The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1921-11-11
OPP TON HI
RE0RG ING OF
MONTANA GROWERS
Ticket Holders Object and Conference
With Judge Is Made Secret Session.

Ticket Holders Object and Conference
With Judge is Made Secret Session.
Helna, Nov. 2.-Opposition to the
proposed reorganization OF the Mon
Eana Grain Growers corporation hiss
developed to such formidable ex-
tent that it promises to force -he IL
l!uidation of that concern, which has
Teen in the hands Of receiver since |
last spring. knowledge Of the ex-
tent Of this opposition coming to tie
notice Of representatives of the orga-
nizition at the time set for the hear
ing of the organ:y alton petition in |
the court Of Dist1 let Judge A. J. Hor-
sky, Monday afternoon, caused them |
to make Recommendations upon which |
the court requested the representa-
tive of the papers and any others rot
others not directly interested in the
affairs Of the organization to leave
tile court room after he had advised
them that it Wss desired no publicity
be given the matters which would be
PRESENTED.
Davis Heads Opposition.
The Gearing was in the nature Of
an informal conference which had
been called by the court in connection
with the petition of Receiver ]. c..
Critics for authority to proceed to the
reorganization of the company under
the provisions of the agricultural cor
poration law passed by the last legis-
latue.r The court had invited the re-
cei.er. directors of the company, the
secretary of agriculture, storage tic
ket holders, cerditors and others IN
terested to be present at the confer
ence.
Before the date of the hearing it
became known that a spirit Of
antagonism had arisen among the
many hundreds of storage ticket hold
ers and that Commissioner of Agri
culture c. C. Davis, on behalf Of the
state, was preparing to oppose the
move on the grounds that he believed
sucl, a step would further jeoparlize
the reports of the storage ticket hold
ers; on the additional grounds that
the land signed up on which bonds
could be issued represented a value of
about one-fourth Of the liabilities of
the company; and finally, on the
grounds that only through an order
lily disposition of the assets of the
company and the early termination of
the receivership and for various other
reasons.
Ex-Governor Is Counsel
This led to private conference in
the chambers Of Judge Horsky, after
which the court opened the hearing.
Former Governor S. ". Stewart APP
peared for the receiver and informed
! the court that the receiver, who had
gone to St. Paul on important bust
ness had been detained and could not
be present and that John G. Brown
of his firm, who had been handling
the details Of the receivership was
ill and also unable to appear.
| The court stated that Mr.. Brown
and Mr.. Critics could be heard later
but as many others had come from
distant points to take part in the
hearing, it would be carried on.
Three-Hour Secret Session
He then informed those assembled
/ that as this was not a formal cour1
hearing, but rather a business con
ference in which the public is not in
terested and as many of the state
ments would probably be made which
would not be we'll to have scattered
broadcast over the state, he woult
ask all those not ticket holders or no
directly interested in the matter t.
leave the room.
1 The meeting then proceeded for
period of about three hours, durin,
which it is understood some very di
rect stateemnts were made as bearln,
upon the management of the Montan
Grain Growers affairs.
I Among about 80 who were presen
at the conference We're. about a doze'
ticket holders, men who so far hav
! received but 10 per cent of the amour
of their claims for wheat stored an
, most of these explained their mos
strenuous opposition to reorganization
:, They came as delegates from varlou
J communities of creditors and an1on
them was w. C. Husband, county al
9 torney of Wheatland county.
I Asked to Sell Assets
q Although Secretary of Agricultur
/ c.. C. Davis declined to give any II
al formation as to the proceedings, it
known that he presented to the coul
;, written statement containing his OF
. jecions to the proposed reorganlzatlo
. and that he requested the court to o.
. der the receiver to dispose of the a:
I sets for the benefit of the creditor
e and to provide FOR the institution {
actions against the directors on tt
9 grounds that they are financially |
i able for the debts Of the corporate
j. through their failure to file a stat
|; ment Of the concerns affairs as requi
!. ed by law. No intimation was mac
) that the directors or officers wei
criminally liable.
The court took the matter under a.
visement.
'sl