Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-28
Action by Stockholders of
Local Traction Company.
VOTING TRUST DISSOLVED
Shifting of the Control to Owners
in This City.
PROBABLE DIRECTORS NAMED
Discussion in Reference to the Presi-
dency-Views Expressed by
Frederick c. Stevens.

Interest in the coming annual election OF
directors of the Washington Railway and
Electric Company is naturally one that
is attracting much attention of men who
are personally identified with the prop
erty as stockholders, as we'll also of those
who want TO see local enterprise of
such character under able and careful
management The stockholders of the
company the 18th of next month for the
first time since the dissolution of the
voting trust last June will have an op
portunity to express themselves in regard
to the personnel of the directory.
1t seems to be generally conceded that
a majority of the stock of the COM
pany is now held in this city, and the
shifting OF control from the hands OF men
who are not otherwise interested In the
city of Washington has taken place in
the last year or so.
Hostile Forces Agree.
In anticipation of the dissolution of the
voting trust and covering period OF sew
eral months dating from early last
spring, there was much talk of strug-
gle for control of the property, and at
one time various interests representing
large holdings of stock were in array
against one another. Recently, however.
there has been a coming together OF what
were once apparently hostile forces, and
at present there is no thought of con-
test at the coming election On the con-
trary an effort has been made which is
understood to have been successful, to
bring together all elements and unite
them on a ticket for directors which is to
he voted at the election next month.
So much progress has been made that
il can now be stated with confidence
1ho& Ii
and that it contains the names of George
II. Harries. George TruesdelL W. F. Ham.
Woodbury. Blair, William Loeb, jr., Ward
Theron and Clarence F. Norment.
Choice of Officers.
On the election of the board the choice
of officers by the board will follow. and
. while there is no positive statement yet
as to the name of the man who will be
selected TO fill the Office OF president, it
is asserted he will be chosen from among
the directors. With the understanding
that the president will be one of those
in the list mentioned. the prevailing
opinion is that there are several posi-
bilities in the list, but, as usual in such
cases. the probabilities are not as num-
>erous. In the first class are placed the
names of Mr.. Loeb. Gen. Harries, Mr..
Truesdell and Mr.. Norment. In the latter
class is first mentioned the name of Mr..
Loeb, for it is argued with considerable
force that If he goes on the board at all
of putting him there is to make him avail
able for the presidency.
However, there does not seem to be
any great anxiety or appearance of fric-
ton over the question.
May Enlarge Membership.
Gen. Harries lis now the vice president
of the company and Mr.. Truesdell is a
member of the board Of directors, and at
one time was president of the company.
Mr.. Norment is president Of the Bank
of Washington and is largely interested
in local enterprises and is looked upon as
possessing good executive abilities.
YNk+s. is some talk of charging the
memterahip of the board. but whether
thatN done or mot it is thought that
possiblA some arrangement can be made
BY which Gen. Arson Mills, large stock
hfesr|Tii be given place on the
i. ne attention OF Mr. Frederick c. Stew
ems, the owner of considerable stock. and
at one time the president of the COM
lpany, was <afied to the list of directors
1nentioaaH and his comment was that
s.ail OF the men mentioned are thoroughly
well qualified for the position.
Views of Mr.. Stevens.
ID speaking Of the general situation, he
saiG
Naturally. l am much interested in
everything of a local character, and this
company is so largely owned by Washing
tonians at this time that it has become
again distinctively local corporation and
therefore II should be managed and its
operat1ons controlled by local people.
II believe il it can be brought about. it
would be advisable to increase the
members of the board OF directors from
seven to possibly eleven, so as to make
the personnel more comprehensive and
far reaching. and thereby represent the
various interests. In the selection OF the
board care should be used in obtaining the
very best business talent the city pos
sesses. 1t is always good idea 10 select
men who have made a success Of their
own business TO manage the affairs OF a
corporation. a man of recognized execu-
tive ability should be chosen as president
and some one perfectly familiar with the
operation of similar properties should be
hired to attend to the operation and main
. tenance Of the physical condition OF the
property. thereby securing to the public
he IL