Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-23
THE sEABOARD AIRLINE.
Proposed Cbynge of Financial
Agcnt-Opposition TOO strong.
CWashington Evening Star)

washington Evening CldlD
The railroad world has been much ex-
cited for week past regarding the pro-
ceedings of a meeting Of the Board Of
Directors OF the Seaboard Airline. which
took place at Portsmouth but concerning
which nothing has until now been made
known. All sorts Of rumors have been in
circulation as to what there transpired.
and the accepted belief in most circles has
been that the Seaboard was getting ready
TO renew active hostllities with the South
ern Railway Company.
The Star H. able 10 state on the highest
authority that there Is not the slightest
probability that there will be another rate
war between the two companies named
and that the most earnest efforts will be
made by tho managers Of both companies
to secure as much business as possible at
remunerative rates; also. that the special
matter under consideration by the direc-
tors was n proposition made by PresI-
dent r. Curzon Hoffman to take from
the Mercantile Trust and Deposit Com
pany. Of Baltimore. the financial agency
OF the Seaboard. which it has had for Il
number OF years and 10 select another
agent. 1t Is said that Mr.. Hoffman frank
ly stated that the reason he wanted to
make q change IN the financial agency
of the road was because OF the course
recently pursued by General John Gill;
the president Of the Mercantile Trust and
Deposit Company. In forming a pool, the
object Of which was to enable outside
parties TO get control OF the Seaboard.
and. as q matter OF course GUST Mr.. Hoff-
man from his present position.
Much to the surprise Of the friends OF
General Gill. Messrs. Louis McLane and
c. d. Fisher. the former OF whom is one
OF Mr.. Hollman's closest friends and
the managing member o. the Hoffman,
McLane pool. rallied 10 the defence OF
the Mercantile Trust Company, and took
the ground that General Gill had not I'm
his action relative to the conduct Of
the affairs Of his syndicate done anything
more than. as a businessman and holder
Of Seaboard securities, he had a right
20 do, and that there was no reason to
make q change in the agency.
Subsequently, General Gil and Presi-
dent Hoffman met In Baltimore, and,
after a conversation regarding recent
history. particularly OF the Seaboard
Airline. settled their differences and
hereafter IT is expected there will be no
friction between the two gentlemen.
1t is also understood that as a result
Of the bridging of the chasm between
Hoffman's friends to the reelection Of
General Gill to the presidency of the
Mercantile Trust and Deposit Company
will cease.
There is considerable talk among rail
road men as to the probable effect On
Seaboard interests OF the sudden death OF
Mr.. Moncure Robinson few days ago.
Mr. Robinson having been one of the
pool which held 5000 shares OF the Sea
board stock. and who was also one OF
those who were unalterably opposed to
permitting the Seaboard TO pass out OF
the control of the present management
1t is not likely that the sad event will
have any effect whatever I'm the direction
in which the alarm reported was felt,
as Mr.. Robinson's stock as Is also that
OF the majority OF the holders. is bound
up I'm the pool arrangement for five years
and the agreement. which was drawn uy
in strictly legal form, cannot be dissolved
during that period. except with the con-
sent OF three-fourths OF the stock de-
posted.
1t is understood that General Counsel
l.. r. Watts, Of the Seaboard will at an
early date ask Judge Hughes. OF the
United States Court, at Richmond. 70
name a day I'm January upon which the
former can move 10 have removed the
temporary injunction granted some
months ago by the court TO present the
Seaboard AIRLINE from reducing rates
The proposed action OF Judge Watts is
regarded as a step that Is necessary 70
be taken In order to formally close the
legal proceedings Instituted when the ac-
tive hostilities We're going or some time
ago. as the case was practically aban-
doned by the Mercantile Trust and Depo-
sit Company OF Baltimore, which insti-
fnfad IL long since