The Washington herald., 1910-07-30
ELECT SUCCESSOR
TO WESTINGHOUSE
Directors DepOse Inventor as
Head of Big Concern.
NO CLASH AT THE MEETING
For Months Trouble Has Been
Brewing and Action of Board Was
Not Unexpected-FrietiO Dates
Back 10 1907 When Concern Went
Into the Hands OF n Receiver.

new YORK, July Z9.-George WesuRB-
house. the inventor and head Of the
Westinghouse Electric and Manufacture
ing Company for nearly twenty-five
years. was removed from the presidency
Of that concern to-day at a meeting Of
the directors. Edwin f. Atkins. Of Bos-
ton. was elected TO succeed him. but II Is
understood that Mr.. Atkins VIII hold
office only temporarily. until such time
as the directors may be able 20 agree
upon a man who will I'll the place per-
manently
The action OF the board was in no way
unexpected. II has been known for some
time that there has been considerable
friction between Mr.. Westinghouse and
Robert Mather. who was put in as chair
man OF the board after the reorganization
with powers mat overshadowed those OF
the president.
For the last month rumors Of the more
or less forced withdrawal OF Mr.. West
inghouse have been particularly active.
AS the time for the meetings OF stock
holders and directors to-day approached
there was a great deal OF conjecture as
to whether Mr.. Westinghouse would
stand aside and allow a successor to be
elected. or whether ne would make a
campaign for proxies to bring about his
own reelection.
Not Willing to Fight.
Three weeks ago he put of a contem-
plated trip 20 Europe and went to his
summer home at Lenox, Mass, from
I a
| probably make some effort to retain his
place. Then. as time went on. It was
seen that he was content 10 allow things
| TO go as they would.
/ Mr.. Westinghouse contented himself
with Issuing a statement early this week
/ IN which he made II pretty clear that the
/ secondhand position in which he had found
/ himself was not at all 10 his liking
! Speaking Of his relations with Mr.
I Mather, he said:
Notwithstanding that the plan for re-
adjusting the affairs OF the company pro-
vided FOR the selection OF a chairman 10
| especially care for the finances. there
should have been a constant, proper. and
! considerable recognition OF my position as
/ president and Of my knowledge and ex-
! perience gained as a founder and man
| ager Of the company, but such has not
/ been the case.
"On the contrary, the chairman, within
a month after his election. on January
/ 70. 1909. embarked upon course the in
evitable effect OF which was to insure the
! existing deplorable conditions. which will
make II difficult while I remain president
Of the company 70 exercise the duties Of
the Office. except when specially requested
by the board. But. as heretofore. il will
be my endeavor to promote the interests
OF the company to the best OF my
ability"
Tried TO Eliminate Him.
Mr. Mather had also made efforts 70
eliminate him from responsible positions,
and this Mr.. Westinghouse said that he
had opposed.
In regard 20 the fact that he was not
present at to-day's meeting. Mr.. West
inghouse said:
Having agreed with the directors last
January to accept a vacation unit
August l. so far as official duties as
president are concerned, obviously I viii
not preside, and further. 10 avoid partici-
patton in any matters TO come before the
meeting. I will neither be present nor bC
represented"
The trouble between Mt Westinghouse
and Mr. Mather really took a serious as
pect for the first time last spring. wher
the president blamed the chairman fol
the part the company had played in tht
receivership OF the Chicago traction in
terests. Mr.. Mather called attention t.
the fact that Mr. Westinghouse was alone
in his opinion among the directors. o.
course the origin Of Mr. Westinghouse
retirement dates back earlier than that
10 the receivership Of the concern in oc
tober, 1907 1t lasted for fourteen months
for the company had been badly battered
by the panic of 1907. In December. 1908
the bondholders' committee put in Mr.
Mather 10 take hold OF the management
and the clashing soon began.
Officers Are Reelected.
Aside from the president. the same on
GERS were reelected to-day. They wer,
Robert Mather, chairman; E. NJ. Herr, L
A. Osborne, and Charles A Terry, VIC
presidents; G. w. Hebard and II. D
Shute. acting vice presidents: w. A Els
selstyn, secretary; T. w. Siemon, treas
urer and assistant secretary; H. F. Baet
and E. st. John. assistant treasurers
James c. Bennett. auditor and comp
troller. and F. E. Craig and w. B
Coville. assistant auditors.
The new president, Mr.. Atkins, Is
member Of the firm Of E. Atkins & Co.
, OF Boston, and has been a member Of tn
I board since the reorganization.