The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-01-26
NEW YORK TOPICS.
MISS HOLMAN BREAKS HER EN-
GAGEMENT TO MARRY MARCoNI.

What l. the New York Central
Railroad Going to Do With Its
New Issue of stock, $4,000, 900
Lewis Nixon as the New Leader
of Tammany Hall - Reception
Preparations for Prince Henry.
Operations on Wall street.
New York, Jan. 24-The announce
ment by Mrs. H. B. Holman that her
daughter Josephine has broken her en-
gagement TO marry Mr.. Marconi comes
as the biggest sort Of surprise, not
only TO New Workers., but to Americans
in general. We were proud of the fact
that a man Of Marconfs greatness in
the scientific world had wooed and
won an American girl. 1t was well
known that the wooing and winning
OF Miss Holman We're almost as diff
ffcult for Mr.. Marconi as telegraphing
across the Atlantic, and, when he had
succeeded in his hearts desire, those
who know the girl congratulated him
heartily. Now, however, there is gen.
eral regret that the marriage is not to
be, and while there have been many
surmises as to the cause of the es-
arrangement, nothing definite is known.
All that Mr.. Marconi will say Is that
Miss Holman asked him to release her
from the engagement, and that, of
course, he complied with her request.
4 am very sorry and that is all l
can say" is the reply to all questions.
Miss Holmans friends, also, have little
to say more than that she is a girl
of remarkable force of character and
undoubtedly felt that she would not
be happy as Mr.. Marconis wife. Miss
Holman and her mother leave for Pa
lis to-day and will remain abroad for
several months. Mr.. Marconi will sail
for London this week, but he will re-
turn to this country in a month to es-
tablish his trans-A tlantic work on a
regular commercial basis
Still foremost in the public mind is
the question of what the New York
Central Railroad proposes to do. That
1t is going to do something is evident
from the issuance of $35, 900, 900 of new
stock, which, at $125 a share, will bring
into the treasury $43, 900. This stock
issue, by the way, marks an epoch in
the history of the railroads dealings
with New York city, since that is the
first time that the organization has
yielded in any important particulars to
public sentiment. But it is very evil
dent that so great a sum is not to be
expended in the mere reform of the
tunnel, which is the object of the pres
ent public demand. Seven million dol
lars will cover that. What will be done
with the remainder of the forty three
millions! Acquire the elevated railroad
system, some think. Take over the
rapid transit subway when completed,
others say. The men in power say
nothing of their plans but nobody who
knows anything of New York Central
methods will believe that forty three
million dollars has been raised for a
seven million dollar job. Some big
project is under consideration; and not
only under consideration, but so far ad
vanced that it is desirable to have the
money for it on hand shortly. 1t is not
likely that this project has arisen from
the tunnel agitation, though that has
doubtless FASTENED the railroad in the
matter of the new stock. There are
potent reasons why the New York Cen
trail should re-establish itself in public
favor by some great coup. So long as
1t was the only one of the great sys-
TENS with direct entry upon Manhat-
tan Island, it's posi- ton was impregna-
BILE. But it will not be long now be-
Iore the Pennsylyania-even under ad-
verse conditions a formidable rival
under the river. For a guess, the
shrewd directors of the New York
Central destinies are going to spend
that odd thlrty-SiX million dollars on
some Improvement intended to offset
the inducements offered by the Penn
sylyania; whether that Offering to pub
lie convenience will be in the line of
consolidation with the elevated system
on will be an alliance with the coming
NaQF mir fpan IVA oh "a xxyhn hSa
heads Of affairs are ready to tell us.
Speaking of the Centrals former i'm
pregnability to the assaults of public
opinion reminds me of a conversation
several years ago between William K.
Vanderbilt and a New Yorker of con-
siderable wealth, noted lineage, and a
reputation for keen enjoyment of life.
To him Mr.. Vanderbilt, after his fash
ion, was complaining of the hollow
ness of earthly interests.
How do you manage to enjoy life
so?" he asked, discontentedly. II can't
see anything in 1t. I've been every
where and tried everything, and there's
nothing worth doing"
Nothing worth doing?" repeated the
other man, looking him in the eye.
You might tell that to some people.
but not to me. I've had to ride on your
railroad"
What do you mean by that?" asked
the railroad king in surprise.
Just this, Vanderbilt" returned the
other. IF you wish to escape bore
dom for few years, just put in your
time trying to make the Central as
good road as the -" naming rival
system.
Mr.. Vanderbilt turned and walked
away. He never again mentioned his
boredom to that particular candid
friend. But it is not on record, either,
that he ever followed the advice.
Lewis Nixon has gone into politics
rich. But he isn't likely to be sepa-
rated from great deal of his wealth
nor is he likely to get much for what
Ire spends. AS the nominal head of
Tammany Hall young Mr.. Nixon is
just about as appropriately situated
as the palm leaf fan in Polar ex-
ploration party. The one great point
in his favor is that he has nothing to
lose and great deal to gain, but the
chances of his gaining it seem very
slim. He and the men over whom Mr..
Croker has set him have absolutely
nothing in common. He has served
no apprenticeship in politics. He has
never held an elective Office. What he
knowns about vote-getting wouldn't
entitle him to a sub-lieutenancy in
the surest of Tammany districts. He
is very able business man, (that' why L
say ne won't lose much Of his money!
and a very honest one, but 1t takes
more than an able business man and
less than an honest one to run Tam
many Hall successfully under present