The New York herald., 1922-11-07
A.A.H HOUSMAN AGENT,
YACHT AND $4,000
STRANGELY MISSING
EmbeZzlement Warrant Is
sued in Bridgeport for
J. III. Havens.
ALL PAPERS BURNED
Hundred Clients Storm Of
flee and Find His Safe
Empty.
FAMILY ALSO IS GONE
Bankruptcy Petition Filed
Cotton Fluctuations Blamed
for Brokers' Failure.
FAMILY ALSO IS GONE

Special Dispatch TO THE NEW YORK HERALD.
BRIDGEPORT, Nov. 6.-Fluctuations il
the cotton market within the last two
weeks are believed to have been re-
sponsible for the failure of James II.
Havens, local broker and yachtsman,
missing since Saturday. A warrant
was eworn out against him to-day
charging embezzlement.
The amount involved is estimated
at S122,000. Havens was Bridgeport;
correspondent for A "A. Housman &
Co., 20 Broad street. New York.
Checks totaling $4,000. which Havens
made out to Houslnan & Co. 20 cover
margins, were protested.
Housman & Co., 1t is estimated, will
be creditor to the extent Of 100000,
with collateral for that amount.
The warrant charging embezzlement
was issued by Prosecutor Vincent l..
Heating or the specific complaint Of
Frank Z. Lalley, creditor 20 the ex-
tent OF $4,000, and Frederick C. Lal-
ley. creditor TO the extent of s21, 200.
a creditors meeting has been called
for Wednesday afternoon in the Office
of George +. Mara, attorney, repre-
senting several OF the creditors.
Hundred Storm once.
Havens is vice-coplmodore OF the
Pootatuck Yacht Club and owner OF one
OF the finest power yachts in this port.
His yacht disappeared from its moor
ing In the Housatonic River the latter
part of the week
The first hint his clients had that
Havens was In financial difficulties came
to-day, when they found his Office In
the Security Building deserted at the
time the Stock Market opened. Havens
nd his entire office force were missing
IL was learned that Havens had dis
missed his clerks and severed his con-
nection with Housnan and Company
Saturday. The office furniture and flt-
tings were placed under attachment inn
mediately and a deputy sheriff stationed
there
flee this afternoon. seeking information
az to his whereabouts and the condition
of their accounts. The only light they
received came In the form Of news from
New Haven that a petition In bankrupt
cy was filed in court to-day, giving
Hsvens's liabilities as Sl22,S50 and his
assets as $500.
Frederick Il. Lyden, representative oil
Housman & Co, arrived this afternoon
TO look after that FIRMS interest. Audi
tors will be brought In tomorrow TO go
over Havens's books TO determine the
exact amount of his alleged embezzle-
ment. Authorities were unable TO lo-
cate any member OF the missing brok-
er's family.
The warrant for Havenss arrest was
turned over TO Patrick J. Flanagan.
Superintendent OF Police, tonight. and
Sergeant John Clarity was assigned to
the case.
One OF the first things done was "a
open the safe in Havens's office. IL was
empty. IL was learned that Havens on
Saturday caused many OF his papers "a
be burned by the janltor In the building.
aTr. Mara, the attorney representing
creditors whose accounts with Havens
represent approximately $4,000, and
Thomas A. Finn. attorney reprcsenting
other creditors. said the fling of bank
ruptcy proceedings In the New Haven
court would have no effect on the crimi-
nal proceedings instituted against
Havens.
In the bankruptcy proceedings Hous-
man & Co. are cited as creditors to the
extenf Of $4,000.