Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-09
VICTIM OF SOCIAL FEUD
FIsH'S DEFEAT Is CHARGED TO
WIFE'S AMBITION.

A dispatch from New York says: J. T.
Harahan, president OF the Illinois Central
Railroad Company, said that there will
be no changes In the operating methods
OF the road as a consequence OF his cleo
ton. He added that the road would con-
tirfle it's present amicable relations with all
connecting lines and would not prefer any
of these over the others.
The presidents Office will be in Chicago.
Mr. Harahan later issued a statement, in
which he calls attention to his more than
sixteen years of service with the railroad,
both in the operating and traffic depart
ments; declares that he was elected presi-
dent without any pledge. expressed or i'm
piled, ON his part, and asking the loyal sup
port of all the employees Of the road, as we'll
as the good will of the people along the
line.
In connection with the defeat Of Stuy-
vesant Fish as president of the road and
the victory Of E. H. Hartman at the
directors meeting Wednesday, 1t Is reported
that the former was made possible mainly
by the battle for social supremacy waged
by Mrs. Stuyvesant Fish, and in which she
incurred the enmity of Mrs John Jacob
Mr. Vanderbilt and Mr.. Astor, partisans
Of their wives, and bringing their social
strifes into the world Of high finance, it Is
surmised, voted against the reelection of
Mr. Fish at the lively meeting of the board,
and these two votes accomplished his de-
feat.
The two directors had been accounted
friends Of Mr.. Fish in preventing Hartman
from gaining control of one Of the most
valuable railroad properties in the United
States, but Hartman, it is alleged, skill
der chords of the social inharmony exist
ing between the wives of the two directors
and the wife OF the president whom he
wished to depose.
Punished for Wife's Ambition.
Under these remarkable circumstances
Mr.. Fish was placed in the position OF being
punished for his wife's attempt to gain
some high social distinction. with Mr. Van
derbilt and COL Aston, representing. as 1t
were, their wives, younger and aspiring,
helping to administer the punishment and
incidentally giving Hartman a rich prize.
According to report. the true meaning of
the opposition Of Col. Astor and Mr.. Van
derbilt to Mr.. Fish was known to the three
men and to Hartman, who had conceived
the plot. and no quarter was asked nor
given.
Mr. Fish, next to Mrs. Astor, In the rec
ognized leader of society. Mrs. John Jacob
Aston wishes to succeed her aged mother
in-law as supreme head of society. Mrs.
Therefore Mrs. Fish has done everything
possible to block the promotion of the young
Mrs. Astor, and the latter has let no OPP
portunity pass to return the compliment.
During the visit Of Prince Henry to this
country it was the ambition of Mrs Fish
to entertain him at Newport. She was
anxious for the triumph to advertise the
stability of her position as leader of So
ciety, and she told her closest friends of her
plan to entertain the brother of the EN-
peror OF Germany
A Prince Involved In the Feud.
Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt had met Prince
Henry abroad and had entertained him at
dinner on her husbands yacht, at which
the kaiser himself was guest Of the VAN