The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1901-12-30

OF the late John J. Valentine as
president OF Wells, Fargo & Co.
- was ended yesterday with the au-
thOritative announcement that at
the meeting Of the directors, to be held
to-day or tomorrow, Second Vice Presi-
dent Dudley Evans OF New York would
be chosen the future head of the great
express concern.
Another and equally important an
noUncement was also made that within
few months the head Offices Of the COM
pany would be removed to New York at
E5e request Of Evans, who, although he
. eXpresses himself as well pleased with
the climate OF California, IS not particu-
larry DESTROYS Of severing friendships at
the East in order to accept the presi-
6ency Of the company and make San
Francisco his future home. AS the de-
sires OF the incoming president Will be
respected by the directors, all Of whom
hold Evans In high esteem. it is more
than likely that his wish in this regard
VIII be granted.
The news Of Dudley Evans selection
to be the next president Of the company
VIII be surprise TO the hundreds Of en-
ployes who had been quietly informed
Colonel George E. Gray and Homer S.
King. The name Of Evans was men
toned. but It was believed that he would
be promoted to be first vice president
only. The recent arrival Of Evans from
New York and the active part he has
since taken in Wells, Fargo & Co.'S af-
fairs caused some comment among those
who predicted the selection to the presi-
dency Of either Gray or King. 1t was
sincerely hoped by the employees in line
for promotion that one or the other OF
the gentlemen named would capture the
honor, for that meant advancements all
along the line. While the promotion Of
Evans to the presidency necessarily
means promotion for many, these will not
now be so numerous. What effect the
removal Of the main Offices Of the COM
pany to New York will have no one seems
able TO say with any degree Of certainty.
Evans Backed by Huntington.
Second Vice President Evans came to
this city with the Endorsement Of H. E.
Huntington and John J. NcCook for the
presidency. While many Of the directors
thought that the honor should go to Colo
mel Gray, whose services as first vice
president had given eminent satisfaction
TO all concerned, the Huntington influence
seems TO have been strong enough to con-
vince the majority Of the board that
Evans was the man for the place. It
leaked out yesterday that Huntington had
written personal letters to several Of his
fellow directors requesting them to sup
port Evans for the honor. Neither Hunt
ington nor AIcCook will be present at the
meeting Of the board, but it is said their
proxies have been sent on and that they
viii be voted in Evans interest. There
will be six directors at the meeting. They
are Colonel George z. Gray, Homer S.
King. Captain John Birmingham. Captain
Oliver Eldridge, Andrew Christeson and
Dudley Evans. A successor to Valentine
on the board Of directors must be selected
before the election for president is en-
tered upon. The name Of the man slated
for director has not yet been made pub
lie.
Second Vice President Evans left the
city on a business trip a few days ago
and returned Saturday night. Yesterday
morning he breakfasted with Solomon D.
Brastow, superintendent Of the Western
division Of Wells, Fargo & Co., and Ra-
phael Well. The gentlemen were togeth-
er for more than an hour and later in the
day Evans was in consultation with Off
Gals Of the company In view Of the fact
that the board Of directors is about to
meet, these consultations on the eve Of
the gathering were regarded as being
most significant.