Daily Kennebec journal., 1900-10-10
DRAMATIC SCENE,
Meeting of Shareholders of
Grand Trunk R. R. Of Canada
At London, Scane of Exciting and
Rot Word Battle
B tween President Sir Chas. Wilson and Fx.
President Sir Henry Tyler.

London, Oct. 9.-The most dramatic
scene that ever marked financial
meeting in London occurred. this after
noon, when the shareholders of the
Grand Trunk Railroad of Canada, as
sembed TO hear the yearly report of
directors. The meeting p1Eressed
smoothly while the president of the
Grand Trunk Railroad. Sir Charles
Rivers Wilson formerly comptroller
general of the national debt office) de-
tailed the improvements made in the
line, congratulated the shareholders
on the increase of revenue which pro-
vided for reorganization of the Chicago
< Grand Trunk of Canada Company.
After outlining the proposition Sir
Charles said he had received a letter
from Sir Henry W. Tyler, former pres
ident of the road, expressing disap-
proval of the reorganization, and asking
that the letter be read before the meet
ing. While in passion, Sir Charles
declared that the vile language employ
ed by Sir Henry justified him in put
ting it in the fire. The president of the
road continued his denunciation of the
former president until there was
scene OF great OlSpFter- ana tIleI tiltIe
arose cry of Tyler is here"
A moment of dead silence reigned and
between rows of astonished sharehold-
ers the venerable figure Of eXPres-
dent Taylor was seen walking toward
the directors rostrum.
Sir Charles recovered his composure
and said:
Tyler, stand up. You have vilifed
us: and repeat before us all the charges
you have made"
Cheers and groans greeted Sir Henry
W. Tyler. who maintained that the
Chicago Grand Trunk was owned and
controlled by the Canadian Grand
Trunk, and that, therefore, the direct
ors We're making false pretenses when
they reported that reorganization as a
transaction between two independent
concerns.
Continuing, Sir Henry asserted that
the scheme involved the reputation by
President Wilson of the Chicago second
mortgage bonds, which, he asserted.
We're cut down from five to four per
cent BE honest shouted Sir Henry
Tyler, Don't repudiate them
Amidst roar of Kisses and jeers, the
NtlIIC u t0li i1tIll w SiS hipN iit1tA, pAs
he continued waving his arms and
shouting inaudible charges against Sir
Charles. who, in eqally heated lam
guage. absolutely denied Sir Henry's
allegations and abused his adminstra-
tiOn.
The extraordinary spectacle was pre-
sented Of the president and expresi-
dent of great railroad. both we'll
known financers standing before a
ho-ling audience. both of them shout
ing at once and neither speaker being
audible.
1t was only when several persons
stcppe d forward with the intention of
hustlnE Sir Henry out Of the room
that he subsiGad.
The meeting then. by a large major
ity. approved the directors plan tO re-
organize the Chicago Grand Trunk
with a guarantee of the interest on the
base to be issued by the new company.
The meeting also gave Sir Charles
vote of thanks.
During the course Of report. the pres
dent urged the share holders to per
.ist in improving the line. He added
hat the surplus earnings of thu cen
trail Vermont road would, for the pres
ent be applied to this purpose.
President Wilson also expressed the
belief that the Pan American cxposi-
ton at Buffalo would greatly add to
the business of the road, but he fur
ther remarked, he considered it doubt
full if the expenses of the road, in view
of the labor troubles in the United
states would be reduced during the
wear