The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-12-23
THE SEAEOdRD POOL.
II is Not Thought the Death of Mr. Robin
son VIII Have ANY Eject Upon 1t.

The Baltincre Sun says:
The possible effect OF the recent death
of Mr.. Moncure Robinson, of Philadel-
phia. on the pool which controls the
Seaboard Air Line is being discussed in
financial circles.
Mr.. Robinson was a member of the COM
mittec of three with which $500 shares Of
the stock of the Seaboard and Roanoke
Railroad. controlling the Seaboard sys-
TEN Is pooled. Mr.. Louis McLane is
chairman OF the committee and Judge J..
NJ. Watts is the third member. No sue
Ccssor TO Mr.. Robinson viii be appointed.
As the pooling agreement IS a contract
which binds together for five years the
stock placed with the committee, it is
not thought the death OF Mr.. Robinson
will affect the pool.
Consent of threc-fourths Of the stock
deposited is required TO dissolve the agree
ment. 10 is considered unlikely that this
can be secured. as il is believed that the
disposition OF a large majority is TO stand
by the pool.
1t Is expected that Judge l.. VI. Watts.
Of Portsmouth, general counsel for the
Seaboard Air Line viii ask for the APP
pointmcnt OF a date in January for the
hearing in the injunction case now pend
ing. This injunction is the temporary
one granted 10y Judge Hughes restraining
the SeabOard Air Line from putting in
effect reduced rates. With this injunc-
tion in force the Southern rate war has
been In a state of suspension. Seaboard
officials anticipate the dismissal of the
Injunction. Should it be continued an APP
peal TO a higher court will bee taken. ltf-
forts have been in progress for some
time TO secure an amicable settlement Of
the controversy between the Southern
railway and the Seaboard. which pro-
voked the rate war, and a renewal OF the
fight with the consequent generalization
OF rates may be avoided.
no RATE WAR PROBABLE.
The Wasi ingtCn star says.
The railroad verdi has Oeen much eN-
cited for "a week past regarding the pre-
cccdings of "a meeting of ne board OF di
rcctors of the StatOard Air Line. VIII IN
took place at Portsmouth but concerning
which nothing has until now been made
known. All sorts of runners have been in
circulation as to what there transpire l.
and the accepted relief in most circles has
been that the Scahoard was getting ready
10 renew active h0stilitios with the South
EN- Rally ay Company
The Star Is able to 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
VIII be made by the managers of both
possible at remuneratiVe rates: also. that
the special matter under consideration
by the directors was a proposition made
by President X. CurZon Hoffman to take
from the Mercantile Trust and Deposit
Company. Of Baltimore the financial
agency of the SeabOard, which il has had
for a number of years and 10 select an
other agent 1t is said that Mr.. Hoffman
frankly stated that the reason he wanted
10 make change In the financial agency
OF the read was because Of the course
recently pursued by General John Gill.
the president OF the Mercantile Trust
and Deposit Company, I'm forming a poo,
the object of which was to enable out
side parties 10 get control Of the Seaboard
and as "A matter of course. Gust Mr.. Ioff-
man from his present position.
Much to the surprise Of the friends Ct
General Gil. MessrS. Louis McLane and
G. -. Fisher. the former OF whom is one
Of Mr.. HOffman's closest friends ana the
managing member Of the Hoffman Nc
Lane pool. rallied TO tho defence Of the
Mercantile Trust Company. and took the
ground that General Gill had not in his
action relative TO the conduct OF the af-
fairs of his syndicate done anything more
than as a business man and holder of Sea-
board securities he had a perfect right
TO do and that there was no reason TO
make a change I'm the agency.
Subscql entity General Gill and President
Hoffman met I'm Baltimore and after a
conversation regarding recent history.
particularly OF the Seaboard Air Line
Is expected there will he no friction be-
tween the two gentlemen.
IL Is also understood that rs n result
OF the bridging OF the chasm between the
two magnates the opposition OF Mr.. Itoff-
mans friends to the reelection of Can