The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-22
sues THOMPSON STARREIT
CHARGES OF CONSPIRACY MADE
BY ROBERT III. REID.
He Demands His Share OF 300 ,OO0 FRONTS
That . Marble Works In which the
Three Were Concerned Should Have
Mado-Says They Froze Him out.

IT
That . Marble Works In which the
Three Were Concerned Should Have
Mado-Says They Froze Him Out
Henry s. Thompson, Superintendent OF
Buildings, and Theodore Starrett of the
Thompson-Starrett Company, with which
Mr.. Thompson was associated something
more than a year ago, are, with others,
charged with conspiracy by Robert Fl
Reid. owner of large marble works at
Astoria. in suit which Reid has just
brought In the Supreme Court.
According to the allegations in the suit
the three men formerly controlled between
them all the stock of the marble company
Of which the plaintiff is the head. Reid
alleges that as a result of illegal and fraudu-
lent proceedings, which he says the other
two instituted in order to freeze him out
Of the corporation, the oompany's business
suffered losses of about 100000 in prospec-
tive profits. Sic is suing to recover his
share of these profits.
Mr.. Reid's story ID that in July, 1901, the
Thompson-Starrett Company, Of which
Supt Thompson was then q member, told
him that they wanted to secure a large
marble plant to be operated in their bust
ness. and proposed to him as a practical
marble man that he secure such a plant.
The understanding, he says, was that
the building corporation was to be kept
in the background in the matter. Reid
says that he accordingly acquired by a
ten years lease the marble works Of Volken-
ming Il Co.. at Astoria, and that he and
Messrs Starrett and Thompson then Or
ganized the corporation of Robert Ii. Reid
i Co.
The company was capitalized at $50, 900,
all paid in. Reid asserts that he owned
so per cent. Of the stock and that the rest
was divided equally between the other
two, All the stock, he says, was issued
under. a stockholders agreement, which
provided that he was to be president and
manager for five years.
Every thing went well until February,
1902. Reid charges that during mis- absence
Starrett and Thompson, although ownin z
only half the STOCK, railroaded resolu-
lions through a meeting changing the
name of the corporation, increasing its
capitalization to 100000 and electing a
certain John W, Burke of Baltimore, Who
owned no stock al all, president. Reid
says he was left out entirely as an officer
Mr. Reid charges further that at the same
time they removed from the safe the stock
certificate book, the stock ledger and the
minute book containing the stockholders
agreement and tried to abrogate certain
vital agreements.
During the few days in which the new
officers we're in charge. Reid declares, they
issued notes in favor of the Thompson
Starrett Company, and putting the Robert
Fl. Reid X Co. in debt. At the same time
he says, they conspired with the landlord
Volkenning, so that by their not paying the
rent, when due, he could olst Reid as
lessee, this in order that new lease might
then be made with Thompson and Starrett.
Reid alleges that when he found out
what had happened Mr.. Starrett, told him
in effect that if he would be good he could
continue as manager and would be taken
care of. Instead he APPLIED to just ice
Dickey in Kings county for a receiver
ship for the company and the court ordered
the company's books produced, declared
the election illegal and void and appointed
him receiver
He alleges that he has paid all the com.
panys debts personally and subsequently,
acquired all the stock held by bot h Thomp-
son and Starrett and on Feb 7 last got tie
receivership vacated. The profits he Sues
for would have come, he declares, from,
important contracts which were about
to be signed and fell through because of
the company's difficulties.
Efforts to find Supt. Thompson or Mr.
Starrett or their lawyers last night were
unsuccessful. All were said to be out OF