Claims against the Defunct American Liberty Club: Suits for Cost of Furniture and Rent The affairs of the Liberty Club, a defunct organization started early in 1921 for the benefit of American ex-service men, were before his Honour Judge Lobingier at the U.
Court on Wednesday, upon claims for rent and club equipment, The plaintiffs were Messrs. Hall Holtz, who claimed $2,908 for furniture, ete., supplied, and the Russian Economic Society, on whose premises the club was opened, for Tis, 3,000, rent and taxes due on a three years' lease at a rental of Ts, 350 per month, Mr. J._B. Davies appeared for Messrs. Hall & Holtz, Mr. P. F. Paison for the" Russian Economic Society, and Mr. F. J. Schuhl (a former vice-president of the club) for the defendants.
HOW TO RUN A CLUB, Dr, 'T, B. Dunn, a member of the committee of the club, stated in answer to Mr. Davies, that he did not know what had become of club equipment. Although a member of the executive committee, he had never taken the trouble to find out. Witness went on to say that the whole trouble was due to the fact that the late Mr. Neville Craig (Marshal of the U. 8. Court) assumed authority, although officers were formally appointed. When the executive more or less backed out, he said: "I'll go ahead and show you what can be done." Witness did not think that plaintiffs, or any other firm who took an order in the way this one was taken from Mr, Craig, without inquiry as to the club or his authority to give the order, ought to be paid.
Mr. J. G. Wright, a member of the club, described preliminary meetings held in December, 1920, the-first of which was held in the-American Gaol. Craig ran the club, although officers were appointed. Witness never saw the furniture until the opening day. The club remained open for two or three months.
In answer to Mr. Schuhl, witness said he did not remember authority being given to anybody to Jease anything, nor did he know that Craig had been authorized to buy furniture. Two days before the opening, Craig told witness that he had signed a lease with the Russian - Economic Society, but he gave no idea that he had signed on behalf of the club.
aig himself paid the rent for the first month.
Aaron Shainin, one time acting treasurer of the club, stated that he knew nothing about the lease. The matter did not interest him at all and he never heard it discussed. He once gave-a cheque for rent to Mr. Jack Raynes, whom he was given to understand had taken charge. About $400 remained in the funds,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.