The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-01-23
JOHN W|NDER GOES
The Seaboard's General Mana
ger Walks the Plank.
Mr.. ST. JOHN WINS AGAIN
There Had Been Some Conflict
Between Them.
ST. JOHN GENERAL MANAGER
Some Expressions of Disapproval ano
Criticisms Made by Some Prom
nent Citizens of
Raleigh.

| 7dlelSn.
| Norfolk, Va, Jan. a. (Special)
| General Manager Winder has been
retired from the position OF General
Manager of the Seaboard Air Line, and
| Mr.. st. John becomes General Manager
| in Connection with his duties as Vice
| President.
| This action is in accordance with an
| order of the president and a commit
| tee of the directors of the lines COM
prising the Seaboard Airline system.
Mr.. Il. ST. John today assumes the
| duties of general manager of the en-
tire system, in addition to his position
of yice-president.
| 1t is understood that the directors
also created the position of general
superintendent, which will undoubt-
/ ed1y soon be filled.
| This announcement was heard in
| Raleigh with great regret. Mr.. Win-
der is one Of the most popular men
| Raleigh has known, and his business
ability has given him a prominent
| place in business circles in this and
other States
Nearly year ago it was reported in
| Raleigh that the new Nice-President,
Mr.. st. John. had shown a desire to
| have Mr.. Windef retire from the road,
| but Mr. Winder had told him, You
can't get rid of me by any action that
does not come from the directorate.
You cannot make it so unpleasant for
me that you will force me to resign"
This was the talk, but whether true or
not nobody knows. Time passed on
and outsiders supposed that the rumor
was false, and that Mr.. st. John and
Mr.. Winder were both to remain. Last
nights announcement lent color TO
the original report that Mr.. st. John
was determined to get rid of Mr.. Win
der.
No particulars are at hand, but it
| is understood that Mr.. Winder is dis
| placed by Mr.. ST. John. Raleigh re-
grets this very much. Last night
| there was much criticism of the ac-
/ fiu,:. Some Of the expressions are
given here:
Mr.. Chas. f.. johnson. a director Of
the road, said he was personal
friend of both Mr.. Winder and Mr.. st.
John and he knew nothing Of the facts
in the case and did not care 20 have
anything to say.
Col. A. NJ McPheetefs, who has been
connected with the Seaboard for the
past forty years said Il deeply re-
gret il. I regarded him as one of the
most efficient officers we had on the
line He was extremely popular. both
| with the people and the railroad em-
| ployes.
Mr.. R. h. Raney, general agent of the
| Penn Mutual Insurance Company said:
| ssI regret it very much. 1T is the hard
| est blow the road has ever had since
| The death Of Mr.. Robinson. 1t is bound
| to affect 1T. Mr.. Winder's dismissal
| will cause it to lose to q great extent,
| the sympathy of the Southern people,
| which it has heretofore possessed be-
| cause it was owned and controlled by
| Southerners. This step will be worth
/ thousands Of dollars to the Southern
Railway in the matter Of freights."
| Mr.. H. r. Finlayson, manager OF the
| Standard Oil Company here, said there
| was no question as to the bad effect OF
| this action of the Seaboard manage-
nenf. ..The road is now, SO far as its
management is concerned, entirely in
tho hands of Northern and Western
neonle 1t will affect its freight traf-
fic very materially at all Competing
points. This viii be especially true so
1 r n. - concerned
Mr.. Thos Pescud, prominent gro
Ger. said 'Piease quote me as peing
one of the business men OF Ralelgh'
who thinks this an unwise act OF the
Seaboard system. This business OF dls-
charging men without cause SIMPLY
To make places for Mr.. st. Johns West
ern friends has gone on long enough.
Mr.. Will Williamson, owner OF the
| Pilot cotton mills. said the people OF
| Raleigh would hereafter give their
freights to a competing ROAD WheFe ~
was possible to do so, unless The Sea-
| board cut rates for them. Ihe pollcy
| pursued by the Seaboard for sometime
| has tended 10 make it anything else
| but popular"
| Mr.. !. ii. Bobbitt, druggist, thought
| that il would cause the Seaboard 10
| lose much freight to and from TINS
city. "Mr. st. Johns ill-will seems to
have been directed against kaieigh
ever since he has been in Office.
Mr.. Jack Pryor. travelling salesman
for the Sharp and Dohme Co, Balti-
| more. said: John Winder, both as
man and official, is exceedingly popu-
lar, not only in Raleigh, but in ATTAIN
ia and many intermediate points The
effect of this action of the Seaboard
management will be quite as bad in
Atlanta as in Raleigh"
Mr.. T. s Stevenson thought this one