O'Brien v. Ely

PER CURIAM. On December 21, 1909, a petition in involuntary bankruptcy was filed against “the Ferro Concrete Contracting Company, a New York corporation-, and! on another petition filed the same day Max Ely was appointed receiver, and he gave bond in the sum of $15,000. January 15, 1910, the Ferro Concrete Contracting Company filed an answer, denying all allegations of the petition to have it adjudged a bankrupt, and praying a dismissal of the same. October 15, 1910, P. H. O’Brien filed a petition in the case, claiming that the receiver, M. Ely, was indebted to him in the sum of $1,382.34 for work on a certain cement house as per agreement. January 10, 1911, Max Ely, receiver, answered, denying indebtedness to said O’Brien beyond the amount of $153.43, which last sum he admitted. January 13th, the court entered an order as follows: “This cause coming on to be beard on the petition of P.. H. O’Brien, praying an order directing Max Ely, as receiver herein, to pay to him the sum of one thousand three hundred and eighty-two and 3Vioo dollars ($1,882.34), and the answer thereto of said Max Ely, as such receiver, admitting that he, as such receiver, is indebted to said P. H. O’Brien in the sum of one hundred and fifty-three and 43/ioo dollars ($153.48), and same being duly considered by the court, the court is of opinion that said receiver should pay to said P. H. O’Brien said sum of $153.43. It is therefore ordered and decreed by the court that said Max Ely, as such receiver, pay to said P. II. O’Brien said sum of one hundred and fifty-three and ¿Vioo dollars ($153.-43). However, this order is made without prejudice to the right of said O’Brien to take such legal action to recover his full claim as he may be advised is necessary iu the premises.” [65] And on same day entered another order as follows: “In. the Matter of Ferro Concrete Contracting Company. No. 797. In Bankruptcy. It is ordered by the court that this proceeding be and the same is hereby dismissed out of court at the cost of the petitioning creditors, Southern Grocery Gompany, J. C. Webb & Sons, and Marengo Hardware & Furniture Company, for want of prosecution.” This appeal is from both orders entered on January 13, 1911. The rejection of charges against a receiver in bankruptcy for expenses incurred under receiver’s orders or contracts looking to the care or preservation of the bankrupt estate is within the discretion of the bankruptcy court, and no appeal lies therefrom under the bankruptcy law. Taking the order dismissing the proceedings against the Ferro Concrete Contracting Company as practically a decree refusing to adjudicate said company a bankrupt, and as such appealable, we find no error in the same, even if the appellant has an interest therein entitling him to appeal therefrom. Affirmed.