Reading Hotel Corp. v. Protective Committee for First Mortgage Bondholders of Reading Hotel Corp.

Third Circuit

Reading Hotel Corp. v. Protective Committee for First Mortgage Bondholders of Reading Hotel Corp.

89 F.2d 53, 1937 U.S. App. LEXIS 3384

Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit·Decided March 17, 1937·No. 6190-6195·Published·Cited by 5 cases

Opinion

BUFFINGTON, Circuit Judge.

These appeals concern a reorganization plan of the- Reading Hotel Corporation which was recommended by a master and approved by the court below in an opinion which thoroughly discussed the questions involved. (D.C.) 15 F.Supp. 527. Reference to it avoids needless restatement by us.

The hotel property, owned by the corporation, was subject to a first and second mortgage which, with accrued interest, in default, and taxes, netted some $1,700,000, while the value of the property, with furniture added, was some $1,300,000. It is quite evident that the stockholders have no equity and the bondholders have a right to *54 foreclose and, in view of the case reported in Re Realty Foundation Co. (C.C.A.) 75 F.(2d) 286, that court can, by reorganization, transfer the property to the bondholders.

We recognize the fact that the hotel, under the admirable management of the appellant, has increased its gains steadily, and it may be that in the course of years such management might hereafter create an equity for the stockholders. But, in view of the fact that the mortgages are in default and the value of the property is several hundred thousand dollars less, the lienhold-ers should not be compelled to await the possible outcome of the property, nor should they be compelled to accept a plan based on a R. F. C. loan effected on a mortgage by it which would have priority over their existing mortgage lien.

Finding no error in the trial judge’s action, we affirm his order and adopt his opinion.

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BUFFINGTON, Circuit Judge.

These appeals concern a reorganization plan of the- Reading Hotel Corporation which was recommended by a master and approved by the court below in an opinion which thoroughly discussed the questions involved. (D.C.) 15 F.Supp. 527. Reference to it avoids needless restatement by us.

The hotel property, owned by the corporation, was subject to a first and second mortgage which, with accrued interest, in default, and taxes, netted some $1,700,000, while the value of the property, with furniture added, was some $1,300,000. It is quite evident that the stockholders have no equity and the bondholders have a right to *54 foreclose and, in view of the case reported in Re Realty Foundation Co. (C.C.A.) 75 F.(2d) 286, that court can, by reorganization, transfer the property to the bondholders.

We recognize the fact that the hotel, under the admirable management of the appellant, has increased its gains steadily, and it may be that in the course of years such management might hereafter create an equity for the stockholders. But, in view of the fact that the mortgages are in default and the value of the property is several hundred thousand dollars less, the lienhold-ers should not be compelled to await the possible outcome of the property, nor should they be compelled to accept a plan based on a R. F. C. loan effected on a mortgage by it which would have priority over their existing mortgage lien.

Finding no error in the trial judge’s action, we affirm his order and adopt his opinion.

Reading Hotel Corp. v. Protective Committee for First Mortgage Bondholders of Reading Hotel Corp., 89 F.2d 53, 1937 U.S. App. LEXIS 3384 (3d Cir. 1937).

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Opinion

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