The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-08-05
Factions Unable To
 Agree On Receivers
 To Take Over Paper

Charging gross mismanagement on the part of Business Manager Edward Phefan, County Commissioner Frank F.. Ballard and other Stockh elders of The Evening Star have applied for the appointment of a temporary re- ceiver. Judge John W. Banks held a special hearing in the Superior Court this morning but, due to the in- ability of the two rival factions to agree upon a mutually satisfactory pointment until this afternoon.
 The application was made by Frank D. Ballard, Walter Anderson, Christopher c. LaCroix and Charles F. Sevens through their attorney, All bert J. Merritt. They charged that the affairs of the paper were being grossly nismanaged, and that the as- sets were in danger of being wasted b.- attachments and litigation. Their application asked for the appointment of a temporary receiver, and the pow CT to dissolve the corporation, known as the Bridgeport Herald Publishing Company.
 sented to the court, but were opposed by either one faction or the other. The factions consisted of Frank E. Ballard and his following of stock holders and Business Manager Ed ward Phelan, who the Ballard adher- ents charged with being responsible for the present condition of the pa per
 PheIan's name was offered for the receiversI1ip by his counsel, Judge Jonathan Grout, but was im1n ediately opposed both by Attorney Merritt and Attorney Henry E. shannon, repre- senting the bondholders and mort eagees of the sheet. They advocated a change both in management and policy of the paper, and introduced the name of Rober M. Blakeslee, for mer1y business manager of The Post.
 Neither side would accept the others candidate, and Judge Banks ordered a recess for conference be- tween the factions and tn acceptance of a mutually satisfactory candidat.
 No agreement was reached during the recess, and when court resumed three names were offered by each side.
 The Ballard candidates offered by Attorney Merritt were Robert M RIakeslee. Levi Cobb. formerly cir culation manager of The Post. and Archibald McNeil, Jr.. former edi- tor of The Post.
 Judge Grout offered as the Pheian candidates ex-Senator George B. Clark, Charles M. Canield and the Bridgeport Trust Company.
 Each of the six applicants were re; jected for one reason or another, ana it was suggested Dy MT; E3 Snana4n n fs that Judge Banks name ms own ois- interested candidate
 From testimony offered, it was shown that the paper was heavily in debt, and was los1ng money at the rate of s25oO a month. MT. Shan non claimed that when the last ac- counting was made in March the pa per was indebted to the extent of S45,OOO, and at the present time con ditions were getting worse and the paper deeper into debt each day.
 Among the creditors who were represented by MT. shannon as pos sessing bonds and mortgages against the paper to the extent of s13,OO0 were Frank Miller. R. H. Murphy, Frank E. Ballard, Stanley Bullard, w E. Primrose and Walter Ander- son.
 Following the inability of both sides to agree, Judge Banks adjourn ed court at 12:3O, announcing that when he resumed the hearing at two o'clock. he would name the receiver himself, unless the differing factions did not reach an agreement in the meantime.