New Britain herald., 1927-09-15
I50 TOBACCO MEN
 AT ASSN. HEARING
Dissolution Suit Opens Today in
 Hartford County Court
PRESIDENT ALS0P TESTIFIES
Organization Having Over 100 Mcm- hers in Life-Test as 100 Signcrs First for it's Abolition-Annual Meeting Omitted This Year.

Hartford, Sept. 15.-tPl-Tohacco men from the northern and eastern sections of Hartford county crowded into the Superior court room today in attendance upon hearing sched = uled before Judge Newell Jennings on the application Of "Ouc-'Nen tieth" of the membership of inc Connecticut Valley Tobacco Assocl- atiou. Inc. for court decree dis solving the association and the ap- pointment of temporary and per mancnt receiver 10 wind up its af- fairs.
 The gathering was in the criminal court room as it affords more seat ing capacity for the four hundred signers of the petition, Of whom some 150 were present at the open ing Of the proceedings.
 The case is entitled Richard r. Jones of South Windsor, ct al, against the Connecticut Valley To- bacco Association Inc. and is brought to court on the affidavit of Louis l. Grant Of Manchester, George w. Smith of Glastonbury, and Frank Rival of East Hartford,
 At inc outset today Judge Jen- nincs had a conference in chambers with the attorneys. President Joseph W. Alsop ana Vice President Levi r. Morton Hickey of the association were consulted briefly by Mir. Cole during pause in tine conference with the iUdgO. Judge Jennings, on taking the bench. announced that the conference had succeeded par tially in narrowing the issues. It was admitted that no annual meet ing of the association was held in June.
 Mr. il>Op Testifics
 Nr. AlSop was put on the stand annual meeting in June. There are over four thousand members. re- siding in sixty towns. Few of them attended the annual meeting at any time. hut verbal reply of the fi- nances had usually been made at a summer outing. which was usually well attended. Reports had also been printed in the publication, the Con nocticut Valley Tobacco Grower,
 Mir. Alsop said in the February. 1927 isue of The Grower, a finau- cial statement was published and also a statement Of policy in the same issue. This was the last finan- cial statement sent to the individual growers.
 Since then reports of the meetings Of the executive committee have hccn furnished 10 the direct ors, along with monthly balance sheets, and any member could have gotten it from his director.
 As to members own account. nothing could be learned from the balance sheet but any member would he furnished his own account at the office.
 Publication Of "The Grower" was discontinued last March as a matter Of economy. Mr. Shipman asked if annual reports were made to mcm- bcrs at the outings, Mir. Alsop said verbal reports were. but admitted no annual statement had been made this year
 Planned Annual Report
 In reply 10 the judge, Mir. Alsop said the directors were intending ia make an annual report of the fiscal year from September i. 1926 tc September 1, 1927.
 O. D. Rhodes of Springfield, Mass. attorney for the Federal Land Bank was introduced 10 Judge Jennings and allowed to participate In the proceedings.
 Secretary and Treasurer Arthur r.. Nelson of the association was called to the stand and testified to the amount of tobacco on hand.