Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-10-06
SEAB0ARD AIRLINE.
MEETING IN BALTIMORE OF THn
BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
EVERYTHING NOT HARMONIOUS.
various Rumors, One Indicating the
Retirement of President HOFFMAN,
Another the Resignation of xr. 81.
John-ReaI battle To-day.

BALTIMORE. MD. October 1.-The die
reotors OF the Seaboard and Roanoke rail-
road. which Is the parent company OF the
seaboard AIRLINE system. held q meet
ing to-day In President r. Curzon Hon.
mans Office, in this city, to discuss tho
Affairs Of the company and examine the
annual report preparatory to its presents-
tion at the stockholders meeting. to 30
held at Portsmouth. Va. tomorrow.
The directors present at the meeting
were Messrs. r. Curzon Honmaa, who
presided; Louis McI.aL3 and Charles II.
Fisher. OF Baltimore; w. w. Fuller. OF
North Carolina; Leigh X. Watts. OF
Portsmouth, Va, and Moncurs Robinson.
OF Philadelphia.
The meeting was held behind closed
doors, and II reports DC true. Il was noe
marked by the Same harmony that In
times past has characterized the direc-
tors conferences. Various rumors were
ahoat es to what transpired at the meet
ing. but these could not DO confirmed.
They referred TO the retirement Of Presi-
dent Hoffman at the annual meeting to-
morrow II his course IN the rate war waa
ST. JOHN MAY RETIRE
Another report was 10 the effect that
| Nice-President ST. John would retire In
regard 10 this last rumor, however. IL
may be stated that Mr.. ST. John has n
! contract with the Seaboard Air~Idne
which still has several years TO run, and
he is not likely 10 voluntarily surrender
position that pays him $1,000 unless ho
IN a ,.4f INA Arf In, utu H..
| however, be forced out.
President Hoffman issued another cir
cular TO stockholders advising them non
to sell or give options on their holdings,
stating that the stock was worth much
more than par. and giving what appeared
| 10 him TO be good reasons for the opinion
The directors and some OF the largest
stockholders left for Portsmouth tonight
! TO participate in to-morrows meeting.
| There the real battle for control Of the
property will be fought. Both factions
claim 10 be confident OF Victory, and thu
| outcome OF the lght between President
| Hoffman and General Gin Is looked for
| ward 10 with great interest by fnanciers.
A rumor was I'm circulation this evening
that the Portsmouth meeting might be
| postponed
STATEMENT FROM ST. JOHN.
NEW YORK. October 5.-In regard 20
the reported purchase OF the Seaboard
| Airline by the Southern Railway Mr..
ST. John, vice-president and general
manager OF the former line. sends the
following statement from Portsmouth,:
you can state that there Is not a wort
OF truth In the rumor recently put for
ward TO intimidate stockholders. and
with a view 10 causing panic among
| them IN the hope that they Will dispose
| OF their valuable securities 10 the SOUTH
ern at low figure. So long as the peo-
pie stay with us. the competition which
is so necessary TO them at this time. and
In all the future, they will doubtless Sc
cure; and this statement will unquez-
tionably be borne cut By the result OF
next Tuesday's annual meeting NJ Ports
mouth. The stockholders Of the Seaboard
cannot be stampeded in any such way
as that proposed"