In re Saxton Furnace Co.

136 F. 697, 1905 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 266

• Court: District Court, E.D. Pennsylvania
• Decided: March 27, 1905
• Docket: No. 1,837
• Status: Published

Opinion

J. B. McPHERSON, District Judge.

I do not see how the proposed •order of sale can be supported. The creditors who hold the furnace company’s bonds have a right, under the mortgage, to use them in payment of the purchase money if the property shall be sold by a judicial sale, and of this right they should not be deprived if their title is unimpeachable. If the trustee disputes their right to retain the bonds, averring that they have received a preference, it would seem to be his duty to obtain a judicial decision of the question, even at the cost of delay and inconvenience.

Moreover, the record should show affirmatively that every creditor whose lien will be discharged by the sale has received notice of the trustee’s application to sell. The referee’s general statement that such notice “was given to each and every general creditor and lien creditor” is obviously insufficient. No doubt, this is his opinion, and it may be true; but his record must show the facts by which other persons can verify the correctness of his statement.

If the present is a favorable time for the sale of such property as furnaces and rolling mills, I regret the inevitable postponement, but the defects in the proceedings are fundamental, and can only be cured by the consent of the parties whose rights are involved. But as they must all desire to be paid, and paid speedily, I trust they may see their way to an agreement that may advance their interests. Otherwise there seems to be no escape from the necessity to determine first of all who are the lawful holders of the bonds.

The order is set aside.