The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-28

The coming annual meeting of the stock
holders of the Washington Gas Light Com
| pany Is attracting attention to the affairs
Of the company and to Gas stock, and
there has been much gossip of a more or
less interesting character floating in 1.-The
street" during The past week as a
consequence. Activity and an advancing
price for the stock has added to this in
terest.
The meeting will take place on Monday,
February 5. Directors will be elected for
the coming year. There is one vacancy to
be filled In the directory and many sur
misses as TO who the new man will be are
heard. There is also indulgence in spec
ulation over the possibility that a fight
may be made by new people to obtain
control of the company and force the re-
tirement of the present management. 1t
is known that those now in control of the
company are making every effort to aug
ment their strength Proxies have been
gathered in by them vigorously during
the past month or more. IT is not be-
leved, however, that they have any fear
of losing control. The rumor is still cur
rent that Mr.. Mclean intends to retire
from the presidency of the company before
many months are passed. II there is any
truth in this rumor it is suggested that
he may desire simply to be reelected by
a strong majority as an evidence of conf
dence in his management before he gives
up his position.
Two gentlemen have been spoken OF as
likely to be elected to fill the vacancy,
l.. q. Letter and f. c. Stevens. Mr.. Letter
is one OF the largest holders of the stock
of the company as he is OF several other
local corporations. Mr.. Stevens Is also
stakeholder, but he is chiefly prominent in
the business world as one OF the Washing
ton Traction and Electric Company syndi-
cate.
1t is suggested that while the election of
Mr.. Letter would be considered an excellent
one, 1t would not be in any way particu-
larly significant as indicating any change
OF policy on the part OF the company or
change of control either. The Letter suit
against the Metropolitan Railway is sup
posed to show that Mr. Letter is not in
sympathy with the Washington Traction
and Electric Company. and his election by
the gas company would probably set at
rest all talk of the gas company being alb
sorbed by the big syndicate.
Mr.. Stevens election. on the other hand,
would cause a vigorous renewal OF those
rumors 1t is known that at-the time of
the attempt to purchase the gas company
Mr. Stevens held considerable block OF
the stock and controlled more and II has
not been learned since that time that he
has disposed of his holdings. The question
If the Washington Traction Company was
the actual bidder for the company has |
never been settled, as far as the public is |
concerned, but at any rate the general be- |
lief is firm that the two concerns would |
have been very closely allied If the sale |
had been effected.
Gas stock advanced in price yesterday on
the local stock exchange to "a 3S. The |
level recently has been around SO. More |
than 500 shares OF the stock changed hands |
at yesterdays session. IL could not be
learned for whom the stock was bought, |
but the advance in price was considered
10 be an excellent evidence that the stock
IS in demand for election purposes quite as
much as for investment.