The Washington times., 1905-01-04
Number File Claims in Supreme Court of
District Asking That He Be Adjudged
Bankrupt
CO-TRUSTEEl WITH WAGGAMAN
IN NUMEROUS REALTY DEALS
It IS Said That His Debts Aggregate Over
500, 900, and That He Has Assets of
Not More Than $4,000.

A petition was filed today in the Su-
prerne Court of the District by At
torneys William E. Ambrose, Mason N.
Richardson and J. Miller Kenyon, req
resenting creditors of John Ridort. the
well-known attorney, asking that he be
adjudged bankrupt.
The petition represents that John
Ridout owes Sarah NJ. Baxter, "a. .112-5o
Lester B. Platt, 50, 600; Elizabeth H. Nc
Gala. 81. SOC, and that all these amounts
/, are now overdue. The petition further
states that Mr. Ridout allowed the
Citizens National Bank to obtain juds-
ments against him in the months of Oc-
tober and November aggregating $500,
!, and that the judgments have never been
satisfied
It is alleged that suffering these jndg-
ments constitutes an act of bankruptcy
under the statutes and that its purpose
was to prefer the bank over other ertdi-
tors. The petitioners 1t is understood,
fear that If some action is not taken
to protect them the bank will be enabled
to collect IT'S judgment and lessen their
opportunities for enforcing payment
Tried in Vain to Adjust.
For a number of months it has been
widely rumored in legal and business
circles that Mr.. Ridout was in finan-
cial straits, and within the past two
months a number of meetings have been
held by attorneys representing abosit a
dozen creditors with sums owing them
aegregating 800 900, for the purpose of
adjusting Mr.. Ridout's affairs as be-
tween himself ana his creditors without
the necessity of recourse 10 the courts
Various propositions have been made
by counsel representing both Mr.. Kid
out and the creditors. and ar various
stages of the negotiations it appeared
that an amicable adjustment of the diff
ficulties might be had, but about a week
ago, it is understood. counsel for MIR.
Ridout Informed those with whom he
had been comforting that an adjustment
was Impossible. and that he. as counsel,
was at the end of his resources. and it
therefore became necessary to take the
steps which were taken today in the
courts
After consultation between the various
!. attorneys representing the creditors it
was determined that in order to protect
their clients il would be necessary tc
institute the proceedings flied this morn
ing. and the hearing upon the petition
viii be had at q very early day Upon
Indebtedness is found 70 De in excess of
s10D,GGa. with assets insufficient to meet
demands. II being estimated that his
total assets clear of all incumbrance
Will not exceed $4,000
Had a Large Practice.
Mr.. ,Ridout has been prominent in le-
gai and business affairs in the District
ana for the past twenty-five years has
been looked upon as an authority upon
real estate matters. Prior TO the organ
ization and full development of the title
companies to which has now very gen
orally been committed the business of
searching titles, Mr.. Ridout had a very
extensive practice among real estate
men, and TO a considerable extent made
a specially of passing on titles TO real
estate. For the past ten years. how
ever, his practice has been OF more
varied character.
Originally he was clerk in the Treas
ury Department but left that depart
ment to practice law. in which profes-
sion ne has been engaged for the past
twenty-five years. Ie and Mr. rviug
Williamson. the counsel for AIR Wag-
gaman, are half brothers, and through
this connection Mr. Ridout had figured
as trustee in number of important real
estate deals with Mr.. Waggaman
1t Is understood that to some extent
he made a business of investing money
for Clients in real estate himself plac-
tEg the valuation on them, and 1t Is