The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-02-07

judgments Of $40, 600, In
Guiding Cost Of Banquet. Is
Given Against Organization.

The Southern Commercial Con
gress, at one time one of the most
powerful organizations in exist
ence for the betternlent of the
South, is crashing to ruin through
inability to meet debts said to-
have been piled up against the
organization.
Entire Board Resigns. B
The entire membership of the.
board Of directors, shocked over
the alleged financial deficits In.
CURED by the congress-. has re-
signed, it is stated by Washington
men who were listed as directors.
Among directors of the organiza.
ton were the names OF many of.
the most prominent men in the
South including several members
of the United States Senate The
director general Is Glareiace . 4
Ovens.
iii is alleged taat iudhments now
staasdia1g Against the Congress fetal
more than 30 900 Incl1tdea among
the suits eaIiast the organ ti0n
ste two which have yheeia filed by
employees u the Headquarters In
Room SOL Southern building, Eff
tenth and III streets northwest, and
which have been set for 10 O'clock
Friday morning, at the Municipal
Court.
Adelaide M. Huguenin and 3. r.
Lanneau on january 26 filed affi-
davits and bills Of particulars
charging that the congress owed
them 1885 and $1S0.30 respective
~. The papers were served on
Owens Wednesday, according to the
records at the Municipal Court.
Among the judgments against the
congress is one said to have been
incurred at banquet in the Willard
Hotel March q, 1921. Many of the
social leaders in washington are
said to have attended this banquet,
for which, the Willard Hotel Conn
pany alleges, it has never been
paid.
Afte- waiting a year and half.
the Willard Hotel Company filed
action against the Southern CONNER
cial Congress. When Owens failed
to appear in court to defend the case,
Judgment was found in favor of the
hotel, by default, for the entire
amount asked, plus interest and
costs.
The hotel claimed that the con.
gress owed the sum of $S56.05, of
which but 800 was recovered,
through an attachment issued De-
cember IA, 1921.
The rentals on the offices of the
Congress have been allowed to lapse,
1t is alleged, and a judgment of $3.50
for rentals, with interest from May
II, 1921, was secured by the Fidelity
and Deposit Company of Maryland,
which stood surety on the bond for
the rent.
The deposit company, which
brought action against the congress
and Owen jointly, was represented
by Edmund Brady, of Hamilton &
Hamilton, of this city. Judgement
was rendered August II. 1921. &C
cording to the files in the courthouse.
Directors of the congress, 1t is
claimed, We're not informed of the
financial condition of the organiza-
ton until last December. At a meet
ing attended by several of the d.
rectors, including Senator Duncan u.
Fletcher of Florida, Senator Joseph
e. Ransdell of Louisiana and John
Fl. Small, former member of Con-
gress, now engaged in the practice
of law in Washington, former off,
Ger Of the congress, 1t is said. in
formed the gathering of the debts
incurred by the body. which at that
time. it was alleged, amounted to
$4,000.
Owens Absent in Mexico.
AS Owens was at that time in
Mexico on a mission for the con-
gress, a meeting of the directors was
called early last month, two days
after the date set for his return,
and it was planned to demand from
him a complete statement regarding
the financial obligations of the body.
Owens, it is said, succeeded, upon his
return. in securing a postponement
of the meeting. which has not yet
been held. In the meantime the last
of the directors renowned all con-
nection with the congress, it is
stated
Small, when questioned concern
ing the matter. declared that he had
had no inkling of any financial diff
ficulties facing the congress until
the December meeting. He declared
that it had been a deep shock to-
him and to the others who were
present to learn of the alleged short
ages of the congress.
He said that he had never assumed
an active part in the conduct of the
congress and that he had never been
informed Of any regular meetings
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