The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1896-12-01


er's Sarcastic Letter-He Refused to Re-
sign-Boston and Maine at the Bottom of
the Change-George b. Evans Mr.. Tuck
er's Successor.
Portland, Me-, Nov. 30.-An adjourn
ed meeting of the directors of the Maine
Central railroad was held to-day, at
which there were present all the direc-
tors, both those from abroad and those
resident in Maine, except Mr.. George
invited Mr.. Payson Tucker to tender
his resignation. Mr.. Tucker declined
to resign. and 1t was then voted to re-
move Mr.. Tucker from the office of
vice president and general manager
Mr.. Tucker, upon being notified of his
removal sent to President Tuttle and
the executive committee this letter:
Portland, Nov 30
"Lucius Tuttle, President Boston and
Maine Railroad, and the Chairman of
the Executive Committee of the
Maine Central Railroad:
Gentlemen have been officially in
formed that my services as vice presi-
dent and general manager of the Maine
Central Railroad company will be no
longer required. I am deeply touched.
This act of kindness, so nobly conceiv-
ed and delicately consummated, teaches
me that all is not base and sordid in this
world. and that the human heart, when
connected with the Boston and Maine
railroad, is capable of high and lofty
impulses. Wishing you a pleasant
journey to Boston this afternoon, I am
as ever. (Signed)
"PAYsON TUCKER"
George T. Evans, assistant general
manager of the Boston and Maine rail-
road, was elected general manager of
the Maine Central
A reporter saw Mr.. Tucker at his
house tonight. Mr. Tucker said that
he believed that the people of Maine
will be in sympathy with him. He had
been asked to resign. but he had moth
ing to resign for. He had for twenty
two years worked night and day to
make the Maine Central a success He
raised its value from four dollars a
share to a 6 per cent. dividend-paying
road. But, said Mr.. Tucker, lines have
been drawing closer every day. He
could say one thing-that while he felt
badly to sever his connection with the
road, and especially in the way he had.
yet he felt the freedom that had been a
stranger to him for years,
Mr.. Tucker was visibly affected, but
was manly throughout the interview.
Mr.. Evans, his successor, has been
connected with the VRndalia road, then
with the Boston and Lowell, and more
recently with the Boston and Maine in
the capacity mentioned.
Mr.. Tucker has spent practically his
whole life as q railroad men, He be-
gan at the age of sixteen years as clerk
with John Russell of the old Portland.
Saco and Portsmouth railroad. During
the long illness of Mr. Russell, MIR.
Tucker was at times virtually superin-
tendent of the road. Later he became
a conductor on the Eastern railroad.
Mr.. Tucker went to the Maine Central
from the Eastern railroad in 1867, first
being chosen superintendent and in 1882
promoted to vice president and general
manager, which positions he held up
to to-day. In 1882 and 1883 he also held
the position of general manager of the
Eastern railroad.
The operation of the Maine Central
has been left largely to Mr.. Tucker OF
late years and he maintained close
personal supervision of all matters re-
lating to the road
In 1867. Maine Central stock was
worth anywhere from 80 to SO, just as
II was wanted for any special purposes.
Now it Is far above par and cannot be
obtained in the open market. Good
financial management, combined with
the popular operation Of the road, has
wrought this change
There Is a strong suSoicion that the
removal of Mr. Tucker Is the begin
ming Of movement to more closely
unite the management Of the Boston
and Maine and Maine Central railroads,
that hereafter the management of the
latter will be less independent than 1t
has been. While the statutes of the
state makes 1t compulsory that ma
iority of the Maine Central directors
shall be residents of Maine and that its
headquarters shall be in this state, still
IT is not incompatible with a closer
union of the management of the two
roads However, several gentlemen
supposed to be in the councils OF the
Boston and Maine deny that any radi-
cal changes are intended, though they
did not deny that several minor officers
may be consolidated.
President Wilson of the Maine Cen
tral makes the following statement:
'"There were differences Of opinion ex-
listing between the directors of the
Maine Central railroad and Mr.. Payson
Tucker, who has for several years oc-
cupied the position of general manager,
and the board to-day elected Mr.. George
F. Evans general manager, but Mr..
Tucker remains a director of the road
and vice president.
1.-THE influence and labor Of Mr..
Tucker in bringing the road to its pres
ent state of efficiency is fully appre-
ciated by the owners of the property
and by the general public and all will
be glad to know that the company Is
still TO have the benefit of Mr. fuckers S
advice, whilst he will devote himself
more exclusively to the management of
his own private interests, which are ex-
tensive, and important. The strain at
tendant upon the management OF a
property so large as the Maine Central
is so great that at the end Of twenty
one years service Mr.. Tucker has richly
deserved relaxation and change"