New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-26
KNEW NAUGHT OF PROXIES
GEORGE J. GOULD REPLIES TO CIRCU-
LAR OF MESSRS. HAWLEY
AND HARTMAN.

There was a lull during the day yesterday in
the warfare of circulars and statements which
is being waged between Edwin Hawley and E.
H. Hartman the one hand and George j.
Gould on the other in the contest for control
of the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company; but In
the evening Mr.. Gould issued the following re-
ply to the circular sent out on Monday evening
by Messsrs Hawley and Hartman:
have read the very surprising circular of No
vember "a, addressed by Messrs. Hawley and Rar-
and Iron (,omnanv In some resnects it is a di-
rect misstatement Of facts, and in others an In
Several conferences were held, but with no def
mite results. AT of these conferences 1t was
proposed to ascertain whether a board could be
made up on an agreement with Mr. Osgood, as
Mr osgood after the conference @ of November
and was abandoned. as IT became evident that MI
Osgood could elect considerably larger repre&sen- &
tation than that suggested. The matter was thus
for the 'S; South n on an NoVember IL
No form whatever, either of circular or of proxy,
was shown to received my approval. The
gotiations and was not conclusive on any point
Whatever During my absence in the South 1
learned by wire that circular and form of proxy,
my, namee jointly with those Of Messrs. Hawley
Jhu hartman had been mailed 10 the stocKh9lutIs.
proceeding in a similar communication addressed
to TO- MeSsrs HsWley and Hartman copy Of which
In discussion with Mr.. Hawley on Friday last,
when he was asked by whom and under whose in
StTqcti9ns m the circular and proxy had been pre-
either but explained that instructions for their
preparation ton had been given TO counsel by third
Hawley later definitely disclaimed any recollection
1een the subject OF consideration at the conference
Ills circular indicates that he has been prevailed
Hawley circular states:
November p, Mr.. Gould proposed that the proxies
aready S & obtained sh9ud be divided between himself
that under the circumstances the proxies should
The quality of this statement will appear from
the facts The facts are that at meeting between
WITCH wnsIo Pierce wag presnf afa on hursday W
last the day before the interview mentionsd in the
discussion which would result from a return Of the
proxies, suggested that the proxies should be di-
dldates selected on the basis OF division lie
with Mr., Hawiey on the following day when
expressed myseif as wiling TO follow the course &
suggestion was not mine; my judgment and desire,
be retaTned also Requested d from % Mr. Mswey an
opportunity to see the proxies received. This was
/ never saw the Joint circular or proxy until my
re m be be 5e ao6 in E teH5 nS thSn 3 qte &
and proxies, which had been taken in excess OF any
from me- would, If permitted to stand, place in the
stricted use OF all proxies received including those
which might have been received upon the faith Of
been so warded as to be available to them as
majority Of the attorneys named therein. TO the
! believed and later development have con,
these proxies was, taken with this precpit9ton
lnCOnCiUSiNe state
public committai which il was believed I would
gested
Mr. Hawley would not discuss Mr.. Gould's
statement last night He intmated that there
might be further developments to-day, but
would express no opinion the statement
MEssRs GOULD AND osGOOD~ CONFER.
Whether or not Mr.. Gould will now cooper
ate with Chairman Osgood OF the Colorado Fuel
and Iron Company in the latter's effort TO retain
control OF the property is question OF absorb
ing interest 10 Wall Street The prevailing be-
lief is that Mr. Gould Will decide to take that
course. a belief greatly strengthened yesterday
when it became known that he and Mr.. OsgOod
had had conference in the course Of the morn
ing. Another conference was held late in the
afternoon at Mr.. Gould's office. among those
present being Mr.. Butler, Mr.. Gould's broker.
At about the same time Mr.. Osgood had num-
Der of visitors in conference at hts office
note was sent in TO Mr.. Osgood asking about his
conference with Mr.. Gould. He sent out word
that he had nothing at all to say about Colorado
Fuel and Iron. A like request for information
was sent in TO Mr.. Gould at his office, and word
was returned that Mr. Gould had nothing 10
say.
Although uncommunicative Mr.. Osgood has
since the breaking out of hostilites among the
big railroad interests who had previously been
been noticeabIy serene and cheerful 1t has
been understood from his friends that he would
have the support OF the Atchison. the Rock
Island and the Burlington. and the addition of
the vote Of the Gould holdings, II he should be
able to obtain II, would greatly strengthen his
position. Whether not he would then be able
to count a majority is a question which may
not be definitely answered before the day OF
the postponed annual meeting, for Mr. Harri-
man and Mr.. Hawley represent great and pow
erful financial interests, and they are men who
are not accustomed to defeat
Although the transfer books of the company
are closed II is currently reported that the con-
tending parties borrowing large blocks Of
the stock, with proxy attached to each GER
tiicate, and that heavy purchases of the stock
accompanied by proxies are also being effected
STOCK ADVANCES ON CHANGE.
The stock advanced in the first hour of trad
ing on the Exchange yesterday from S51k at the
opening, TO 81 the high level of the day. 1t
strong throughout the session, closing at 49,
net gain of 2 points. The general list sold
off the Gould and Hartman stocks especially
showing weakness II being feared that the i'll
feeling occasioned by the misunderstanding over
the Colorado Fuel and Iron proxies would event
ually lead TO strife between the Gould and HaT~
riman railway systems in the West and the
Southwest It is understood, however, eX-
cellent authority that these apprehensions are
in all probability groundless The Colorado
Fuel and Iron trouble will be fought out, but
there will not be added TO it the complication
of the rupture of the harmony long prevail
ing in the Western railway field.
Denver, Nov. 25.-The following dispatch was
received here day from John c. Osgood. chair
man of the board of directors of the Colorado
Fuel and Iron Company;
New York November %.
Iappreciate the interest Colorado friends take