Norwich bulletin., 1910-11-21

Aa
 Natchaug Lodge, No. 22. K of P. E.. M. ARNOLD'S CREDITORS
 MAY GET 4 PER cENTy PERHAPS. Lengthy Hearing on aturday-Deputy
 Sheriff George F. Holbrook Settled
 Upon as Trustee.
 The hearing of the creditors of Ern- est M- Arnold, the Putnam bankrupt, was held Saturday morning in the rooms of the WiIlimantic board of d. Bowen. The session was lively one attended by some fifty or more of the creditors. large number was represented by counsel. MT. Arnold ing was called. and Attorney Russell of Putnam was present to represent his interests.
 Judge Bowen explained the purpose of the hearing, and before it was call ed to order offered the $50,00O life in- surance for sale to the highest bidder. He had already received a bid of $50 for it from 8 MT. Thompson of New Ha- ven, and that gentleman had paid one premium amounting to a little over $1,- 900, for which he would have to be re- imbursed by the bidder.
 Ale IoilcE VIII nave a ldpSS value or about s3,S00 after another years pre- m1um has been paid. The question was asked by a creditor why,if it was a good investment for single person to make. 1t would not be a good thing for the estate to purchase or keep up the pol- icy until it lapsed, and thus save what they could for the eStaI e. Judge Bow en decided that it would be illegal snd the matter wap deferred for later act ion.
 Deputy Sheriff George F. Holbrook or Pu<nam was appointed trustee after muEn discussion.
 Method of Election Explained
 Judge Bowen explained the method or eiecting a trustee, saying that th5 amount of their claims, ruled. Attorney M. H. Geisier of Putnam said that he represented 200 creditors with claims aggregating about s3000G0. At this 1uncture Frederick H Allen, a Hartford lawyer, interrupted with the request tfon whether he secured these claims by the voluntary act of the creditors or not? He himself had clients that had received letters from a firm of lawyers in Putnam who didn't under stand what they would be doing in au- thorizing the firm 10 act for them
 Attorney Geislet explained that he
 
 would explain itself to every one of the creditors by request of Sheriff Hol- brook, who was a candidate for trustee. He laid the letter on Judge Bowen's s desk and Judge Bowen read 1t for the benefit of the creditors. The letter re- quested that the clients sign a power of attorney in favor of MT Geisler or his brother attorney MT Torrey. au- thorizing' them to vote for MT. Hol- brook for trustee
 AIr. Allen said that several clients of his had had letters from Nfr. Barton. soliciting for Mir. Arnold. recornn end- ing this firm of lawyers. Torrey & Geisler. as attorneys for tlie creditors and recommending Deputy s;heriff Hol- brook for trustee.
 Recommended Mir. Holbrook.
 Attorney Russell explained that he had talk with MT. Barron on a street car one day and that during: the talk he had mentioned that MT Ho3brooI would be good trustee. Mir. Barron fiad agreed with him and mepti ned that he might send letters to some of MT. Arm old's creditors with whom he was per- sonally acquainted favorilsg his GAgr Holbrook's) candidacy. MT. Russell thought therefore that pel .haps he in- directly might have influenced MT. Barron to write the letters Mir. Geisler reiterated that he sent out the letters at Nr Holbrook's request and that he did not know until three days ago that MT. Barron had written any letters. Of his claims he had personally seen more than three fourtlls of them, the other thirty or so having been received by mail MT. Allen having secured one of MT. BaIron's letters from one of the creditors present, read several extracts from it to show that Barron solicited votes for oHIbroook and recommended Torrey & Geisler as attorneys. He md 1iC afp T-yif of a sentence beginning, T want to tell you confidentially," and Haad that that was the portion of the letter lie could not read, although t was the portion he most desired to- MT. Allen said he had also been told that some of the creditors understood that it was ref eree's wish that they sign those papers fer Tcrrev {; Geisler Ii)rJ they came by that understanding he did not know
 To Save Time.
 Judge Bowen said that unless thu creditors disagreed materially upon the appointment of a trustee he had no power to act in the matter But he be- lieved the matter of the appointm ent of a trustee should be disposed of at this meeting, it was essential to save all time possible.
 Mir. Barron's Suggestion.
 w E.. Garter of Putnam. who sai
 
 a creditor of MT. Arnold, read from a letter he had received from MT. Barron which did not say anything about Tor rey S Geisler, but did mention that if MT Holbrook was appointed trustee, he. working with MT. Arnold, would be able to save the estate 50 to 60 per cent. of the liabilities and that in the long run there would be no loss to the creditors.
 Attorney Russell invited anyone whe had the belief that Judge Bowen favor ed the appointment of MT. Holbrook to speak up and then proceeded to explain MT. Arnolds position as one of aloof- ness. although willing to aid the trus- tee in every way thtat he could.
 E. c. Jewett Heard
 F. C. Jewett of Putnam said that it was the belief of creditors without question that MT. Arnold had had a good deal to say as to who should be appointed trustee of his estate He wondered if MT. Arnold working with the trustee would be able to save any more. and added: You see where he landed us alone" MT. Jewett then said that he understood that MT. Geisler was not creditor but that his wife was. and he again wondered if MT. Geisler who advised his wife to invest, was a safe man to advise now.
 MT. Russell then said that he knew that MT. Holoroolz was not MT. Arn- oId's choice as he had heard MT xrn- old say several times that he favored himself in the matter. It was simply a straightforward, honest campaign on the part of MT. Holbrook for the place Mir Allen iOterrupted tO say that if an