Blum v. Fleishhacker

21 F. Supp. 527, 1937 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 1216
CourtDistrict Court, N.D. California
DecidedDecember 6, 1937
Docket3800-S
StatusPublished
Cited by9 cases

This text of 21 F. Supp. 527 (Blum v. Fleishhacker) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, N.D. California primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Blum v. Fleishhacker, 21 F. Supp. 527, 1937 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 1216 (N.D. Cal. 1937).

Opinion

ST. SURE, District Judge.

Plaintiffs,'citizens and residents of the republic of France, as stockholders of the Anglo-California Bank of San Francisco, a national banking association (hereinafter referred to as the Anglo Bank), brought this suit to recover for the bank secret profits received by its president, Herbert Fleishhacker, in a business venture with L. B. Barde and J. N. Barde. Plaintiffs are members of the Lazard and Cahn families, owners of the international banking house of Lazard Freres et Cie. The Lazard family was one of the founders of what is now the Anglo Bank. After the Lazards withdrew from the banking business in California, they were represented here by the Anglo Bank. Defendants Victor Klinker, Harry Thompson, and Palo Alto Stock Farms, Inc., sued with Herbert Fleishhacker and the Anglo Bank, were “dummies” holding stock for Herbert Fleishhacker in the Barde Steel Products. Company, a corporation, the outgrowth of the partnership agreement between the Bardes and Herbert Fleishhacker involved herein.

At all times mentioned- in the bill of complaint Herbert Fleishhacker was the president and chief executive officer of the Anglo Bank, receiving an annual salary of $50,000.

In 1919 the United States Shipping Board Emergency Fleet Corporation called for bids for the purchase of surplus steel of the value of about $40,000,000 owned by the government. L. B. Barde and J. N. Barde of M. Barde & Sons, Inc., believing there would be a profit in the purchase and resale of such a large quantity of steel, wished to bid. Approximately $1,000,000 would be needed “to launch the enterprise.” A bidder required $250,000 to qualify his bid. Of the $1,000,000 needed the sum of *529 $400,000 (including the $250,000 for qualification) would have to be deposited with the government as a guaranty fund, and in addition $500,000 in cash or surety bond for faithful performance. The remaining $100,000 would be for operating capital of the “enterprise.”

M. Barde & Sons, Inc., had theretofore had an account and credit with the Anglo Bank, and once borrowed from it $111,000 on unsecured notes. The relations between the Bardes and Herbert Fleishhacker were friendly, and L. B. Barde had married Fleishhacker’s cousin.

The Bardes were financially unable to-promote the steel deal alone. L. B. Barde broached the matter to Herbert Fleishhacker and inyited him to join in the proposed enterprise. Fleishhacker agreed to become an equal partner (on a basis of one-half to him and one-half to the two Bardes) if investigation convinced him the deal would be profitable. Up to this time it had not been suggested to Herbert Fleishhacker that it would be necessary for the Bardes to borrow money from the bank. “They agreed to put up a half million dollars if necessary and required,” testified Herbert Fleishhacker, “and I agreed to put up $500,000 either in cash or in security, or a bond, if the Shipping Board would accept a bond.” L. B. Barde went East to “make a thorough investigation” and report thereon to Flerbert Fleishhacker, who also made an independent investigation.

After full investigation Herbert Fleishhacker agreed to become a partner in the deal. “When it came to putting up the money,” testified Herbert Fleishhacker, “they asked me if they could borrow, if the firm of M. Barde & Sons could borrow some money from the bank.” Fleishhacker further testified that he told the Bardes some time prior to December 16th that $250,000 could be' borrowed. This $250,-000 was required for deposit with the bid for the steel to be purchased. On December 16, 1919, J. N. Barde wrote to Herbert Fleishhacker as follows:

“In accordance with your wishes regarding Eastern Deal, writer is enclosing note in the sum of $250,000.00 payable on demand and has instructed Mr. L. B. Barde, now in New York, to see the Guarantee Trust Company and do likewise.
“Hoping we have complied satisfactorily to your wishes in the matter, we are,
“Very truly yours.”

This initial $250,000 was procured from the funds of the Anglo Bank on December 19, 1919, on the above-mentioned note, dated December 16, 1919, executed by M. Barde &• Sons, Inc., indorsed by J. N. Barde. In addition to the note, the Bardes delivered to the Anglo Bank as collateral security for the loan United States Liberty bonds of the value of $200,000 or more. Herbert Fleishhacker knew the money was being borrowed for the purpose of qualifying the bid. He recommended to the bank the granting of the loan. He knew that the money was sent to L. B. Barde in the East and used as a deposit on the bid for the steel. The Anglo parted with the money on December 19, 1919, and on that date J. N. Barde wired Herbert Fleishhacker from Portland, Or., as follows:

“Herbert Fleishhacker
“President Anglo and London Paris National Bank or St. Francis Hotel San Francisco Calif
“Just received following wire from L. B. Barde Pennsylvania Plotel New York Wire received Arrangements suggested satisfactory to me Arrange with Herbert for additional credit here of two hundred fifty thousand covering one hundred fifty thousahd balance payable on signing of contract and one hundred thousand dollar working capital Tell Herbert I have asked Parker to act as his representative on trade stop Writer will be with you Sunday morning and advise with you and listen to your suggestions relative to handling this deal
“Jack”

J. N. Barde came to San Francisco on Sunday, December 21, 1919, pursuant to the telegram, and had an interview with Herbert Fleishhacker. . On that date notes were signed to procure an additional $250,-000, one note to the Anglo Bank for $75,-000 (on a printed form of an Oakland bank with the name of the Anglo inserted as payee), and one note to the Central Bank of Oakland for $175,000. Both notes were signed M. Barde & Sons, Inc., per J. N. Barde and indorsed by J. N. Barde. Herbert Fleishhacker guaranteed the note to the Oakland bank. This $250,000 was advanced on December 22d and was deposited on December 23d in New York to the credit of L. B. Barde. Thereafter, on December 24, 1919, formal approval of the loans granted by the Anglo was made by the finance committee of the bank of which Mortimer Fleishhacker, brother of Her *530 bert, was chairman. The other members of the committee were Herbert Fleishhacker, J. J. Mack, and Sigmund Stern, the last two named since deceased. The report was signed by Mortimer Fleishhacker, J. J. Mack, and Sigmund Stern. From the records of the bank there was produced at the trial a financial statement of M. Barde & Sons, Inc., for the purpose of securing credit. It is dated December 23, 1919, and shows the total assets of the firm to be $750,000 with no liabilities stated. No showing was made that the loans were ever approved by the board of directors (seventeen in number) of the bank.

A corporation named the Barde Steel Products Company was organized on January 6, 1920, to manage the enterprise. On January 8, 1920, the directors of the company authorized the issuance to L. B.

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
21 F. Supp. 527, 1937 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 1216, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/blum-v-fleishhacker-cand-1937.