shoe Company and Alexandria Lsuo-
dry Company, also the Federal Bank
ing Company, were promoted by nlm
Ia quick succession. Prior to coming
TO Washington Mr.. Browne resided at
Tlfin OHIO, where be exploited a
street rail wsy company. A great many
women purchased stock in the cor
porstlon, but 1t was finally sold o0t
under foreclosure of mortgage. 1t
was then reorgsnized and is now said
to be a paying nvettment.
Mr.. O'Mesrs when seen today said at the
directors meeting in Washington last night
hr. Ford was appointed manager for the pull
pose o. putting the Kretol products on the
market, and that plans were agreed upon 10
get the concern out Of difficulty aud continue
the manufacture of its preparations. He
further stated that the Alexandria Shoe Com
pany was organized before Mr.. Browne be.
came interested in II, and while be is 3 stock