Ochoa y Hermano v. Otero y Hermano
Ochoa y Hermano v. Otero y Hermano
Opinion of the Court
delivered tie following opinion:
This is a case of involuntary bankruptcy, the petition having been filed on July 9, 1921, on behalf of J. Ochoa & Brother, also on behalf of Sariega & Fernández, and also on behalf of the Successor to E. Ortega & Co. The petition sets forth that there
In view of the fact that the petitioners voluntarily during the hearing dismissed their petition as against Casimiro Otero, and due to the further fact that there was no proof submitted that José Otero was a member of the firm, there remain for decision two questions; first, whether the partnership comprising Andrés and Casimiro should be declared bankrupt by reason of the alleged acts of insolvency committed by Andrés Otero; and second, whether Andrés Otero as an individual should be declared a bankrupt.
The answer was filed on July 21, 1921, and is on behalf of Andrés and Casimiro only, is verified by them both, sets forth that the partnership comprises Andrés and Casimiro only, aud said answer is in the form of a general denial, it being very short and is merely to the effect that they and each of them deny that they or either of them ever committed the acts of bankruptcy set forth in the petition, and they aver that they should not be declared bankrupt for any cause in said petition alleged. .
One of the defenses urged strenuously by Andrés Otero during the hearing was based upon the claim by him made that he
There have been heard in this case many witnesses, and the view that I take of this case does not require that T set forth at length any of the testimony except that of Andrés Otero himself, in connection with the testimony of liis brother Casimiro. It is admitted that the only books of account of the firm which either brother was able to produce during the hearing were books which had been prepared by an expert accountant, employed by Andrés only, and that Casimiro never had seen these books until he was called as a witness. It further appeared from the testimony of Andrés himself that with respect to two of the principal agricultural properties which had 'been owned by himj one was operated by a third brother upon a salary basis, and the other was operated by a fourth brother upon the basis
Before rendering this decision, I have carefully considered ten cases, all in the Federal Reporter, which were relied upon by counsel for Andres Otero and which said counsel very skilfully urged should control the decision of this court so that the same would be a dismissal of the petition. These ten cases are found in Mather v. Coe, 92 Fed. 333; Re Pilger, 118 Fed. 206; Wulbern v. Drake, 56 C. C. A. 643, 120 Fed. 493; Couts v. Townsend, 126 Fed. 249; Rise v. Bordner, 140 Fed. 566; Flickinger v. First Nat. Bank, 76 C. C. A. 132, 145 Fed. 162; Hartman v. Peters, 146 Fed. 82; Goodlander-Robertson Lumber Co. v. Atwood, 82 C. C. A. 109, 152 Fed. 978; Mills v. Fisher, 16 L.R.A.(N.S.) 656, 87 C. C. A. 81, 159 Fed. 897; and Re Stovall Grocery Co. 161 Fed. 882. I do not deem it necessary to enter into a long analysis of each of these ten cases. It is sufficient to say that I do not find in any one of these ten cases any situation approaching similarity to the facts as shown in the present case so that I would be justified -in dismissing the petition. The decision that impressed me most among the ten above cited was the case of Wulbern v. Drake, reported in 56 C. C. A. 643, 120 Fed. 493. We find here that the alleged bankrupt was entirely engaged in farming except that he eon-
Reference
- Full Case Name
- J. OCHOA Y HERMANO, SARIEGA & FERNÁNDEZ, AND SUCESORES DE F. ORTEGA Y COMPAÑIA, Plffs v. A. OTERO Y HERMANO, Dft.
- Status
- Published