Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 60 Part 1.djvu/441

 PUBLIC LAWS-CH. 532-JULY 1, 1946 Acceptance of plan. Attorney's compen- sation. Examination to as- certain existing prac- tice. Adjudication of is- sue, etc. Findings and con- clusions. Changes and modi- fications of plan. or to extend the period thereof for one additional period of not exceeding sixty days, upon good cause shown. "(d) The plan of composition shall not be confirmed until it has been accepted in writing, by or on behalf of creditors holding at least two-thirds of the aggregate amount of claims of all classes affected by such plan and which have been admitted by the petitioner or allowed by the judge, but excluding claims owned, held, or controlled by the petitioner: Provided,however, That it shall not be requisite to the con- firmation of the plan that there be such acceptance by any creditor or class of creditors (a) whose claims are not affected by the plan; or (b) if the plan makes provision for the payment of their claims in cash in full; or (c) if provision is made in the plan for the protection of the interests, claims, or lien of such creditors or class of creditors. "(e) Before concluding the hearing, the judge shall carefully examine all of the contracts, proposals, acceptances, deposit agreements, and all other papers relating to the plan, specifically for the purpose of ascertaining if the fiscal agent, attorney, or other person, firm, or corporation promoting the composition, or doing anything of such a nature, has been or is to be compensated, directly or indirectly, by both the petitioner and the creditors thereof, or any of such creditors- either by fee, commission, or other similar payment, or by transfer or exchange of bonds or other evidence of indebtedness whereby a profit could accrue-and shall take evidence under oath to make certain whether or not any such practice obtains or might obtain. "After such examination the judge shall make an adjudication of this issue, as a separate part of his interlocutory decree, and if it be found that any such practice exists, he shall forthwith dismiss the pro- ceeding and tax all of the costs against such fiscal agent, attorney, or other person, firm, or corporation promoting the composition, or doing anything of such a nature, or against the petitioner, unless such plan be modified within the time to be allowed by the judge so as to eliminate the possibility of any such practice, in which event the judge may proceed to further consideration of the confirmation of the plan. If it be found that no such practice exists, then the judge may proceed to further consideration of the confirmation of the plan. "At the conclusion of the hearing, the judge shall make written findings of fact and his conclusions of law thereon, and shall enter an interlocutory decree confirming the plan if he finds and is satisfied that (1) it is fair, equitable, and for the best interests of the creditors and does not discriminate unfairly in favor of any creditor or class of creditors; (2) complies with the provisions of this chapter; (3) has been accepted and approved as required by the provisions of sub- division (d) of this section; (4) all amounts to be paid by the petitioner for services or expenses incident to the composition have been fully disclosed and are reasonable; (5) the offer of the plan and its accept- ance are in good faith; and (6) the petitioner is authorized by law to take all action necessary to be taken by it to carry out the plan. If not so satisfied, the judge shall enter an order dismissing the pro- ceeding. No case shall be reversed or remanded for want of specific or detailed findings unless it is found that the evidence is insufficient to support one or more of the general findings required in this section. "Before a plan is confirmed, changes and modifications may be made therein with the approval of the judge after hearing upon such notice to creditors as the judge may direct, subject to the right of any creditor who shall previously have accepted the plan to withdraw his acceptance, within a period to be fixed by the judge and after such notice as the judge may direct, if, in the opinion of the judge, the change or modi- fication will be materially adverse to the interest of such creditor, and if any creditor having such right of withdrawal shall not withdraw 414 [60 STAT.

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