New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-31
j. S. WILLIAMS RESIGNS.
". BARR PRESIDENT.
Seaboard dir Line Changes-N. S.
Mcldrim Vice-President.

Al meeting yesterday Of the board OF directors
OF the Seaboard Air Line Railway Company. John
Skei:on VII Jams resigned the presidency. and was
elected chairman OF the board OF directors. a
Office and James n. Barr, first vice president and
general manager. was elected president and also
general manager. Other officers were elected
follows \. s Meidrim, interpretations and treas
urer; D <. PortscHs secretary, and T. W. Roby.
controller J. William Middendorf was nominated.
but declined reelection second vice president.
and the Office was therefore not filed. The fol-
lowing members OF the board elected mem
bers OF the executive committee: Thomas F. Ryan.
T. Jefferson Coolidge. jr James A. Blair. John
shelton Williams. John B. Dennis, B. r Yoa-kum
and :. Davies Warf>+i Ever since the Ryan
Blair interests entered the soabosrd Air Line board
and voting trust several weeks ago. It has been
reported from unse 10 time that Mr.. Williams
would soon % succeeded by Mr.. Barr president
and would Re made chairman Of the board. These
stories have been dscredited by dr. Williams,
who as recently as Tuesday declared in answer 10
question regarding the reported pending changes
en- The official star OF the Seaboard: no resgna-
lions have been offered viii be" The official
explanation OF M WIIIiau7s's resignation Is as
follows; AT Williams had expressed his desire %
be relieved ~ the active management Of the prop
erty in order 10 give more time to his banking
terests and personal affairs. and It was therefore
decided amend the bylaws and establish the
Office Of chairman Of the BOARD. TO which Office Nj
Williams unanimously elected.
A minute in part follows adopted ny the
board Of directors:
John sseltoa Williams having this day declined
reelection 20 the presidency OF the Seaboard Air
Line Railway Company preferrtng for personal
board The directors cannot let this occasion pass
without expressing their appreciation OF the great
services which he has rendered during his oCcup
ton q ms nigh once Out OF a number OF dis
5Ointed and comparatively Improbable railroads
bis genius and energy evolved. il a wonderfully
hr1ef period OF time rev and consolidated sy-s-
of roads under one management. extending to
ell the Atlantic ports south Of Washington. and 10
NJ . q
ham and Montgomery the southwest. Under
his able management this system OF railroads has
has become successful and formidable competitor
with the older north and south lines. Under his
administration the earnings or the system have
increased from $4,000 TO more than sl5.oooG0O-
The new president OF the seaboard Air Line. who
IS widely known as one OF the ablest railway
operating officers n the United States, was born
IN Ohio on October Il. 1855. His railway experience
dates from ls7l. when he obtained place as mes
senger boy n the once OF division superintendent
Of The Pennsylvania BY 1873 he had become chief
clerk TO the general manager OF the Burlington
and Missouri River Road IN Nebraska, from which
road he went TO the Burlington vioe-president's
chief clerk Subsequent posts occupied BY him
we're those OF purchasing agent OF the Burlington
and Missouri River. assistant superintendent and
then superintendent Of the Chicago Burlington and
Northern. division superintendent successfully OF
The Union Pacific. the St Paul and the Great
Northern, and in November. 1885, general superin-
1endeut Of the entire Great Northern system The
latter post Mr.. Barr resigned in October, 1885, 10
become v1ce-presideut and general manager OF the
Norfolk and western In July, 1888. he became
third vice-president Of the Atchison. Topeka and
Santa Fe continuing in that once until his cleo
ton OF April Is. 1901, first vice-presidsnt and
general manager OF the seaboard Air Line Rail
way, in succession TO Z. p. St John