An essay is presented on the decision-making capabilities of Judge Frank Easterbrook on matters concerning bankruptcy in the U.S. The author compares the ruling of Easterbrook and a bankruptcy judge from the Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit on the Kmart Corp. controversy. He makes a formula presentation of Easterbrook's critical-vendor motion. He discusses the Kmart problem and its relevance to railroad receiverships of the 19th century.