New-York tribune., 1871-12-20
ANTI-ERIE COMBINATIONS.

THE AMERICAN STOCKHOLDERS ORGANIZED
TIE ROBBERS TO BE ATTACKED FROM
THREE DIFFERENT POINTS-A LAST EFFORr
TO FREAK TIE COKRUPT RING.
There are now three distinct organizations
for the nvowcd purpose Of securing change In the
management Of the Erie Ralroad-vz.. tho Heath and
Raphael party tho Atlantic and Great Western ami
sckcs combination, and tho Ant-Ring American stock
holders TRrUNF readers already familiar with the
frst-namcd, TIE TRIBUNE having published all that ia
dclnvclv known concerning tho second. We give to-
day history OF the third, the dstinctivcy American,
combination.
During the past three years several attempts havo
been made thc pres mt managers Of the Eric Ra
10 bing them istlcr and Ogc them to account for
the proceeds Of the road All of these efforts have failed
Tho uanacrrs gained their power by increasing the
stock from s?joOO) to s5sOoo the stock being issued
in the OF brokers identified with their interests.
The bulk Of this stock IL still registered to great extent
In the names Of these brokers in the Office OF the COM
pany 1t has never been transferred to tho rgl:ful own
c because the Company have kept their transfer book
for the Of their friends. When stock Is left to be
transferred placed In the hands OF the Of
the road aud the hold OF the stock is not furnished
certificate or even n receipt until tho next day
or the second day. This makes 1t necessary
for the holder OF stock to trust to tho
honesty OF tho management or tho efficiency OF
its arizurr When the representatives Of the English
holders Mcssrs Heath and Raphael attempted to trans
fer some shares two years the managers of
the road with the assistance OF State court seized the
stock aud TO 1t has been the subject OF expcn-
sivc Iii Hou This action has frightened other stock
holders They have afraid to transfer their stock
from want OF confidence in the officers OF the road.
Hence the parties in power have kept the road In
their control by voting on this stock as 1t stands
on their hooks in tho names o: their friendly
brokers. For instance, man holding 100 shares
OF stock in the name these broicrs fears to have 1t
transferred to his name, and consequently these
brokers are enabled to upon at every election
The urescI organization OF American Stockholders
originated somo Two years ago by large number Of
stockholders opposed TO the present management and
has continued to this tlmo with varying success.
Recently the organization has shown signs OF increased
vitality, and pushing their work with confident an
tcpai on Of early meeting was lately held
at DcmonlcO's, which well attended, representing
large amount Of stock. and entirely unanimous In
its action. a committee was appointed TO confer
with such holders OF the Erie Railway Company stock as
This C"r,ifec consists OF W. b. Clerk. !of the frm OF
OF REUBEN Manley Co.'S BrcnlWayI and A. M p VII.
liama (of A. D. Williams Co., 20 Mastl Mr.; Clerk Is
Maniey and williams governors Of the same, and one
result the movement will be to assure stockh1lders
thai The ExcGance sympathizes with them in their en-
and will doubtless lend Its influence for
As 'tated yesterday the response to the call OF the
Committee has been much larger than was anticipated
and the territory represented Is constantly widening Us
the advertisement extended No charge or tax OF any
Kind will be made Ivy this Committee to stockhOlders
and Il IA emnently desirable that every owner Of stock
who s opposed the present manaEemen should ron.
fer with the Committee. While 1t would not I've prudent
to make known all the plans OF the Committee, It IL safe
to say that effort win be made ct the coming session
of the t;cnera Assembly 10 repeal the Classification
act and in the Of those roads whose directors
have classified, that their terms Of office shall all
xn,re i'm six months the date Of repeal and
reon be held by order Of and under ne nspeeion o ne
live around the act Of transferring stock
While this combination Is entirely distinct iron the
others the fact that Mr.. John Swami, who represents
The Encsh holders Of the Heath aud Raphael party was
nresent at the recent meeting OF the COMMITTEE and
onourrcd In s action Indicates that tho forces OF the
two parties could readily 1 combined II such action
shoulI become necessary fOr the contamination OF the
desired object.