Merrill

The plaintiff began this action against the above-named corporation, the directors as trustees thereof, and a number of stockholders, to recover the sum of $27,094.90, alleged to be due the plaintiff for and on account of services performed by him as architect in preparing plans, specifications, etc., for the erection of a proposed cotton mill at or near the city of Los Angeles, by the above-named corporation.

The complaint alleges that the Los Angeles Cotton Mills, Inc., a corporation, was incorporated under the laws of the state of Delaware, on or about the twenty-fourth day of July, 1923, and on August 14, 1923, was authorized to do business in the state of California; that on March 1, 1924, its right to do business in the state of California was suspended for failure to pay its license tax, and on March 17, 1926, it was dissolved by operation of law for failure to pay taxes in the state of Delaware; that at the time of the dissolution of the corporation and forfeiture of its charter, the defendants W. H. Whiteside, Edward M. Fowler, John B. Miller, Wm. Lacy, R. I. Rogers and Gurney Newlin were the- duly elected, qualified and acting directors of said corporation, and upon the…