The Washington herald., 1906-11-09
SOCIAL ENMITY FATAL
Overthrow of Fish Due to
Jealousy OfWife's Position.
BIG RAILROAD IS THE STAKE
Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt and Mrs.
John Jacob AstOr Inspire Husbands
to Aid Harriman-NewDort Battle
Fought Ont at the Illinois Central
Meeting-Other scores Also Paid.

New York, Nov. S.-The battle for social
supremacy, which has caused a feud be-
tween Mrs. Stuyvesant Fish and Mrs.
John Jacob Astor. and betweeen Mrs,
Fish and Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt. made
possible the execution Of the long cher
ished plan Of Z. II. Hartman TO wrest
control Of the Illinois Central Railroad
from Stuyvcsant Fish. the longtime
president Of the corporation, and to Gust
him from his office.
Mr.. Vanderbilt and Mr.. Astor, parti-
sans of their wives. and bringing their
social strifes in.o the world Of high
finance, voted against the reelection Of
Mr. Fish al the lively meeting Of the
board of directors. and these two votes
accomplished his defeat
The two directors had been accounted
friends of AIr. Fish in preventing Harri-
man from gaining control of one OF the
most valuable railroad properties IN the
United States, but Hartman skilfully
and successfully played upon the tender
chords Of the social inharmony existing
between the wives Of the two directors
and the wife Of the president whom ne
wished 10 dep0se.
The true meaning Of the opposition Of
Col. Astor and Mr. Vanderbilt TO Mr
Fish was known TO the three men ard TO
Hartman, and no quarter was asked nor
given. Mrs Fish. next to Mrs AstOr. is
the recognized leader Of society Mrs.
john Jacob Astor wishes TO succeed her
aged mOthcr-in-iaw as supreme head of
society. Mrs Fish looks TO that posi-
tion for herself Therefore Mrs. Fish
has done everything possible 10 block
the promotion of the young Mrs Astor
and the latter has let no opportunity
pass TO return the compliment
Fails TO Get Prince Henry.
During the visit Of Prince Henry to
this country IL was the ambition OF Mrs
Fish 10 entertain him at Newport She
was anxious for the triumph TO adver-
tise her position as a leader Of society,
and she told her closest friends of her
plan TO entertain the brother of the EN-
peror OF Germany.
Mrs Cornelius Vanderbilt had met
Prince Henry aboard and had entertained
him At dinner on her husbands yacht. at
which the Kaiser himself was q gueest Of
the Nanderbilts. 1t was but natural she
should desire TO entertain him again and
she discounted and utterly spoiled Mrs.
Fishs plans boy forwarding an invita-
ton 20 Prince Henry. and receiving an
acceptance before Mrs. Elsa had "a chance
10 use the diplomatic measures neces-
sary TO obtain the royal visitor as a
guest.
Mrs. Fish deeply resented Mrs. Wander
bits actions and triumphs. and a cold
ness sprang up between the two women
"a fl
In a tactful manner Mir Hartman in
spired the suggestion 10 Mrs. Astor and
Mrs. Vanderbilt that the opportunity was
present in the election of a president OF
the Illinois Central Railroad. 70 strike
stunning blow at Mrs. Fish through her
husband and pay off social scores
II was then easy for the two wives 20
influence the action of their husbands.
and make matters Of finance subservient
10 those OF a social nature.
Works Along Quietly.
Il was also. however. necessary to pre-
serve secrecy. and il was not until Harri-
man was ready 10 spring his surprise that
Mr. Fish learned that he had been un-
dermined. He counted upon both Col.
Astor and Mr.. Vanderbilt as voters for
him when the board Of directors met 10
tlfNA a. blFNlQFilts anu IL Was not NHill
the meeting yesterday that their real at
titude toward him became known TO the
outside world
Hartman had a score of another kind
to pay, and az the same time an oppor-
tunitv 10 realize his ambition 20 gain con
troll OF the Illinois Central. which. with
his other holdings, would give him control
Of 23.@oo miles OF railway track. capital
ized at more than $l7o0 000.0O1
Fish. as a director and member OF the
investigating committee OF the Mutual
Life Insurance Company. had refused to
obey Harriman's order 10 apply coat OF
whitewash TO the directorate Of the com
pany. He was forced of the committee.
and since then Harrimans attitude to-
ward him has been of the not yet" ma
tme
Il was long time before Hartman
found the way. but the social aspirations
Of two women furnished him a fulcrum
by which To pry Fish from Office
Without Mr.. Vanderbilt and Col. Astor.
Mr.. Hartman could only muster six
votes out of the thirteen members of the
board OF directors. With them both he
had a comfortable majority