New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-03-24
CONTROL OF JERSEY CENTRAL
WHAT Mr.. GOULD THINKS ABOUT IT.


MR. GowEN's CONFIDENCE PROBABLY NOT WELL
FoUNDED-THE POSITION OF MR.. VANDERBILT.
President Gowen. Of the Philadelphia and Read
ing Railroad, who has lately been making strenuous
efforts to gain control of the Central Rail-
road of New-Jersey, has been in New
York for the last two days. He returned to
Philadelphia yesterday afternoon. While here Mr..
Gowen asserted in the most positive manner that
he and his friends held the control absolutely;
that there had been no doubt of his success for
some tiIne but that they had BOUGHT lately still
moro of the stock and now held an absolute
majority Of it. Mr.. Gowen made these state
ments without any qualification, and it is under
stood that nc has made list of directors which he
submitted to his friends for their approval. Mr..
Gowen for some weeks has contemplated a trip to
Europe and has said to some of the pres
ent directors of the Jersey Central that
he would like to sail next week if he
could make some arrangements with the Board
regarding his control of the company. He has not
demanded the resignation of the directors, as
Robert Garrett, of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail
road, did few weeks ago, but he has intimated
that, in view of his control of he stock he wcnld
prefer to arrange matters before going to Europe.
1t is not understood that the directors have taken
action of any kind in regard to Mr. GOwens sugges-
tions On the contrary, they say that Mr. GOwen
must be mistaken about his strength in the COM
pany
1t was reported yesterday that Mr.. Gowen was
comforting with Mr. Gould, who is member of the
present Board, i'll regard to the affairs of the COM
pany. In reply to inquiries as to the truth of the
report Mr.. Gould said last evening:
Il have not seen Mr.. GOwen for two weeks at
least. l hardly think that he has obtained
control of the stock, although he appears
to be very confident. l really do
not know much about the matter At
the time of Judge LathrOp's death J do not know
that the directors of the company held majority
of the stock. | have not been around among them
much since that event. and / suppose it is possible
that some Of them may have sold part of their
stock. / really do not know, but hardly think it
probable that Mr.. Gowen has the control"
"The assurances he gives his friends are very
positive" it suggested.
THAT is not at all unlikely" Mr.. Gould replied
" but l really think Mr.. Gowen must be mistaken.
do not believe that the large stockholders
of the company are wiling to surrender
the management of their property to Mr.. Gowen.
Mr.. Potts holds largo amount of the stock, and
Mr.. Kcan must have $4,000 shares; Mr. Haven Is
another large holder. and | myself have respect
able amount. We desire that the management
should be for the best interests OF the
stockholders, and hope soon to see the
company on q sound, dividend-pavng basis.
certainly should not favor putting the
property under the mana cement of Mr.. Gowen. He
is a very good lawyer believe but certainly, if we
are TO Judge his ability as a railroad manager by his
career in Reading, he Is not great success 1t
would hardly be advisable for the Jersey Central
stockholders to place their property in the care OF
the president of bankrupt raiir3ad." = A.. vo,
derbi.t 7" the reporter asked.
:. That may be possible" Mr.. Gould answered
and that may be the reason of his conf
dcncc. Mr. Vanderbilt has bought large
amount of stock lately, l am very glad
in the road and have expressed to him the salts
faction feel. Mr.. yander3iits name would be
tower Of str myth it whould help the credit of the
company and enable it to make advantageous
loans with which to relieve it of its enbarrassmen
Yes. am exceedingly glad that Mr. Vanderbilt
or not he has promised his aid TO Mr.. Gowen,
really cannot say. From what | know of Mr. Van
dcrni.t, TANK him very careful about his invest
ments. He looks TO them lOr a return-tOr the III
come they will bring hIm.'
Is II probable That ne would give his support to
Mr.. Gowcn rather than 20 you = was asked.
Really, ! cannot say a out that so far as | am
concerned should not ask any one for his support,
but being IA member of the Board. / shall stand or
fail with II. If the stockholders wish me to give up
nv seat, shall do gladly for | nave my hands
full OF business now. sometimes think should like
t. give up business entirely. The care and
wOrTIment attending large business interests are
very great, but besides that fact the manner III
which motives are impugned aud characters assalled
is very unpleasant | Shall 90 ali 1 can IN helping
to restore pubic confidence. 1t Is q season OF the
wear when the business of the country depends
largely upon general confidence. From the spring
the business for the whole year takes It's cue, ana III
is for the interest of the whole county that now
there should be no lack OF confidence. he country
is prosper us and is growth marvellous. One has
TO be III active business all the time to keep track OF
the wonderful Improvement constantly gong on. 1t
is this wonderful growth of the country that Is
doing so much To dlscOncert the bears III Wall
Street; they do not seem to keep track Ot IT.