The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-03-21
Arrow INTHE GOULDCAMP.
SMOKE OF DENUNCIATIoN AND
BLAzE5 OF THREATENING APPEAR.
All the Result of the Meetings of the
directors of the Missouri Pacific
System in Which Dividend Reduc-
ton Was Spoken or


New York, March 20.--The Times this
morning publishes the following interest
ing tale:
There is a lively row in the Gould
camps not little row. but big one, a
row where names are being called and
threats INDUCED in. Well may the inter-
ested and involved persons fill the tele-
graph wires with urgent solicitations to
Jay Gould to hurry home. II was at the
meeting Of the Missouri Pacific railway di-
rectors, held a week ago today, that this
delectable how d we do broke out. 1t was
rather hot at the start. but day by day it
has grown hotter and hotter, till now the
air in all the Gould headquarters is loaded
down with the smoke OF denunciations
and the blazes Of threatenings This was
the way 1t came about Wall street has
been filled with reports, dated back long
time, that the Missouri Pacific dividend
was about to be materially reduced. Peo-
pie who pose as insiders have tried to
pooh pooh these rumors down, but pooh
pooling would not work, and the belief
has grown continually stronger that the
reports OF prospective reductions were true.
Yesterday out came the annual reports OF
the roads in the Gould Southwestern sys-
tenn, making it pretty plain by their
wretched showing that, reduced dividends
or not, there are lots OF causes for worri-
ment among stockholders.
This report in detail was before the
meeting Of directors at last Tuesdays
meeting, and it was good deal OF surprise
to some OF those present. But astonishS
ment at the bad showing did not prevent
q prompt motion from one OF the directors
TO declare the usual dividend at the rate OF
per cent. George W. Gould objected.
The dividend ought to be reduced, he
said. Russell Sage insisted on the mo-
| tons passage. Young Mr.. Gould was not
to be put down. The motion was laid ON
| the table. Gould, jr., was triumphant
for the tme-it being finally agreed TO let
flag OF truce stand staked till Jay Gould
himself should be heard from.
Ever since the contingent, anxious TO
have the dividend paid, have been keep
ing the Western Union telegraph wires hot
between here and Florida, urging jay
Gould TO hasten home 10 protect his prop
critics, TO keep faith with stockholders and
10 discipline his son. The son, meantime,
has taken palace car and betaken him
self in person TO Florida. Telegrams are
all well enough in their way, but chat
between father and son, face to face. is
likely TO have more influence upon the
Missouri Pacific magnate than the 400
words OF protest aud cntrcaty that Russell
Sage sent Ton a pass over the telegraph
wires yesterday. Say those who are dis
pleased with Geo. Gould's determined
stand for reduction Of the dividend; ole
has lately been specializing on the bear
side OF the stock market. lie has sold
short his fathers securities, and hc needs
a reduction in the Missouri Pacific divi.
dend to help him get out even"
These charges against young Mr.. Gould
are followed with the naming Of the stock
brokers offices where he Is declared TO
have made his short contracts.
Another iniimation Is abroad that has II
that Georg,. Gould has partner in his
bear speculation, that partner being his
younger brother, known to Wall street
lame ~ "Bad BOY Eddie" There is
nothing particularly novel in Eddie going
short OF papa's stocks. lie has done Il
openly, and his father, when asked about
IL, has seemed 10 he rather proud as he
the; the question with whispered land
they say that the boy made money cop
pering me. Now, do you really think he
did9f
In answer 10 the comments that have
been made upon their stand against more
Z per cent. dividends, the junior Gould's
answer was that the people who are mad
have got loaded down with stocks that
they cannot sell, and now want 10 misuse
the Missouri Pacifc's finances 10 help them
out.
II certainly Is an entertaining situation
from Wall street point Of view M u IL
lively task that Jay Gould Will have 10
undertake in settling things amicably all
around. However, there Is some consola-
ton for those outsiders who, being neither
long nor short OF Gould stocks, pin faith 10
that antique saying which says that when
some folks fall out, some other folks may
get their due.