New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-10
EDWIN R. HOLDEN RESIGNS
WILL RETIRE AS vICE-PRESIDENT OF
THE LACKAWANNA.

Since the resignation OF Samuel Sloan. less
than year ago, from the presidency of the
Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad
Company practically all of his chief subordi-
mates in the management of the road have fol-
lowed him into retirement. One prominent OFF,
Ger retained his post. Vice-President Edwin r.
Holden. but yesterday 1t was learned that he.
too had now offered his resignation to take eff
feet on March L. His action is entirely volun-
tary. however, 1t is declared by directors of the
company, the considerations assigned by him
as prompting 1t being his age-he is about sew
enty-the unsatisfactory condition of his health
and a desire to withdraw from active business
life. Mr.. Holden kas been specially charged
with the management of the company's coal
business. but for time much of the work
connected with this department has been turned
over by him to son. who is also in the employ
of the railroad company
The Vanderbilt interests are influential. if not
predominant in the Lackawanna company. and
long before the retirement of the venerable
Samuel Sloan from the presidency last March.
at which time he was made chairman of the
Board of Directors. 1t generally understood
that plans were in contemplation for radical
changes in the mana cement and policy of the
road, similar to the changes carried into
cution IN the New-York Central on the election
Of S. R. Galloway as president of that great
corporation. The first step in the consumma
ton of these plans taken when William
H Truesdale. then first vice-presdent and gen.
eral manager of the Rock Island road.
elected Mr.. Sloan's successor as president. Mr..
Truesdale, who is man in middle life, of vigor-
health and with energy and aggressiveness
usually regarded characteristic of Western
railway managers, is understood to have been
the personal choice of William K. Vanderbilt
for the presidency of the Lackawanna.
The men occupying executive offices in the
railroads management had long been associated
with Mr. Sloan and had grown old with him.
and very soon after his retirement from active
duty they, too began 10 sever their connection
with the road The first resignation was that Of
Andrew Reasoner. for twenty-eight years super
intendent Of the Morris and Essex Division. who
died only a day two ago at the age of sew
enty-siX years. In April Frederick H. Gibbens,
the treasurer, who had been connected with the
company since 1869, sent In his resignation, to
take effect June 1. Willis D. Hager. general
purchasing agent, who had been in the LacSa-
wanna service for thirty-four years; John Nc
Kenna. chief detective, with record of twenty
four years faithful service. and ". r. Storrs,
manager of the coal department who had been
employed by the company for many years. sent
in their designations in May
In the next month William F. Hallstead OF
Scranton, the second president and general
manager, who had been connected with the COM
pay since its organization rendered his Tesgna-
ton. which. 1t said at the time. had been
requested, although MT Hallstead denied this
report. William F. Holwill general passenger
and ticket agent, who had been in the employ
of the Lackawanna since 1858, resigned his
place IN July. Besides the resignation OF OF
fcials, of which a partial list has Just been
given, many employees in the rank nd file of
the service were discharged. so large a HropOr-
ton of them being we'll along in years
that the charge made that age h;nIJ had
been fixed by the new management. who, it
declared resolved
over forty-f1ve years old. This charge, lOwey er,
was promptly declared by President Truesdale
to be untrue.
Mr.. Holden, 1t may be noted. retired from the
Board of Trustees of the Consolidated Gas
Company at the annual meeting of that
poration last month. his place being filed by the
election of William c. Whitney.