In re Sterlingworth Ry. Supply Co.
In re Sterlingworth Ry. Supply Co.
Opinion of the Court
The Sterlingworth Railway Supply Company was adjudicated a bankrupt on November 4, 1908, and Frank W. Coolbaugh, wlio was appointed receiver two days later, presented a petition on the 16th day of November, J908, asking that a receiver’s sale of the bankrupt’s property, ordered by the court of common pleas of Northampton county, be restrained until the further order of this court. The state receiver v as appointed February 12, 1907, and lias conducted the business of the company, under the direction of the Northampton county court, since that time. The appointment was the result, as alleged in the bill filed for that purpose, of -
“a factional difference over the management of the corporation arising in the board of directors. * * * The board divided into two parties, each claiming a majority, and insisting upon the powers of the directorate, and claiming the control- and management ol' the business, property, and corporate affairs of the corporation: * * * that both parties * * * were attempting to carry on the business * * * to the great embarrassment, prejudice, and depreciation of the property,” etc.
From the time of the appointment almost continuously the parties were before the county court litigating questions in regard to the
There is nothing in the case but some ex parte affidavits to the effect that the property will probably bring more in the future. This, in my judgment, is far short of making a case where the interest of the general creditors will be jeopardized by the sale at the time set; and as this Receivership was created about one year and a half before the presentation of the petition in bankruptcy, and the property of the corporation at that time was taken into the custody of the state court, the management of the same should not be interfered with in any manner whatever. After the state receivership has been wound up, it will be the duty of the receiver in bankruptcy to receive from the state receiver whatever property belongs to the bankrupt’s estate, and until the final settlement and discharge of the state receiver it will be the duty of the bankrupt receiver to look after the interest of the bankrupt’s estate. Any action on his part in connection with the state receivership, which he deems advisable to be taken to. protect the interest of the bankrupt’s estate, will be authorized when it appears to .this court that it is á necessary and proper step to take; '
The motion' to stay the sale is therefore overruled.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- In re STERLINGWORTH RY. SUPPLY CO.
- Status
- Published
- Syllabus
- Bankruptcy (§ 217*)- — Ad-ministration op Estate--Sale ox? Property. Where, at; the time of an adjudication of bankruptcy against a corporation, its property had been for a year and a half under the control and management, of a receiver appointed by a state court, under its direct orders and superintendence, a sale of property previously ordered by such court for the purpose of closing the receivership, and which had been advertised at considerable expense, will not be stayed by the court of bankruptcy unless it is clearly shown that it will be detrimental to the interests of general creditors. [Ed. Note. — Eor oilier cases, see Bankruptcy, Dee. Dig. § 217.*]