The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-05-17
JUDGE LEAKE IS
NOW PRESIDENT: /. S nj:
a Prominent Lawyer Major
Myers's Temporary Sue
cessor.
MAKES CLEAR STATEMENT.
Thinks Trained and Practical
Railroad Man Will Finally
be Selected.
MAKES CLEAR STATEMENT
]. be: be Selected :, e

AS predicted in The Times Dispatch
OF yesterday, Judge W. T. Leake has
been elected president OF the Richmond.
Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad to
act until the stockholders meeting.
which takes place In the autumn.
Judge Leake has been for thirty-five
years connected with the railroad. first
as local counsel in 1870. later as general
counsel in 1883, then as director in 1892
and now as president.
At various time during the absence
or illness Of Major Myers. Judge Leake
has acted as president OF the road, and
is therefore perfectly familiar with Its
management
1t is an index of the high regard In
which he is held by the directors that
he has been urged to undertake the
operation of the road.
When seen last night Judge Leake talked
freely to a Times-Dispatch man:
.'I am in no sense whatever candi-
date for recollection as president when
the stockholders meet, and / am quite
sure that the position will not be ten
dered me. l think, and. indeed. I am
sure that trained railroad man will be
the choice of those who control the sit
uaton. The directors have done me a
great honor In requesting me to as
sumo control temporarily, and appre-
cate their regard, but I repeat that I
am not a candidate for the positio
Stevens and Walters.
E5rWhen the directors met last night
Mr.. Stevens and Mr.. Walters were both
absent. They are both In Europe, and
the board did not care to&act In their
absence. Their advice will be most val
liable, as they are familiar with the con-
ditons In the South and the man they
recommend would likely be chosen as
president. In addition to this, Mr.. Sam
uel Rea, fourth vice-presdent OF the
Pennsylvania Railroad, and president OF
the Richmond Washington Company. the
holding company that controls the Rich
mond. Fredericksburg and Potomac and
washington Southern Railroad, Is about
to sail for Europe, and so nothing could
he DONE In this emergency was asked
TO accent the presidency temporarily
( "My duties will not be extraordinary,
for tho affairs of the road are In excel
lent condition.. Wo have Just finished
the double track as fartas Cluhnt1co and
for six miles beyond on the Washington
Southern division.
Agreeable to Virginia.
~ can state that the six roads that
control the stock OF the companies are
anxious to appoint man who Will be
agreeable to the state OF Virginia. and
MS n proof of this you will recall that
they. have made Mr.. J. Taylor Ellyson
state proxy, a director OF the Washing
ton Southern road so that he could be
in position to protect the States IN
i In reply to a question Il he had any
,dao who would be made permanent
president, Judge Leako said;
~ have no idea who will be selected,
nor do believe any one knows, not even
tho directors,
I'm my opinion twill be man skilled
IN railroad work. ] think Mr., Walters
VIII have much to do With the selection" !"
From other sources 1t Is learned THAT
Il is more than probable that an official
of the Pennsylvnhia Railroad VIII be sent
here to succeed Judge Leake, II ne
should Insist upon declining re-elec''o'''
--r----- {.