The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-09-06
 GOSSIP FROM NEW YORK The Rise of Thomas Ryan from "he Beard Member" to the Head of Electric Power, Traction and Light Syndicate
BY JOHN MARTHoL.

New York, Septemebr 1.-Two groups of t1nanciers are commanding public atten- tion by the vastness of their undertak- 1ngs-one the Rock Island party com posed of the famous Moore brothers Will liam B. Leeds and Daniel G. Reid and aheir friends, is led by, or represented by Daniel G. Reid. The other Is the Whit ney, Elklns, Widener, Ryan syndicate and its friends led, or is represented by Thomas F. Ryan-each Is operating along separate lines. It is well that each has dts own channel of operations, The Tor umer is chiefly interested in the expansion of the Rock Island system of railroads; the latter in electric street railways elec- tric power, light, etc.
 The, operatfons of the Reid party and the Ryan party mean as much In finance as in interstate and inter- borough trans lportation.
 The financial resources of the latter are a marvel of finance. It is due to the genius of Thomas F. Ryan
 Twenty-five years ago MT, Ryan was the junior partner or "board member bf the firm of C. B. Hoffman & O., ttock brokers. The firm was not one of the large houses, although its connec- tions were of the best. MT. Ryan was
  energy, close attention to business and uuickness. He was held In esteem as a pood broker After time the hrm ehanged its name by the admission or a new member, J. Bowers Lee. It became Lee, Ryan & Co.,, with c. B. Hoffman as special. It again changed to Lee, Ryan ,& Cutting by the admission of Robert l.. . Cutting. At this time came the oppor- xunity which showed some of the latent ability and genius of Tom Ryan as he Twas popularly called. Cutting was inter ested in traction matters or street rail- roads in a small western city. Its afr fairs were in a tangled condition. He got Ryan to go west and investigate them. Ryan went, reorganized the com panies and brought successful order out of runous chaos About this time in 1gS9 the Jake Sharp Broaway difficulties arose. Mir. William c. Whitney became Interested in traction matters with a powerful syndicate behind shim Ryan was the man needed. His services were secured. he resigned from his firm and actively entered into the new and devel- oning industry of electric street rail- ways. From that time on MT. Ryan de- yeloped a remarkable genius for organt- Eation, reorganization and finance
 Mir. Roots friends were surprised when they read the announcement that the new house, which he intends to build in a not ultra-fashionable part of the city, will come within the sum of $5O,00O As things go nowadays, this is about the average cost of a not very large stable of one of the big city mansions. MT. E2oot fs very rich, many millions being ret down to his credit l am told that his real home. however, will be in the in terior of the state. where he was born, and that he is planning a great estab- rshment there on the paternai acres and fbe big additions he is gradually mak- Ing to them. This is the thing nova great palace in the country and moder- efa town house The stately homes Of En~land" won't be in it with the stately houses of America, long before the mid t1le of the century.
 Four new plays from the Fitch Dra-