In re Pittsburgh Rys. Co.
In re Pittsburgh Rys. Co.
Opinion of the Court
This case is now before us on the petition of Jules Guggenheim, et al., wherein it is prayed that the Court make an order directing the Trustees to make a partial cash payment to the public security holders of the Pittsburgh Railways system, such payment to be on account of principal, to notify all such public security holders of such payment as is authorized, and that no payment is to be made to the Philadelphia Company, its affiliates and subsidiaries. On this petition the Court made an order that any objections to said petition raising questions of law or preliminary issues be set forth in answers and that such objections be heard by the Court on a date fixed.
Answers raising preliminary objections of law were made by W. D. George, Trustee, Philadelphia Company, Citizens Tractions Company Stockholders Committee and the City of Pittsburgh. The Securities and Exchange Commission did not file an answer but stated its position orally at the hearing in Court of the above matter. That statement .was to the effect that the Securities and Exchange Commission generally favors a distribution where there is a large amount of money on hand not needed for operation expenses. However, there are exceptions to the rule and this case was probably an exception by reason of the involved underlier system. Counsel reserved his opinion until hearings were held. The Philadelphia Company, in its answer, denied many of the averments contained in the petition. It opposed the granting of the petition by reason of the elimination of the claims of the Philadelphia Company. The Citizens Traction Company Stockholders Committee joined in the prayer of the petition. The City of Pittsburgh, in its answer, prayed for a denial of the petition and set forth that the City was a substantial creditor, that there were other substantial creditors, that the claims of creditors must be adjudicated before distribution and that an order on this petition would result in unnecessary litigation.
This is a proceeding to organize the Pittsburgh Railways Company, its subsidiary, the Pittsburgh Motor Coach Company and 49 underliers. This system involves transportation by railway and bus in the City of Pittsburgh and in surrounding country. All of the companies have stock and many of them have issued bonds and other indebtedness. The creditors include, not only bondholders, hut other creditors some of whose claims are substantial, such as the claim of the City of Pittsburgh.
The money in the Trustee’s hands which is not needed for operation should he distributed as soon as practicable to the persons entitled thereto. The names of such persons and the amount due each must first be ascertained. Such information is not now available. Distribution must he postponed until such information is available. Whenever any interested person has such information, he should furnish the same to the Trustee together with a legal basis upon which a distribution can be practically and legally made.
The petition should be dismissed without prejudice.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- In re PITTSBURGH RYS. CO.
- Status
- Published