The age-herald., 1902-03-29
To Tender Resignation as Result
 of Friction Among Directors
]. U MABEN ID SUCCEED HIM
Understood That Retiring President and Some of Those Interested Could Not Agree on Policy
 of Running Company.

A change will take place within a few days in the presidency of the Sloss-Shef- field Steel and Iron Company. MT. B. o. Hopkins, who has been president of the company since August, 1900, will resign and Mir. J. c. Maben of New York, who has for many years been chairman of the board of directors, will probably succeed him.
 MT. Hopkins came to Birmingham from Indianapolis He took hold of the affairs of the Sloss- Sheffield Company in busi- ness-lilke way and has been successful in his management of the company's inter ests His annual report to the stock holders at their meeting in Jersey City last week made an excellent showing.
 The Result of Friction.
 MT. Hopkins was reelected president l but it is stated on good authority that there was much friction at recent meet ings of the board between the president 1 and some of the directors, including MT Maben. It is further said that this fric- ton began as far back as last summer and that it was the result of a disagree ament over policies touching certain large questions. MT. Hopkins, it is understood, insisted on conducting business along lines of his own, which he had conceived to be for the good of all the stockholders and he did not propose to continue in the executive office unless he had his way, Out of these early clashes grew rumors of his resignation. But time passed on and MT. Hopkins did not resign. When the discussions over policies were renew ed the other day it is said he notified the board that he would quiet the service of the company as soon as he had com pleted his report for the current quarter. E,. endorsed MT. Hopkins policy and the firm stand that he had taken, but the situation becoming more and more strained, the president decided that he did not want the presidency any longer. It is believed that the resignation will read so as to be effective on or about May 1.
 It is said that MT. Hopkins with his wife and children contemplate making a tour of the world, to be abroad for two years. MT. Hopkins is known to be a man of ample means. He Is conceded to be not only business man of high integrity, but of uncommon sagacity and executive talent. Personally he Is one of the most engaging of men, and there Is not a corporation president in the district, per haps, who enjoys more general popularity.
 We'll Known Flnancier.
 l Mir Maben Is wealthy and Is prominent l as a flnancier and being familiar with the Sloss- Sheffield properties will not be like a new man at the head of the com pany's executive department He has been planning for year or more to re- move with his family from New York to | Birmingham. The president of the com pany is required to live here.
 Other changes in the Sloss-Sheffield Company will occur. MT. Gentry Hill man. manager of the city furnaces. has rendered his resignation, to take effect tt ts- hot ATY Gray, manager of the companys prop critics in the Sheffield district, had re- signed. It is also rumored that Superin- tendent Culverhouse, in charge of the coal mining operations. has resigned. But these rumors concerning MT. Gray and Mr. Culverhouse have not been confirmed MT. Hillman said yesterday that he in- tended going from here to Pittsburg for the purpose of studying the latest im- provements in furnace construction. He Is conceded to be one of the best equip ped and most successful furnace men south of the Ohio river.