The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-01-25
.SEABoARD AIR LINE.
The Present Change I'm nnEement
rs Viewed In Atlantis.

L f II
The Atlanta Constitution Of Thursday
IN speaking of the change In manage.
ment OF the SeHboard Air Line system
says:
For u long time It has been q cues.
ton whether Vice President ST. John
would get General Manager WInder out
or whether the Winders would freeze
out the vice-president. Soon after COM
ing TO the Seaboard Mr. ST. John had
Captain John Winder virtually deposed,
out the latter brought sufficient infiu-
ence to bear to prevent the vice-presi-
cents nave going into efect The
tucker and Wintler holdings of Sea-
BOARD securities are very large, but the
opposing interests are little stronger.
Mr.. st. John was brought from the
Rock Island road to .the Seaboard to
lnaugurate and carry tut Il certain
policy. 1t is u weil-established custom
IN railway politics for an official In
going to a new position, to surround
himself with new men. II being accept
ed as universal truth that the old men,
will not give a new man the support
that they did his predecessor. Mr.. St
john proceeded to make some changes,
ana met with opposition. The fight be-
tween the two factions grew hot. Win
der protected some of his ,men, and ST.
John proceeded to curtail Winder's au-
thority. One Of the first things which
the ice-president did Twas to remove
the general managers office from At
lanta to Portsmouth over the protest
of Winder. One power after another
was absorbed by the vice-president I'M
til the position OF general manager did
not cut much more figure in the road
than caboosc on IL freight train.
Threats were frequently heard, and
fumors of impending moves by this side
or that flew thick and fast. Indeed,
they are still flying. Some of them
would make interesting reading, but
they would not do the road any good;
and 1t is best not to give them public
lily unless they are carried into execu-
ton.
One of Captain Winder's friends says
That the fight will be carried on from
the outside with more intensity than
ever. How 1t will end, Is not for the
of absolute and unadulterated
truth to attempt to foretell
Captain V. e. McBee stands good
chance Of being made general superIn-
tendent of the Sal If he does not take
1t, n Rock Island man probably will.
Captain John II. Winder came to
Atlanta in the spring of 1892 when the
Georgia. Carolina and Northern was
building into the city. He was division
then. He built the Sea-
boards belt line around Atlanta, maxi
ing connonsion with the Western and
Atlantic. That was In the time of
President Robinson. When Mr.. Robins
son died. Mr.. Hoffman was elected to
him, John c. Winder was made
Vice-president, succeeding Mr. Hoffman,
and John II. Winder was elevated to
general manager. taking his fathers
position. Major Winder resigned after
a years service as e-president, and
Mr.. st. John was appointed. General
Manager John Fl. Winder was one of
the youngest men In the country hold
Ing such an important position. He is
not much more than thirty now and he
has a good record as a transportation
and traffic man. II has not been many
months sin,e me was offered the vice
presidency of an important system, but
he would not leave the Seaboard to ac-
cept it. This is mot generally known,
but 1t had great significance to those
who were aware of 1t. Here in Atlanta
Captain Wlnder Is very popular. as he
is all along the line. and he gave his
company a strong representation here.
"Nice-President ST. John has the sup
port OF the board. He is n veteran rail
roader, and insists on running things
his own way. He seems 20 be having
his way.
Superintendent Melee. Of this div-
sion of the Seaboard, Is In Washington
or Portsmouth or somewhere In that
vicinage.'