The Washington herald., 1908-07-11

j. Barton Miller, the deposed secretary
treasurer OF the First Cooperative Build
ing Association Of Georgetown, refused
admission TO callers at his home. 1921
Thirty-hfth street northwest, last night
Mrs. Miller. who says her husband Is serl-
ously III. stated that Se did not care 10
discuss the action taken by Justice
Wright, OF the Supreme Court Of the Dis
trict Of Columbia, regarding the affairs
Of the association.
Justice Wright yesterday authorized the
issuance Of writ OF ne exeat directing
the United States marshal % detain the
former secretary treasurer, but # was
pointed out by Attorney w. c. Sullivan.
representing Nils Molin, one Of the stock
holders, that the serving OF the writ Of
detention was not necessary. and II was
not issued.
After listening to arguments for and
against a sole receivership, Justice Wright
set aside the order Of Justice Gould ap-
pointing three receivers, and appointed
William Earl Ambrose. a member OF the
bar. sole receiver. with a bond at $4,000.
Receiver To Act mt Once.
Mr. Ambrose has decided or immediate
action. He said:
1 Will take possession OF the books Of
tho association that can be found. as
soon as possible. The accounts will be
audited at the earliest possible moment.
1t Will be necessary 20 obtain from Mr..
Miller much Of tie information required
to adjust the financial difficulties in
which the association has become IN
volyed. Because Of Mr. Miller's illness.
this viii be difficult task Rigid search
VIII be made for the missing books and
records, upon which so much depends.
Several months VIII probably be con
sumed IN ascertalnlng the true condition
Of the finances Of the association"
The courtroom was filed to its doors
yesterday morning with persons inter-
ested IN the affairs Of the building asso-
citation. among them being many resi-
dents OF Georgetown. which has been
stirred by the revelations OF the last few
days.
Much interest was shown when Attor-
ney d. w. ODonoghue. representing
stockholders. read an intervening petition
and affidavit. made by himself In It he
said he had attended the last annual
meeting. and advised a plan OF reor-
ganization. which ne thought necessary
after watching the affairs OF the associa-
ton for more than a year. during which
time he had used his influence with law
yers to prevent the company going into
the hands OF receiver, The proposed
plan OF reorganization was strongly op-
posed by Secretary-ueasurer Miller, as
serted Mr.. O'Donoghue. Mr.. Miller. ac-
cording TO the speaker. went so far as
20 declare he would resign his position II
a special auditor was called in TO inspect
the books.
Says Miller Forced His Recollection.
Attorney O'Donoghue declared Miller
had forced his own reelection by obtain
Ing forty-one proxies from women and
voted down every attempt made 70 in
vestigate the finances OF the association
with these forty-one votes.
Attorney O'DonoghUe was preceded by
Wharton +. Lester. representing the di-
rsctors Of the association. who said the
directors were unaware OF the condition
Of the associations finances. Mr. Lester
said. I'VE do not attempt 20 deny the
insolvency, because we have not been
dh4e 10 StL AoIo 'A tAe bOoAS. we are
willing 10 say that unless there has been
a misappropriatiOn OF funds the associa-
tiOn is solvent. The last report OF the
secretary-treasurer showed the assets
were S2l2,0O0 and the Liabilities SlSl 600,
with a surplus OF $1,000. We can give no
detailed statement Of the affairs Of the
association because Of the disappearance
Of the books"
J. Barton Miller has retained Henry E.
Davis as his attorney. II was through
Attorney Davis that Mr Miller turned
over the combination OF the safe when
called upOn 10 do so by the officers