The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-07-13
MILLER DEFENDANT
IN A CIVIL SUIT
Action Taken for Recovery
of $3.50, ,327.35 Filed
by Receiver.

/ John Barton Miller today is made the
/ defendant in a civil suit. for the reCov-
/ cry Of 56,S2735 alleged to have been
fraudulently converted by Miller, while
! Isecretary-t treasurer Of the First Co
operative Building Association Of
! Georgetown.
/ This suit was brought by William E.
Ambrose, receiver of the association,
through his counsel. James S Easily
Smith ard John Lewis smith.
Miller is now at liberty under bond
Of 5000, furnished at the time a former
indictment, charging him with the de-
trUctiOn OF records, was returned
There are thirty-fOur counts in the
declaration filed by the receiver, each of
the first thirty-three counts alleging the
fraudulent conversion By Miller OF sums
OF money ranging from SlS249 to $500.
ana aggregaung So6S2l-80: The last
/ count alleges the conversion Of 100000
/ in addition 10 the sums first charged,
between June J. 1906, and July II, l55S,
[ all Of this being money received in the
course OF settlements made by the stock
/ holders who had borrowed various
amounts from the association.
t're investigation OF the affairs Of
the First Cooperative Building AssO-
cred a period OF nearly year. said
Receiver William F. Ambroze this
morning. and has been an exhaustive
one The investigation, however, has
been greatly impeded by the disappear
ance Of the books and records Of the
association at the time Miller was de-
posed. NY investigation has now
reached such a point that I have been
able 10 prepare fun and comprehen-
slve report showing Che condition of
the affairs of the association, and show
ing where large amount Of the money
has been frauduiently converted.
sa-sr
this report with the court and then
nave II printed for distribution among
the stockholders.
Indicted In April
Miller was indicted on April 5. 1903
The Indictment charged him with vio-
lating section $40 Of the District code,
which makes IL d crime for anyone to
destroy books OF papers affecting the
rights Of citizens Of public nature.
For days after the affairs of the
building association were brought into
the courts SeaTou was made for the
books OF the buil1ing association Miller
was iii IN bed, but refused To admit he
knew of the whereabouts OF the books
At one time more than 800 persons.
most Of whom had had dealings with
the association, gathered around the
Miller home, In Georgetown.
Contempt proceedings We're instituted
40 AEthNAfHA ~ llllcLll ambrose. IIi
an effort 90 make Miller give un the
books. He claimed immunity on the
ground that he might incriminate him
self
Replied to Charges.
Miller afterward replied to charges
made by Receiver Ambrose that he had
mismanaged the associations funds with
the assertion that it's troubles were
caused by the unrest I'm financial circles
all over the country, and a run. which
the company could not meet After the
first announcement of the deposition OF
Miller from the treasuTership oF the
building association, many suits were
instituted against him by citizens and
corporations In the District
Miller was first arrested al his GEORGE
town home on the night of July "a. 1903
The warrant was sworn out by Receiver
Ambrose and charged Miller with con-
cealing writings. GeC"Re Ray, George
town merchant, furnished the $4,000
bond required.