Evening star., 1898-10-05
Affairs Of the US. Electric Lighting
Go. Discussed.
STATEMENT SIGNED BY 8 DIRECTORS
Proxies Asked for to Vote at the
Coming Election.
s II A r z G % NJ NJ E Y T S


OF the company, replying to the circular,
dated September ~. sent to the stockhold-
crs by the president Mr.. A. A Thomas, ex-
tracts from which were printed at the time
In The Star. The signatures attached to
the circular. with the connection of the
signers with the COMPANY. are given as
follows James L. Norris first vice presi-
dent. director and member of the executive
and buildings committees; W. H. Sla-
ter, director and member of the executive
committee; Samuel j. ButterfieId, director
and member of the auditing committee;
John Cammack. director and member of
the building committee; Chas. e. Duncan
son. Clarence F. Norment, Chas. Werner.
Geo W. Pearson. directors:
Referring to q circular put forth by Mr..
A. A thomas as president of the United
States Electric Lighting Company under
date of September ~, ISIS. advising the
stockholders as to certain phases of the
affairs of said company and the results
achieved under the administration of the
said president-which circular is prepared
and distributed solely on his responsibility
and without the slightest regard to the
views or the action of the board of direc-
torS-and is a direct ard palpable appeal
10 the stockholders in vi W of the appro lch-
Ing annual election to have himself retained
as president of said compsny-the majority
OF the ulfScCOrS ana OIiCerS or SAID COM
pany find il necessary to communicate to
the stockholders the following statement
a. corrective of some of the Impressions
which that circular is well calculated to
produce.
The Use of Proxies.
In speaking of proxies, he cautions the
stockhoIder not to allow his stock to be
used not only against the administration
of the company. but for advancing the per-
ord I- of
by their often very limited holdings unwill-
ing to assume the liability of personal loss
for their actions The impression which
each stockholder on reading this advice
must inevitably derive is that an effort is
being made by class of small holders of
little or no standing responsibility to
remove him from the presidency.
After giving you this caution, he asks
you for you proxy, which he will use to
defeat the election of the eight directors
who signed the circular letter under date of
September ~. and which you have received
and TO elect in their place four to eight new
and Untried men. his object being to Sc
cure q majority of the board of directors,
who Will subserve his purposes and secure
his reelection as president. He does not
need your proxy to elect himself. for he in
forms you of the number of shares held by
himself. his family and associates which.
If correct, would be sufficient to elect him
self and his associates one or more as
directors.
What Change Would Mean.
''As to this plan of giving proxies. We
wish that each stockholder might be pres
ent at the annual meeting to do his own
voting. but since this is not always practi-
cable, the only thing remaining is to send
the Proxy to some one in whom the stock
holder has confidencs 10 vote for such di-
rectors as III his Judgment will act for the
interest OF the COMPANY.
If the election should result in making a
change in the membership of the board for
the coming year, you will observe that such
Change VIII diSplace what he terms old
and tried officers for new and inexperienced
ones about which he feels so much solicit
tude. At the same time YOU must perceive
tFat If you give him the power he Will
surely turn out the eight directors who
sign this document and replace them with
II en- whom he will expect To manage at his
own will IL IS this fact which constitutes
the secret of the friction ard disturbance
in the board of directors which nave char
act@rized ths history of the past.
If. however. you should conclude % give
your proxy te either one of the gentlemen
W no have signed this letter, you will aid in
erSuring tn sir re-elec ton Us directors for
the coming year. and then they will elect
fIcm the dire ctOrs d president who will con-
suit the board and will respect the united
Judgment of all lis members in the man
asement of the company's affairs.
Welfare of the stock holders.
He has sent to the stockholders a dam
aging statement when /. says: AS to the
opposition. il has made noise out of al
proportion TO its size. and mas not hesi.ated
TO circulate cx parte statements to the con-
unutd unrest OF stockholders: the daprecia-
ton OF their stock. the discredit of the
company with the general public
He was never directed or authorized to
prepars and send out such circular by order
OF the board. or executive committee, vir-
tua!!y taking upon himself the right to is
sue II, ard using his official title for tie
Signature. Without going into full len 9Th
OF figures and personalities, the undersigned
respectfully call attention to the fact that
NJ appears TO be thoroughly .:onversant
with the manner of using proxies for his,
own advancement. So far as the personal
erds of the parties to whom he is supposed
TO refer are concerned, they havs TO other
object or purpose than looking aft er the
welfare of all the stockholders. and while
- me may have small holdings, still their
responsibility. so far dollars and cents
are concerned. may amount to more than
Sc me whose holdings appear to be of
q eater number of shares
1t Is true that under the laws of West
Virginia d stockholder may multiply his
shares by the number of directors TO he
elected and no one has taken more advan-
tsge of this fact than he himself The
beard of directors of the United States
sihle for this law. and had nothing to do
with the making of it. and would prefer IA
majority OF them. called by him a minority,
although eight is supposed to be q grea Ter
number than hve}, that the ma jority of
stcck should control and elect all the direct
ors. from whom the president. and other Of
fCers. arc selected.
The Administration of Bu.inexx.
He speaks about the administration of
the Affairs of the company. 1t is supposed
that all of the directors were elected for
the purpose of managing the affairs of the
company. and naturally the so-called mi
nority. of eight. ought to have the right to
give their opinion. In the last election held
four of the directors, elected on his side
have had their eyes opened and are with
the majority OF the directors now. Their
names were signed to the letter sent under
date of September " 10 you. 1t is sup
posed to be the desire of the stockholders
c1 the company to have its affairs conduct
co IN Il buSiueSs-like manner, and following
the desire of the stockholders. a majority
OF the board Of directors have undertaken
TO get proxies for the purpose of voting AT
the annual election. said majority deeming
1t wise to make change of some of the
officers. and whilst the ajority are getting
proxies. the minority has not appeared TO
have been sleeping. They commenced more
than month or so ago in collecting prox-
les for themselves.
He takes to himself and his associates