The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-03-29

srRMIsEs GIVE HIM THE LEAD FOR
CENTRAL'S PRESIDENCY.

Central Railroad Directors VIII Meet
The second Monday in ApriI-Ex-
ccutive Board May Meet Before the
DirectOrs-A Meeting of the Execu-
five Board Was to Have Been Held
Two Weeks Ago But Was Prevent
ed by Chairman Spencer Turning
BACK to Attend the Funeral of Mr..
&. c. COster-Mr. Charles Steele Has
Token Mr. COster's Place in the
Firm of j. p. Morgan Il Co.
Little but surmses is vet 90 be heard
relative to the succession to the presi-
dencv of the Central Railroad and the
ocean Steamship Company, made vacant
nv the death of the late Hugh NJ Conner.
Most persistently, though tongues are
busv with the name of Vice President
John M Egan, and from the many express
sons that are heard, it is quite certain
shat his promotion to the important and
honorable position will be satisfactory.
Savannahians seem to be backing Mr.
Fgan strongly. Several of the officials
of the railroad have been heard to say
that they hope and believe Mr.. Egan
will be the man, while nearly all on the
outside. who have anything TO say about
the matter. think the success with which
he has conducted the affairs of his line
since he has been vice president will in
sure his choice by the directors as pres
ident
The board of directors will meet the
second Monday in April. 1t has not been
definitely announced that a president will
then be chosen, but it is believed that
such will be the case. 1t is not improb-
able that there will be meeting of the
executive board of the board of directors
10 precede the meeting and get every
thing shaped up and a slate for the Off
GERS prepared.
President Samuel Spencer of the South
ern Railway is chairman of the executive
board. Some two weeks ago there was
10 have been a meeting of the board and
Mr. Spencer was on his way South for
The purpose of attending it. He learned
Of the death of Mr.. C. C. Coster of New
York, however, and returned to attend
the funeral. That prevented the meet
ing, which has not yet been held.
The other members of the executive
board are Vice President Egan, Mr.
Charles Steele of New York and Maj. ].
f. Hanson of Macon. Mr.. Conner was a
member. The executive board exists for
the consideration of matters of import
of the, executive officers alone or that
they might not care to pass upon with
out the assistance or acquiescence of their
colleagues.
The late Mr.. c. C. Coster, whose dea h
prevented the meeting of the Executive
board was member of the firm Of
Messrs. J p. Morgan & Co, of New
York which controls the Southern Rail
way and the Central Mr.. Charles Steele
Of New York, has been taken into the
firm in place of Mr.. Coster. Mr.. Steele
is a brother of Mr.. Henry NJ. Steele, topo-
graphical engineer of the Central Rail-
road. Before this tribute to his ability
ffom the great financier, j. Perpont Nor
gan, Mr.. Steele was a member of the
legal firm of Seward. Guthrie & Steele.
No one in Savannah has an inkling of
what the directors may do. That state
ment is made upon authority. Two of
the local directors have said that they
are altogether in the dark, and ii is be-
lieved that the others are just as ignorant
Of who will be Mr.. Corners successor.
All that is said upon the matter is specu-
lation, and may be taken for what it is
worth.
AS the time for the meeting approaches
the names of Mr.. Egan, Maj. j. F. Han
son Of Macon, and Mr.. G. Gunby Jordan
Of Columbus, are heard with greatest fire.
Quency. Col. A. r. Lawton has also
been prominently mentioned, but it IS
improbable that he will be chosen, When
seen with reference 90 the report, he
expressed surprise that it had ever gained
currency and said that he would most
certainly not be the man.
General Passenger Agent w. A. Turk
and Assistant General Passenger Agent
S H. Hardwick of the Southern Railway,
will be in Savannah to-day, stopping over
on their way back from the meeting of
the Conference Committee of the South
eastern Passenger Association at st. Au-
gustine.
Mr. ]. w. Brown, Jr, passenger agent
Of the Seaboard Air Line, with headquar-
t7rs in Norfolk, was in the city yester-
day
Mr.. S. p. Collier has been appointed
soliciting freight and passenger agent of
the Atlantic Coast Line at Jacksonville,
Fla.