The times., 1897-12-31

| 1t has been known generally among
| business meI for several months that there
| is d certain amount of dissatisfac action among
| the Stockholders of the Capital Traction
| Company at the size of the salary list,
| and at other expenses, for impro 7ements
| that have been made mostly. The extent
| of this feeling has been yariously esti-
! mated.
/ A parer was circulated among the stock
| holders of the road last spring, containing
list OF all the salaries from that Of the
presidei t-$ 81 . 900 down to that II tea
directors, $50 meeting.
There was an attempt at the time To
create o spirit OF opposition to the pres
ent officers, and some of the most dis
gruntied openly suggested action In this
direction.
The opposition was not strong enough,
however, to max c any such move as the
overthrow OF the officers possible. At
that time Tie Times published the facts
of the matter exclusively.
This dissatisf action has not entirely dis
appeared. Many of the Stockholders signed
a petition asking for reduction in sal
aries which was pres ented at the last
directors meeting Oh the second Wednes-
day of this month.
The petition recitel the large extra ex-
penses the Company is now under owing to
the pow er-house fire and the change of
motive power. II then recited that in
view Of the fact that the next two years
dividends must be passed, ii was believed
10 be only the fair thing that the salaries
be REDUCED to put the officers more neatly
on an equal footing with the stOckhOld-
ers.
The petition was signed by several Of
the more important people interested in the
road, among y hCm are mentioned MIR. 4.
b. Crime IL and Mr.. Samuel l.. Phillips.
II was read at "A meeting md then referred
to committee, which is mining into
the affairs of The road, with economy as
its object.
The next meeting OF the directors is on
the second Wednesday in January. On
this date also is held the annual stock
holders meeting of the road
1t is probable that the present time was
chosen for the petition with that fact in
view, as the matter may thus become a
subject of general canvas and discussion
The officers aud directors of the road are
not inclined t. discuss this petition or to
express any opinion OF it. An attempt
was made. without success, last night 10
secure an authoritative statement over some
geutleman's name as TO what. il any. &C
ton is likely tC be taken with regard to it,
II may te stated, however. that radgc-
tiOn o.; ssI; ries is not unlikely. The Commit
tee referred to has been making careful
exaTninati ton the affairs 81 the Company
i'll every direction. 1t il believed tha. the
discomfort . f ssTne ofthe stockholders caused
this committee to be formed and that WHEEL
it was found curtailment 1f expenses was
practically ar ssured fact, only the means
being in question.
Tftha reductions in expense are u be made
they will he announced by the directors
probably at tile annual meeting Of the stock
holders next month.
The discussion that this petition has
aroused has led to the tentative revival
of the stories circulated Immediately after
the poTeT-house fire, with regard to Mr.
Phillips renewed connection with the
affairs OF tie Capital Traction. II was
intimdted st the time that MT. Phillips
was very strong man with certain heavy
stockholders Of the road and that also
he was enemy of Mr.. Dunlop. In
view of these facts the suggestion was
made that the retirement of Mr. Dunlop
was likely.