Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-09
SAFE IS EMPTY.
RECORDS LACKING,
BOOKS MISSING
First Building Association of
Georgetown in Sad Shape.
TREASURER CRITICALLY ILL
President and Other Officers Utterly
at Sea.
NO ACCOUNTS A BIG HANDICAP
Proceedings in Court Held Up by
Lack of Understanding Between
Two Judges-History Of the
Organization-Stat
of Assets.
TREASURER CRITICALLY ILL
President and Other Officers Utterly
at Sea.
NO ACCOUNTS A BIG HANDICAP

After a business existence O
more than a quarter of centur,
the First Cooperative Building
Association OF Georgetown, D. c.
viii. probably, tomorrow pass into
= hands of receivers.
Tie safe of the association i:
empty and its books missing
resident Fleming fears they have
en- DESTROYED.
|. Harton Miller was treasurer
ii secretary &C the First Co
aerative Bu,'dr.g Association
until last night, when he was sum-
:nl,iiy removed by action of the
beard OF directors. He is now
critically i'll in his 35th street
home OF nervous prostration, and
at his office today it was said his
recovery is doubtful.
The startling condition OF the
associations affairs was not dis
covered until last Thursday, when
the safe was opened, after a great
deal of trouble in obtaining the
combination.
Attorneys Wilton Lambert
and Wharton Z. Lester yesterday
afternoon visited Justice Gould oi
the Supreme Court of the District
of Columbia, at his country home
and obtained receivership order
appointing Messrs. Lambert and
Lester and Frank P. Reeside re-
ceivers.
Justice Wright this morning re-
fused to recognize this receiver
ship order and severely scored the
conduct of Messrs. Lambert and
Wharton as discourteous and un-
lawyerlike, declaring he is the
only Judge on duty at the court
house, and they should have ap-
piled to him for the order.
With its safe empty, its cash and books
missing and presumably destroyed, it's late
secretary critically i'll of nervous pros
tratiou. and receivership proceedings heli
up by d lack of understanding between
two judges OF the District Supreme Court
the First Cooperative Building Associa
ton Of Georgetown, D. c., Is in a pref Y
pickle today.
J. Barton Miller, president of the Miller
Shoemaker Real Estate Company, was tn,
secretary and treasurer OF the building
association until last night, when he wa.
summarily removed at meeting Of the
hoard of directors. But he had been i'll a
lis home since June Ii, and now his con
dition is SO serious that no one is permit
led to see him. and at his Office today
srave doubt is expressed Of his recovery.
Officers Utterly at Sea.
President John Fleming and other off
GERS of the association are utterly at Sea
concerning the financial status of the as
sociation.
Mr. Fleming is inclined to believe tha
The ledgers and other books which will
throw light on the business of the asso
citation Will never be recovered and tina
The condition of the association will no
become known until after a comprehen
Slve audit under court order.
Finally, 1T n meeting last night tn,
board Of directors, after carefully consid
eFing all the circumstances, including tn,
difficulty lit obtaining the combination
rom Mr.. Miller. the non-recovery of TIN
SsSociation's books, etc, decided to re
move him from the position of secretary
treasurer. George Freeman, membe
Of the board of directors, was made sec
retary-trea surer pro tenn. in Mr.. Miller
place
Although the association has been il
financial difficulties for some time, tn
startling condition of affairs, with its at
feIdant sensations. did not become know
s'ntn last thursday, when, after much de
-ay and great difficulty in securing tn
combination. the safe was opened. in
search for the missing books. and Wa
tound to be absolutely empty.
Word had previously been sent to MI
Miller. then Ill at his home, 1921 35t
street northwest to produce the com
bination. which was known to him alone
IL failed of result. Then message afte
message was sent to- Mr. Miller-no on
Connected with the association being per
United To see him--but without avail Th
directors held meeting and had abou
declded To apply for court order author
izing them to make forcible entry OF tn
SAFE. when former United States Attorne
Henry T.. Davis, who had been retaine
as counsel for Mr.. Miller, promised t
bination
Mr.. Davis called at Mr.. M;lIer's hom
and saw the patient. and the latter mad
known the combination. This informa
ton Dr. Davis transmitted to the dfrec,
ors. who Immediately opened the safe.
Safe Found Empty.
Word was Immediately sent to NJ,
Davis. informing him of the fact tina
the safe was empty. and he made an
other call upon Mr.. Miller. The latter
who had suffered a serious relapse 4
his illness. following the demand 70
the combination, would give no othe
reply to the pleadings Of Mr.. Davis tina
lie produce the books of the associatio
and do everything In his power I
straiRhten matters out than q repeate
and insistent II can't do 1t: I can't d
IT.
The missing books comprise ever
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