The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-12-21
Best of Legal Talent Employed by
Opposing Forces.
LASTED LONG INTO THE NIGHT
Opponents OF the Consolidation Plan
Declared that the Case Demanded
Immediate Action, and Judge
Naddili Conducted Court
Until After Midnight.
Battle Royal.

The Ryan antagonism TO tfe consoiiua-
ton OF the various roads known as the
seabOard Airline System hds taken a
new phase, and il now being fought oul
in the courts. a petition asking ioF the
granting OF an injunction restraining the
consolidation Of the SeAD0ard and koa-
noke and the Raleigh ana CASTOR. or any
Other. OF the varDus roads OF the SeabOaru
system. was presented IN the Unilca
States Court here last night. The CONF
painants, in stating their case dcoiu Ell
that il was an emergency ana asked Tor
an immediate hearing. This was done,
and Judge Waddill held Circuit Court
last night until nearly midnight. This
bill named as defendants In the suit JOhu
Shelton Williams, Legh X. Watts. }. w.
Mittendorf and others.
The plaintiff and defendants were repre-
sented respectively by Messrs. Crawford.
OF New York; w l.. AHrbury, OF Bati-
more, and Lawrence ID. Groncr, OF Nor
folk and Jndge Watts. OF Portsmouth;
Judge Cross. OF Baltimore. Judge Lewis.
General Allan, and Henry x Williams, Of
Richmond.
THE FIGHT OPENED.
NJ. Gr0ner opened the proceedings with
statement that Air. Ryan would suffer
ieopardized by the proposed consolidation.
That the meeting OF the Raleigh and Gas
ton railroad was to be heid to-day at
Raleigh, and he feared that a consolida-
ton was to be effected at this meeting
At present the Williams Syndicate ana us
friends were in power. and that through
their voting the stock held by them the
consolidation could be- consummated
despite the protest of Mr.. Ryan. one of the
minority stockholders, but who claims TO
own about 25lJ shares ana lays claim 20
3,c9 more shares, the ownership OF whicn
is now pending in the Supreme Court of
Maryland. lie referred tO tire Hoffman
resolution. which was adopted by tho ma
jOrity OF stockholders AZ the meot.lg OF
the Seaboard and Roanoke. held al l'1fts-
mouth Tuesday. He characterized these
proceedings as improper. Mr.. Gr0ner said
that he did not wish TO force this matter
down the throats or the defendants. neith-
er did he wish snap judgment. and woulf
be willing 10 postpone these proceedings
If the defendants would pledge themselves
not TO cOnsummate the consolidation OF
the Raleigh and Castor with the seaboard
and Roanoke or Other of the companies
at he meeting to-day.
He detailed a length the relative posi-
tions of the Williams Syndicate and Ry-
an. and tilt was INDUCED in by Judge
Watts and Mr.. Groner, but personalities
were ruled against by Judge Waddill.
The Hoffman resolution referred % was
as follows:
Whereas It is proposed to unite the
railways and properties of the Seaboard
Air Line system with those of the South
Bound Railroad Company. the Georgia
and Alabama Railway Company and the
Florida Central and Peninsular Railroad
Company thus creating system OPP
Grating railroads from Richmond Va.
and Portsmouth. Va. through the States
of Virginia. North Carolina, South Caro-
lima Alabama, Georgia and Florida;
therefore,
Resolved, by the stockholders Of the
Seaboard and Roanoke Railroad Com
pany. that they approve Of the corporate
union Of the railways and properties
the Soab0ard Air Line system
with those Of the South Bound Railroad
Company. the Georgia and Alabama Rail-
way Company and the Florida Central
and Peninsular Railroad Company. and
hereby authorize and empower the prcsi-
dent and directors Of this company TO
join In such agreements, contracts. mer-
gers or consolidation or other measure
TO bring about the closest physical con-
necton and corporate union or merger
OF such properties for the accomplish
ment Of the erection Of the system so
MARBURY TAKES 4 HAND.
Attorney Marbury followed and stated
In answer 10 question OF the Court that
he and his associates had been working
night and day ON the application presented
and the reason that the presentation Of
Il had been postponed until this time
was due to their inability 30 get at the
facts in the case. and Gained that the
Williams Syndicate had withheld the
plans II purposed putting into execution
from Mr. Ryan and his friends. lie
stated that Mr. Ryan owned 2.4f shares.
about one-lifth Of the entire 1850 shares
If the SeabOsrd and Roanoke. while he
expects to gain possession Of the 1900
shares. the ownership Of which Is now
pending IN the Maryland courts, thus
giving him control Of forty per cent. of
he entire capitalized stock
He contended that through various man. |
pulations and purchases OF stock the |
Williams Syndicate and its friends had |
'Ome into control. and purpOsed consum- |
mating the consolidation of the lines |
the SeabOard system. THIS
vas opposed by Mr. Ryan on the grounds |
hat such a system would not prove |
aging venture. owing TO the competing |
ines. the Atlantic Coast Line. Plant sys-
en- and Southern Railway, and consider
"A the field not profitable in view Of these !
acts. He also protested on the grounds
4 the proposed method OF payment.
which was made to the stockholders OF |
he Georgia and Alabama and the Florida
'entral and Peninsular. for their interests |
\ those roads. He declared that Williams |
vas taking advantage OF his power, and
dvancIng his own interests and those of
he syndicate and its supporters. That
4 the sale of certain shares the syndicate
vas both the seller and the buyer. and no
thers were taken into consideration in
he various deals
He also protested against the Hoffman |
esonution and declared that MIR. HOFFMAN
epresented the Syndicate's interests.
lie also stated that il was the purpose
} increase the capital stock OF the Raleigh
nd CASTOR. IN which Is to be the parent !
ne about SO, 9,0C0.00o
JUDGE WATTS PROTEST.
Judge Watts leading council for the l