New-York tribune., 1922-12-16
LAWYER Fails
TOCet Far Into
Elliott TangIe
David Lehman, Acting for
Creditor, Examines the
Former Treasurer Of
Business Builders, Inc.
Promoters Pay Revealed
Stock Enterprise Paid Him
$1,000 a Week and Pig
gIy Stores Added 500


David Lokman's explorations yestsr-
ssy into ire realm Of James VI. Il
Hotfs Business Buil8ers. Ine- which
LAST moth wus brought into the bank
ruptey court. failed 70 uncover any
sticks of dynamite. But the lawyer
uho examined the former treasurer Of
the stoek.seiling and so-ealied man
building organization, IN the ONCE Of
Peter p. oinsy ir- referee in bank
yuptey, ~ % william Street, on an
order signed By Federal Judge Julian
". Mack. hopes to get deeper into the
,snxls Of Elliott finance az second
hearing next Thursday.
Mr. Lehman represented a creditor
and was proceeding under Section 2i A
% shs bankruptcy Law. Attorneys for
shs alleged bankrupt and for the ~
ecivsr expressed Wonderment as 70 the
purpose Of the hearing.
Mr.. Lehman. facing small group
of former executives of Business
Rsllde,s and = handful Of stockholders
snd reporters, shouted % Vincent lei
bell. attorney for Mr. Elliott's COM
psny. that bis purpose Was 70 bring
cut Information which would put the
two men responsible for the company
sUhere they belong And, lest his
subtlety hide his meaning, he added,
-And you know what ] mean
LelbeIl Also Threatens
Mr. Leibell returned the compliment
by shouting back in the open session
tant nc might have an opportunity be-
FORE the matter vas settled 10 bring
out sons facts about Mr.. Lehman snd
Ms clients. who, he charged. we're for
ncr executives Of Business Builders
rho revolted shortly before the re-
csivor was appointed and we're dis
charged.
ne sole witness was william G.
BENTLEY. who until last July had been
treasurer for Business Builders, and
ui,o later became general manager Of
he Manhattan Piggy Wiggly Corpo-
ration. of which Mr. Elliott Was presi-
sent and which Is now also in receiver
ship. The books of the Business Build
ers we're not subp1naed and Mr.. Bent
icy had made no attempt TO memorize
heir contents.
The question Of salaries arose, and
Harry Zalkins. OF the law frm Of lal-
kiss & Cohen, attorneys for the re.
criTer Of Business Builders. stepped
from bis position Of neutrality 70 re-
mark Every one connected with BOsi-
ness Builders got nn exorbitant salary.
- NIr all EmnrH
100 well that they spent too much
money"
Owes Elliott sl25.0o0
Nr. Bentley said that his salary as
treasurer Of Business Builders was
500 when he started and $500 when
he quit, and that Mr.. Elliotts salary
RON Business Builders was 81 200
weekly and from the various Piggly
Wivgiv corporations with which he
VAS affiliated 800 weekly. lie added
-hnt Business Builders now owes Mr..
Eliott Si2B.OOO, and asserted that Mr..
Elliott did not receive IN cash all the
salary due him and credited on the
books.
ar. Bentley testified that the pay roll
Of Business Builders was 5000 a
week IN September, 1921. $4,000 a week
Ia yuly. 1922, and $1,000 at the time
he receiver. was appointed. The sales
men received no salaries, but commits
sionrrs Of 1914 per cent on stock sold,
AR. Bentley said. The monthly rental
IN the Knickerboeker Building, he said,
Vas 81 900.
Attorneys tor the alleged bankrupt
and FOR the receiver indicated that by
next Tuesday they might be ready 70
announce tentative plans for the re-
organization Of the Manhattan Piggy
Wirgly Corporation, which operates
self-serviee grocery stores in New York