Berwind-White Coal Mining Co. v. Borinquen Sugar Co.

7 P.R. Fed. 513

• Court: District Court, D. Puerto Rico
• Decided: February 17, 1915
• Docket: No. 897
• Status: Published

Opinion

HaMiltoN, Judge,

delivered tbe following opinion:

Tbe receiver, through bis counsel, has in open court akked whether be would be authorized, in view of tbe apparent unrest in industrial conditions about tbe Island, to placard tbe Borin-quen property as being in Federal receivership.

1. Tbe court does not think it wise to indicate to tbe receiver any particular means of protecting tbe property in bis charge, but there can be no question that it is bis duty to protect it to tbe fullest extent. Placards have been used in tbe past, as during railroad riots in tbe United States. What is proper in particular cases is more a matter of administration than of law, and the receiver will use his own best judgment.

2. The question may be raised as to property which, by direction of the court, the receiver has leased to other parties, and is not operating by himself. In the mind of the court, however, there is no distinction. There is either an express clause in all leases that the receiver has the right of supervision and control so as to see that the lease and all orders of the court are complied with, or this is implied in all leases when not directy expressed. The receiver, that is to say the court, cannot contract himself out of his responsibility as receiver, and is bound to see that the property is properly cared for. A temporary lease is merely one means of preserving the property and does not change the fact that the corpus, if not the operation, remains under the supervision of the court.

3. It is not necessary at present to indicate in what form the receiver will be supported by the court. This would vary with particular circumstances. It is true, however, that the receiver will be supported in all proper means to avoid danger from fire, from violence on the part of anyone, whether employees or strangers, and in keeping off the property everyone who seeks to disturb the peace. If the receiver finds ordinary means of protection and his own efforts insufficient, on proper application the marshal and his deputies will be instructed to protect receivership property. Under § 187 of the Revised Statutes, Comp. Stat. 1913, § 1311, the marshal has '“power to command all necessary assistance in the execution of his duty.”

4. This is not to be understood as in the slightest prejudging any question in dispute between the receiver and his employees or any other person. It is meant simply to preserve the property. That is the first duty of the court and will be carried out in every way necessary. If any person, creditor, or employee has a claim against the receiver, or any dispute with him, upon application of such person to the court it will be fully heard and justice done. But the property in the custody of the court must not in the meantime be in any way disturbed, nor must the operation of mills or other property in the court’s custody be interfered with.

The receiver will act accordingly.