The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-10-31
TRUE REFORMERS
IhfEOERAl COUR I
Washington Creditors Ask Judge
WadIill to Put Receivers
in Charge.
PETITION is OPPOSED
Judge Waddill Defers Action
Until He Can Determine on
Jurisdiction.

application for a receiver to take
charge of the already much muddled
affairs OF the United Order of True
Reformers was made yesterday In the
United States District Court. and add
cd another twist to complications now
before two State courts. Application
to the tcucral court was made by
Creditors r. Il. Horner and j. w.
Lewis. of Washington. through their
counsel, John A. Lamb. Conway Sands
and others, on the ground that they
are not residents of Virginia.
1t was thought TO steal a march on
the present officers of the big colored
beneficial society. but the latter were
Very much aware of what was being
done. and were on hand with counsel.
Richard Evelyn Byrd and former Gov
ernor a. j. Montague, to light tho petit
tion for rcceivcrshlp.
From $3.50 until nearly o'clock
yesterday afternoon Judge Edmund
Waddill. Jr.. heard arguments by at
torncys for both sides. He finally de-
cidcd to have further argument this
decide whether or not the Federal
court will grant or deny the appli-
cation.
Question of Jurisdictfun.
The question is now said to be ono
OF NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. tho affairs OF
the order shall be taken charse of by
the Federal court or 8 State court
Several days ago an application for
a receiver was made In the Chancery
Court of tho city of Richmond. Ac-
ton on this is also pending.
w. r. Griffin, grand worthy master
of the Grand Fountain OF the True
Reformers. said yesterday that TO
throw the order In the hands of re-
ceivers would be disastrous.
''Thc order IS now receiving from
$500 to $1,000 daily. and is paying Off
its claims as rapidly as possible" said
Griffin. There is a faction, including
some OF the f.rmer officers of the or
der who were ousted when we re-
organized. that is seeking to set what
funds we now have tied up in the RED
tape of the courts and prohibit any
further income.
"In this manner these men expect to
handicap US by the lack of MONEY in
furtherng the criminal prosecutions
in the Hastings Court next month of
the officers of the True Reformcrs'
Bank. who robbed the colored people
of Richmond right and left.
They have figured out that If a re-
cciver is appointed there will be no
as they should be. 1t is merely "a hope
on their side TO secure a delay in these
trials.
SAYS II Would &c Harmful.
Therefore ! say that 1t would be
disas trous for the courts TO interfere
with us. Our affairs arc daily being
placed upon a more substantial and
solid financial basis. and II Will be
only n matter of a short while before
we will be entirely on our feet"
According to the present head OF the
True Rcforiners Il is because the OPP
posing faction includes members who
are friends to some of the negroes who
arc under Indictment iii the Hastings
Court for wreckins the True Reform
crs' Bank that they are anxious to add
to The difficulties OF the order. with
this hope that tho prosecution may be
delayed
Mr.. Byrd said yesterday afternoon,
after the conference with Judge Wad-
dill. that il is the intention OF his side
to fight the appointment OF a Federal
receiver from all sides, as Will also
be done in the State court.
Judge Waddill deferred action yes
terday In order to ascertain the juris
diction. about which doubt has arisen.
1t may be that 1t would be beyond
the power of the Federal court TO name
receiver even IL 1t thought ft