The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-10
.STOUP'S REMOVAL LIKE THUNDER CLAP Had No Intimation He Was to
 Lese Place SHAKE UP IN THE SOUTHERN w. H.. Hudson of the Danvllle Dl- vision Has Arrived and Will As-
 sume His New Duties
 Today.
SHAKE UP IN THE SOUTHERN

Without warning came the request for the resignation of E. E. Stoup superins tendent of the Birmingham division of the Southern.
 The first official notification received by MT. Stoup was on his return to Bir- mingham Saturday night from a business trip through north Alabama.
 The resignation is effective today, and w. H. Hudson, formerly superintendent of the Danville division, MT. Stoup's suc- cessor, has arrived on the scene.
 Superintendent Stoup stated that there had been rumors that the request for his resignation would be made, but that the arrival of the request was not preceded by official warning or notification. He was unable to state cause for the request, real or probable. He declared that he had made no arrangements for the fu- ture, giving as reason his being unpre- pared for the action of General Manager Ackert. It is considered probable that as in the case of former Manager M. M. Richey, Superintendent Stoup will be able to find a suitable berth, inasmuch as he is very popular and is regarded as a splendid railroad official.
 Superintendent Stoup has been in charge of the Birmingham division for only trihe more than a year. He was promoted from the position of trainmas- ter at Selma Since coming to Birming- ham he has become very popular here, and is universally esteemed as man of fine Judgment, and intellect There was much surprise expressed in Birming- ham when the rumor that he would be succeeded here by Superintendent Hud- son was first published in The Age-Her- aid yesterday morning, and much regret
 As stated, MT. Stoup was unable to give a cause for his dismissal It is reported that the action had some connection with the Richey case. However, Superintend- ent Stoup did not express his opinion along that line, although he ventured a statement concerning the possibility that his warm friendship for MT. Richey might have had something to do with his dismissal.
 Among Southern officials the reasons advanced in an unofficial way bear on the general retrenchment that is now the policy of that railroad. They state that the Southern is cutting expenses in every quarter, and that in carrying out it's policy it is sparing no one for sentiment tai reasons. As published yesterday, it is reported that the Birmingham division will be extended to Austell, Ga., that the Mobile and Selma and the Atlanta and Macon divisions will be combined If these combinations become effective it is probable that announcement of other su- perintendents losing their positions will be published in the immediate future
 One of the general rumors that is heard in connection with the affairs of the Southern is that the general superin- tendency located in Birmingham, and in charge of GeneEal Superintendent Hutch ems, will be abolished. However, this is considered rumor only The abolition of the general superintendency at Birming- ham would tend, it is thought, to deprive the city of the prominence that it enjoys at present, and the rumored move, in case the rumor grows, will probably be opposed by the commercial and public enterprise associations in Birmingham
 Superintendent Hudson, formerly of the Danvflle division, who succeeds Superin- tendent Stoup, is a well known official, and 1t is stated that he is highly re- garded among the official family of the road He has been with the Southern in various capacities for long number of years. He will assume charge of the local office this morning It is not known whether any other changes in connec- tion with the superntendents office in Birmingham will be made or not. Chief Clerk Brown. who had served the South ern for long number of years, resigned February l, and has been succeeded by l.. J. Stevens.
 In connection with the resignation of superintendent Stoup and his retirement rom the service, it is stated that the oldest in point of service of the many su- perintendents in the employ of the Southern has only passed his second- mile post.