The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-11
Four New Directors Feel that He Was
Elected Director Under Miscon-
ception of His Attitude.
THINGS THAT TOOK PLACE THERE
JUST BROUGHT TO LIGHT.
Next Tuesday the Board of Directors
Will Probably Elect Fred Fahnley
Treasurer Of the Company.

Pressure may be brought to bear upon the
trustees of the Consumers Gas Trust Com
pany to request the resignation of A. A.
Barnes as president of the company and
member of the board OF directors. The four
directors appointed to represent the people
do not feel that they can. with propriety.
go before the trustees and ask that Mr..
Barnes's resignation be demanded, but they
feel that Mr.. Barnes was elected director
under a misconception of his real attitude
the trustees believing at the time that he
favored such propositions as Major Rich
ards, Mr.. Lilly, Mr.. Bates and Mr.. Atkins
had unqualifedly approved. The unre-
served expressions of Mr.. Barnes. printed
In the newspapers before the meeting of the
trustees. led that body to believe he was
opposed to the policy of Messrs. Frenzel.
Lyman, Scott and Fahnley and that in
electing him the board would be providing a
working majority representative of public
sentiment.
Mr.. Barnes's unexpected stand at the
first meeting of the new board Of directors
nullifed the purpose of the trustees and
enabled the old directors to continue as
they had undoubtedly planned. The new di-
rectors feel that Mr.. Barnes's position is
untenable, that he cannot afford to continue
as president of the company or as a direct
or under circumstances which do not reflect
credit upon his position. The purpose of
the trustees was plain, they feel, that
Mr.. Barnes cannot, in justice to himself
and the public, continue to serve with an
attitude diametrically opposite to that
which the trustees believed was his when
they elected him.
QUESTION OF POWER.
AS to whether the trustees have power
to compel the resignation of Mr. Barnes is
a close point. There is no precedent, either
way, 1t is stated, and their power in this
case would have to be derived from the
legislation which made the board practical
ly an absolute master of the affairs of the
concern. The new directors are all friendly
to Mr.. Barnes. and have every respect for
him, but they feel that under the circum-
stances he should not retain the position.
To support the argument that Mr.. Barnes
has no ethical right to the position of pres
ident and director of the Consumers Gas
Trust Company the story of an interesting
meeting held in the private office of Maj
W. j. Richards, president Of the Union
National Bank, Is given. The substance of
these undoubted facts Is that Mr.. Barnes
entered the meeting of the directors later
in the day, under tacit pledges to one
course of action. but proceeded to talk and
vote in entirely opposite course.
Major Richards. Ii Is stated, invited
James w. Lilly, Hervey Bates, jr., and III.
c. Atkins. with himself, the new directors
OF the company. to hold a conference to de-
termine the policy and mode of action to
be followed in the meeting of the board.
After these gentlemen had arrived Mr..
Barnes called by telephone from the Column
bia National Bank. Major Richards at once
invited him TO step over to the Union
National. When Mr.. Barnes arrived he did
not know that the new directors were in
conference to adopt a uniform mode of pro-
cedure to carry out their wishes but he ac-
cepted the invitation of Major Richards
10 take part in the meeting Major Rich
ards and the others feeling that they had
every right to expect the acquiescence of
Mr.. Barnes In their own views because of
his previous expressions. Mr.. Barnes ac-
cepted the invitation. sat through the meet
ing and expressed himself in favor of every
suggestion advanced by those present.
Major Richards. II is stated had pre-
pared a draft OF resolutions to be presented
TO the board. These resolutions were read
seriatim and to every section Mr. Barnes
gave his warm approval He stated en-
phatically that he favored clearing away
CONTINUED ON PAGE s. COL. ID