Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-12-17
Former Atlanta Local Mama
ger Says Charges Are Un-
warranted and Unfair and
He Will Explain Matter.
EXPERT ACCOUNTANT HERE
TO INVESTIGATE RECORDS
Friends Say Company Got
Benefit of Every Cent He
Spent and That He Is Able
to Make Complete Statement


The Phenix Insurance company of Nevf
York viii not lose penny from any al
legged discrepancies to exist in the Atlanta
office Of the company under the admins
tration of Local Manager Harry c. Stock
dell.
This announcement, following fast upon
the charge of an alleged shortage of $5o..
900, comes from an authority that can
not be questioned
It is further stated on authority that
all money not accounted for to the com
pany has been spent by former Manager
Stockdell in what he considered wise
and judicious effort to build up the bust
ness of the company he represented in it's
southern territory.
1t is further stated that the manage.
ment Of the Phenix Insurance company
has known for number of years Of an
overdraft in the Atlanta office and con-.
scented to accept certain collateral from
Manager stockdell three years ago.
which, at that time, it is said, was am.
pie to protect the company from any
loss.
Since the transfer Of this collateral by
Mr.. Stockdell, he has handled more than
$s.OOO,O0O in cash and until the change
in management Of the AFFAIRS of the Phe-
nix recently, his conduct OF the Atlanta
office is said to have been satisfactory
and his relations to the home office most
cordial.
PERSONAL FIGHT is MADE.
Friend OF Mr.. Stockdell regard the
charges against his conduct as manager
of the local office somewhat as the result
of personal ill-will toward him on the
part of President E. w. T. Gray, who is
a nephew of Henry Evans, chairman Of
the executive board of the Phenix COM
pany.
Both Evans and Gray have been off,
Gals in non-tarin companies. Prior 10
his connection with the Phenix Mr.. Gray
was with the Continental Insurance com
pany, and as an officer of that concern
it is said waged war upon Manager Stock
dell, OF a tariff company, and at one tirne
president Of the Tarif association This
campaign between the two men has
brought about an animus that has been
realized by both factions for years.
Immediately upon the ascendency to the
presidency Of the Phenix, President
Gray and Chairman Evans, his uncle,
issued an order dismissing Manager
Stockdell in Atlanta and appointing Ma
Jor Hard, Of Greenville, S. c., in his
stead.
Following this action came the charges
of the alleged shortage of approximately
$4,000 in the office Of Mr.. Stockdel.
MR.. STOCKDELL'S STATEMENT.
Former Manager StockdeIl said, when
told Of the charges in New York:
1.-THE suggestion in the charges are un-
warranted and unfair to me. 1 am sure
that will be able soon to make a state
ment that will be entirely satisfactory
to my friends
Further than this Manager Stockden
declined to discuss the matter, adding
that he was acting under the advice OF
his attorney, Hon. John NJ. Slaton, who
is now in New York.
With friends, however, Mr.. StockdelI
has talked freely about the charges, and
has satisfied them, at least, that what
ever money might have been handled
without being accounted for was spent In
an earnest and conscientious effort to ad-
vance the interests of the company in
the Territory controlled by the local man
aner.
1t is known that Mr.. stockden has new
er specialized and that he has not ac-
position and salary might have entitled
him to.
DENY ANY CRIMINAL INTENT.
Speaking for Mr.. Stockdell, a prominent
Albanian stated Thursday that there
could be no question but that Mr.. Stock
dell had acted in good faith and with
high business integrity in the conduct of
his business affairs with the Phenix
There may be discrepancies in the af-
fairs Of the Office he said, and 1 take
this for granted, as Mr.. Stockdell frankly
admits the company has for years known
of a difference in the reports of the At
lanta office and the home Office, but
have absolute knowledge that Harry
Stockdell has not been a financial gainer
by such condition. The money has been
spent simply in what Mr.. StockdeII
thought was a wise administration of the
affairs of the company he represented and
of this his superiors had full knowledge
There would have never been any
charges preferred but for the change in
management and the peculiar fact that
the head office is now under the control
of gentlemen who are known as not only
but persistent enemies of the
manager until his dismissal"