Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-01-13
Gossip Regarding Next President Of
the Baltimore and Ohio.
SEVERAL Possibilities MENTIONED
Norfolk and Western Road Has a
Bill in Virginia.
9TH Err RAILROAD NEWS

Inc regular monthly meeting OF the board
Of directors of the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad Company will be held in Bslti
more Wednesday of this week.
Three weeks ago it was expected that the
committee which was intrusted with the
responsibility of selecting an executive
head for the company would be then able
to make its report. but it is now thought
that the most the committee will do in
that direction will be to report the progress
that it has made.
Mention has hel etofore been made in The
Star that it was understood that overtures
have been made to President M. H. Smith
of the Louisville and Nashville system to
induce him to leave his present place.
which is said to be very congenial to him,
and assume the responsibilities which are
attached to the office of president of the
Baltimore and Ohio, but the latter place,
1t is asserted. does not seem particularly
attractive to Mr.. Smith and he has in eff
feet declined the offer made him.
Other names are Cow mentioned in con-
nection with the Baltimore and Ohio presi-
dency, but 1t is believed the vacancy will
not be filled for several months, as Col.
Alexander Shaw, chairman of the finance
committee, has, as stated in The Star of
Wednesday last, made satisfactory ar
rangements in reference to the payment Of
the most pressing claims. and ii is desired
by, the directors to secure man who is not
conversant with practical railway manage
ment If it be possible to do so.
The situation in this respect is rendered
somewhat more eesy of solution by the
main as president of the company until
his successor shall be chosen.
Mr.. FELTON,.
Prominent among the names of those
now spoken Of in this connection is Mr.
Samuel M. FELTON,, general manager for that
part of the Queen and Crescent route which
has not passed under the control of the
Southern Railway Company. Though in
the prime of life, Mr.. FELTON, has had great
success as a railway man. 1t may be said
that he was born in the business, for his
father. Mr.. Samuel NJ. FELTON,, was at the
time Of his death and for many years pre-
cedtng that event president of the Phila-
delphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Rail-
road Company, and was regarded by many
as the best executive officer the road had
up to the period when it was merged into
the Pennsylvania railway system
Inc younger FELTON, began his railway ex-
perience at the bottom of the ladder, and
has gradually worked his way up to the
present very enviable position in the rail-
way world occupied by him. First he was
rodman in an engineering corps of the
company, of which his father was presi-
dent Later ne became successfully brake
man, conductor, train dispatcher and super
intendent on various parts Of the Pennsyl-
vania system, and a few years since was
made general manager of the Queen and
crescent route, as the line connecting Gin
cinnatf and New Orleans is called In this
position he has achieved signal success and
has come to be regarded as one of the most
thoroughly capable railroad men in the
United States.
Ex-GOv. Brown.
The name of Ex-Governor Frank Brown
of Maryland has also been suggested In
some quarters as a suitable successor to
President Mayer. He is president of the
Baltimore Traction Company. place which
he has held for couple of years only, but
in that time he has been able to demon
strate to the great financial magnates who
own that and most of the other principal
rapid transit lines in the United States that
he possesses remarkable skill as the man.
ager OF large financial operations.
Vice President King.
1t is conceded in many quarters that were
it not for the peculiar conditions which sur
round Baltimore and Ohio affairs, and his
own advanced age. First Vice President
Orland Smith of the Baltimore and Ohio
could have the presidency il he would ac-
cept. Though modest and retiring In the
extreme. he is considered by those most
competent to judge an ideal railway man.
ager. He was a builder Of Ohio roads be-
fore the war, and entered the Union army
where, for gallantry in many battles he
Won the rank and was appointed to the
grade of brigadier general of United States
volunteers, which he held at the time of
the disarmament Of the army upon the re-
turn of peace, in 1865.
Since the organization of the great Trunk
Line pool few months ago Gen. Smith
has spent most Of his time in New York
where the headquarters of the pool are To-
Gated. engaged in looking after the inn
portant interests of the Baltimore and Ohio
at it's greatest eastern outlet
Another Possibility.
Second Vice President Thomas NJ. King
at one time was thought to be slated for
the vacant presidency. but is now thought
by those best informed on Baltimore and
Ohio affairs to be practically out of the
race, but his most intimate friends regard
him the dark horse in the field, and be-
lieve that If 1t shall be determined to have
practical man at the head Of the road al
lowing him to look mainly after the phys
ical operations, while the finances could be
managed by another official, he WILL on &C.
count of his intimate knowledge be ele-
waited to the presidency.
There is also a vacancy in the board of
directors of the road caused by the resie-
nation of Mr.. William F. Burns and 1t is
generally believed in banking circles that
this will be filled by the election Of a New
York man, who will be selected by the four
New York members of the board Mr.
Burns was one of the Oldest directors of
the road and his retirement is looked upon
with much regret, and is said to be wholly
ascribable to his desire to lay aside some of
his business cares on account of his ad-
vancing age.
Mr.. Burns was associated in the manage
ment of the Baltimore and Ohio with the
late John w. Garrett, and his service as q
director covers a period of more than forty
years, while for many years past he has
been regarded as one of the best financiers
in the city of Baltimore.
Norfolk and Western.
The many holders of Norfolk and West
ern railroad stock and bonds will be inter-
ested to learn that a bill was introduced
into the Virginia legislature a day or two
since, providing for the reorganization of
that company, whose affairs are now in the
hands of receivers appointed by the United
States court for the district of Virginia.
This movement is understood to be the
work of the friends Of the present admins
tration of the road.
A committee of prominent financers was
appointed in London shortly after the road
went into the hands of receivers to protect
the interests of the bondholders. One was
also named in New York to act in concert
with the London committee 1t is believed
that the plan Of reorganization meets with
the approval Of these committees
The kill just introduced provides that the
purchaser or purchasers of the rnortpa pod