The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-19
"ONLY A NOMINAL PRESIDENT"
ME- HARRIS ELECTION TO THE HIGHEST POSI-
TON IN THE MANHATTAN COMPANY MERELY

Mr. HARRIS ELECTION TO THE HIGHEST POSI-
TON IN THE MANHATTAN COMPANY MERELY
TEMPoRAIY-wAs IT A COMPROMISE?
1t will be remembered that last summer the
HERALD foretold possible struggle for supremacy
in the directory of the Manhattan or Consolidated
IL" hallway Company between Mr.. Field and Mr..
Garrison. and it will also be remembered that.
cording to admissions statements made to
HERALD reporter at that time by different officers of
the company. the advantage in any such struggle II
should occur was supposed to lie with Mr.. Gar
rison, since the Loan and Improvement Company.
controlling the Metropolitan 81 Railroad controlled
more than onehalf of the consolidation. or in other
words. held more than one-half of the Manhattan
stock This fact resulted from the Loan and Improve
ment Company having held in "block' the 81. 900
shares of Manhattan awarded to the Metropolitan In
the formation of the pool and from the purchase in
open market of q few additional shares by certain
directors of the Loan and Improvement Company.
1t was. therefore. supposed and openly said the
street that Mr. Field and his party of the New York
IL" Company would receive no consideration be-
yond one of courtesy or indulgence in the Novem-
Der election of officers Of the Manhattan Company.
since the balance Of power lay in the hands of the
gentlemen interested in the Metropolitan Company.
and presumably attached to the Garrison interest.
NO SMALL SURPRISE.
In the face OF these facts 1t was matter OF no
small surprise that at the election Monday
Mr.. Garrison was not reelected to the presi-
dency Of the Manhattan Company. Since the
65 600 shares or one-half the stock is still
the treasury of the Loan and Improvement
Company. and at least tie vote was thus
the election Of Mr.. Robert Harris to the
presidency gave rise TO all sorts OF rumors. Among
the tod t with sae most ion wns
Improvement Company had failed to cast his 65 600
votes tor Mr.. GARRISON as it was expected he would
do and that lie was inclined to vote III Mr.. Fields
interest. Another story. which credited by
many, was to the effect that properly quail
fed willing to hold the Office, Mr. Garrison least
Of ALL Mr.. Harris election. it was generally under
Stood merely temporary makesbitt, and the
probability of q new election was generally me ted
Mr.. Garrison could not be found yesterday either
the Office of the Manhattan Railway Company at
his own office in Bowling Green where reporter
in the performance of his duty as general manager
Of the New YORK, Lake Erie and Western Railway
Company formerly known as the Erie Railway Com
pany. He smiled pleasantly when he asked if
his election to the presidency of the Manhattan in
place of Mr.. Garrison would mark any change in the
"Not at all" he said. 1.-THE real meaning of the
change is indicated by the names the rest of the
ticket. Mr.. Winslow, the new first vice president
and general manager Of the company will be practi
caily the president. am too thoroughly occupied
with the duties OF my position here to pay the atten
ton required to the affairs of the Manhattan Com
pany. am chained here and can't get away, and
Mr.. Winslow will take charge Of the business. or
course suppose he will come down here and con-
suit when he thinks 1t is necessary. but aside
from that am only nominal president
'Are you q heavy stakeholder in the elevated
roads?" asked the reporter.
"No. oh, no." replied Mr. Harris. with another
smile.
'It is said openly that your election was only
temporary one. Is that true?' asked the reporter.
Eyes; l am ready to retire gracefully whenever
the gentlemen Of the Board OF Directors are ready
to elect anybody else.
It is also said. persisted the reporter that your
election was the result of sort OF compromise in
the contest between Mr.. Field and Mr.. Garrison.
What is the truth in regard TO that?"
II really cannot reply to that question" said Mr..
Harris. 1T would manfestly be in bad taste for me
to talk on the subject. The best way to get infor-
nation about that would be to interview some of
the other gentlemen on the Board Of Directors.
They will probably tell you about it,"
Mr.. FIELD SAYS.
But the reporter was unable to obtain any official
information in regard to the matter excepting
Mr.. Field who said that all the other directors
sides Mr. Harris occupied by their interest in
other enterprises that they unable to I'LL the
position Of president OF the Manhattan Company
satisfactorily. This was especially true Of Mr.. Gar
rison, who retires from the place. He has his
fathers interests to manage in addition to his
business, and. Mr.. Field supposed, did feel
able undertake the duties Of president longer
General c. +. Winslow, who it is expected will be
the president is the president Of the Buriing-
road lately been leased to the Chicago and Rock
Island Railroad and 1t Is expected that he will attend
chiefly to elevated railroad matters in the future.
The other officers elected as announced yesterday.
are N. Guiford, second vice president; +. K. Wor-
cester. secretary. and John 4. Body, treasurer.