The Washington herald., 1908-07-10

Lying critically III at his home in
Thirty-hfth street northwest. unconscious
OF the events OF the last few days that
have eliminated in his dismissal ]. Bar
ton Miller. until Wednesday evening sec
retary-treasurer OF the First Cooperative
Building Association. is watched over
tenderly by his young wife.
Receivers will probably be appointed
this morning 10 look into the disorgan-
lied condition Of the associations affairs
and discover. II possible. the whereabouts
OF the missing ledgers and other books of
the company that are believed to have
been destroyed
Although the officers Of the company
have been aware OF the startling condi-
tion OF the affairs Of their association for
some time. the public exposal was not
made until yesterday morning. when J.
Fleming. president, through his attorneys.
sought TO have a. receivership order ap-
proved in the Supreme Court OF the Dis
trict
OuI6 bmpIyl hooks Tone
The drastic measure was aot taken until
It was discovered that the associations
safe was empty and the books and other
papers were missing Only after great
difficulty was the combination of the safe
obtained from the late secretary, Mr..
Miller
While none Of the officers OF the asso-
ciation has made an accusation against
Miller, several seem 70 infer that he
knows what has become of the concern s
books. Unttl these are found. the true
condition OF affairs will remain unknown.
Just what the financial status Of the
association is at present is unknown TO
President Fleming or TO any Of the other
officers Mr.. Fleming said last evening
that no had given up hope OF recovering
the lost books. and was inclined TO be-
leve a comprehensive audit was the only
means Of determining the condition OF
affairs.
Loss VIII BE Small.
Mr.. Fleming said the loss. II there were
any. would be very small. The company
has had legal difficulties for some time.
and Mr.. Fleming explained. had taken
all precautions TO guard against any
defalcaticn
Il have known Bart for twenty years. -
said the president referring to the for
mer secretary, "and l hardly think he
could have defrauded the association. The
circumstances. though. are very unfor-
tunate to US all, and place him and the
association in a peculiari position. At
present Mr.. Miller is a very III man. but
this illness was brought about mainly
through his diligent efforts TO keep the de-
positors from harassing the association -
When seen at the Miller residence last
night Mrs. Miller seemed depressed. and
spoke with a tremor.
Il do not know anything about my hus-
bands affairs, but 1 cannot believe the
stories that are being circulated" she
said.
1t is contended by the leading stock
holders that the association Is IN a self
sustaining condition. and that the short
age, II there be any. is a small sum OF
money. The property and liens owned
by the concern are said 90 be safe
Good Surplus Is Reported.
According 10 the annual report. made
June 4. the surplus is S35,S6294, and Mr..
Fleming said last evening the company
had not lost a dollar since that time.
The First Cooperative Building Asso-
citation was organized in Georgetown In
1SS2. and has always been considered a
prosperous institution. At present there
are more than 800 stockholders.