The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-06-03
HUNTINGTON'S ORDER
An Official Removed Without
Consulting the Directors.
A. C. Bassett Forced to Tender His Resigna-
ton of the Management Of the
Coast Division.

Coils P Huntington. President Of the
Southern Pacific Company, has exploded
another bOmbshell in the Board of Direct
OrS. A splinter from the missile has hit an
old and trusted emplOye-one OF Senator
Stanford's personal friends.
None of the Directors were seriously IN
jured though the shock was terrific and mas
had a perceptible effect upon the temper oil
c. Fred Crocker, which was apparent
as he related yesterday the latest change at
Fourth aud Townsend streets. From MIN,
and others high in the councils Of the COM
pany, the following facts have been gath
cred.
For nearly a year the Coast Division has
been undergoing process of amaIgamatlon.
Huntington was convinced long ago that 1t
should be merged into the general system
convinced that separate management en-
tailed a needless eX eudlture OF funds. NO
parti GUAR fault could be found with the
management. which for the past few years
has devOlved upon Mr.. A. G. BaSSett.
The road has been operated Tor less than
46 per cent of the gross earnings, which
proves a system of economy scarcely paral-
leled in the history Of American railroads,
and tie Board of Directors for long time
did not take kindly TO the Presidents
scheme of consolidation. Finally hunting.
ton carried the day and the operation Of
merging this division into the general sys-
TEN was commenced.
FIRST PLAY IN THE GAME.
First he Auditing Department was abol-
iShed, and the man at the head OF this de-
partment dropped TO the grade OF clerk.
This happened upon the occasion OF Hunt
ington's visit to the Coast nearly year
ago. Upon the occasion of his last visit
another link in the consolidation chain was
forged, and the passenger and freight sub
divisions followed the Auditing Depart
ment into the general system.
Judah and Martin Of these departments
took the same relative rank under the
general management. At the time of this
change it was known that the Operating
Department must Of neceSS ty follow The
others, thus completing the merging process,
and placing the whole under the authority
OF Mr., A. n TOwne. 1t was only a cues
ton as TO when the order would be given.
Some said 1t would happen at once, others
that Huntington would think 1t over for a
year or so before making the final change.
The matter was definitely settled, how
ever, few days ago, when MI. BaSSett
received from Coils Z. a letter, which SAID
in substance: Turn the Coast Division
and all Southern Pacific property now
under your control over TO A \. IoWne.
Only this and nothing more. Nota word
did the communication contain as 10 what
POSITION Mr.. BdSSeLt would IN the future
hold under the company.
In fact there was grave doubt whether
Mr.. Huntington intended lin to hold any
position whatever. At least Mr.. BaSSett
construed it that way and promptly Ten
dered his resignation, which was forwarded
to the President Of the company through
Mr.. Crocker. To say that the Directors
and company officials were surprised is TO
put it very mildly.
DIRECTORS MORE THAN SURPRISED.
Several of the Directors were little more
than surprised, aud at once notified Mr..
Bassett OF their regret at his leaving the
COMPANY, and also their appreciation OF his
faithful aud efficient service. In speaking
Of the matter, Mr. Croker said yesterday
MIR BaSSett has been in the employ OF
the company for over twenty years, and Is
one OF the most efficient managers III the
service. He has operated the Coast division
in a manner which has won much praise
from the Board Of Directors. | am exceed
of the company. Mr.. Huntington made the
change without consulting any one, and had
the matter been submitted TO the board the
result might have been different"
Others, " no do not care 10 be quoted IN
the matter say that Huntington has always
had strong dislike for Mr. BaSSett aud at
tempted his removal before, but always
found strong opposition among the other
members of the Board of Directors.
Mr. Bassett has extensive lumber inter-
ests in Santa Cruz County, and this fact, 1t
is argued by those in the swim, has led the
company's President to the conclusion that
he (Bassett) could not faithfully serve two
masters.