The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-10-22
STOCKHOL DERS OF NEW HAVEN IN HOT SESSION Former Congressman Hill Takes Active Part In De- bate Over DOings of
 Directors. DEMAND MADE FOR
 DIRECTORS MINUTES DOings of Executive Board Not Disclosed to Satisfaction of Small Stockholders Who
 Voice Protest.

Voice Protest. New Haven, Oct. 22-For the first l those present, the annual meeting of l the stockholders of the New York, New Havenn & Hartford Railroad l Company was not held in the little sec ond floor room in the Yellow Building today. Instead, in anticipation of an outpourtng of stockholders, Harmonic Hall, in Elm street, was used and seat ing accommodation were ample. Many of those present had copies of l the annual report of the company. This report in recent years had dealt entirely with the affairs of the par ent or steam company but the 1913 re- port is greatly ampIified. Not only are the accounts and balance sheets of subsidiary and leased lines, with moro or less descriptive work, are embraced within the covers.
 In this connection, it is recalled that at the recent special meeting, A. Max cy Hitler, of this city, offered a res- o1ution to the effect that the direc- tors be requested to make a state ment, in the annual report, of the to- tai receipts and expenses and income account of subsidiary and leased lines. The resolution was ruled out as not being gerTnain to the call for the meeting with the suggestion that it be offered at the annual meeting. The ampIfffed statement of the company meets everything called for by MT. Killers resolution. The ex- captions as regards subsidiaries, it is stated in the report, are those proper ties whose accounts are embraced in others already reported upon.
 The attendance was upwards of 400, mostly men, when President Howard Elliott called the meeting to order. A number of the directors had seats near the platform and on an easel was large map of New England with the New Haven system outlined upon it.
 The opening of the meeting was preceded by considerable hustle, as officers of the company found seats in the front row. Most of them had books or bags containing records or dent Elliott asked Secretary CIarse to read the call, stockholders were still arriving.
 There was a. long discussion when sought to insist that the minutes of the meetings of the directors and ex- ecutfvei committee be presented. Ven ner's right to take part in the meet ing being questioned, when it was claimed his name did not appear on the list of stockholders, he waxed very I indignant, and demanded that a, cor rected list be furnished.
 Other discussion along this line led former Congressman E. J. Hill, to take the floor. He said these dilatory motions could be carried on indef- nfteIy and six months would be- talk en in the proceedings if a stock vote was rquired on every motion. The management is fair, he said, in ask ing the stockholders to ask questions about the roads affairs. If the pre- vious question could be invoked he 1 % ~ e-%ar tactics
 Mir Hill called upon the stockhoId- CTS to ask questions frankly. He
 ttI am here to do business said MT. Hill, amid applause. 'I am here to look after my interests in this property. A great many people in Connecticut have their savings invest from the earnings of years of hard work. We want and want to help in the economical restriction of the company
 MT. venner said he agreed with many things MT. Hill said but he wanted light thrown on the company's affairs as a step toward restoration of the property to former prosperity
 MT. Venner's motion was laid on the table on motion of Rev. pr. w. A Beards1ey, rector of St. Thomas P. E. Churcoh, of this city, by loud voice vote
 why deny me a voice in the vote ?'' asked MT. Venner, which question remained unanswered.
 This action brought MT. Blakeslee's motion to approve the directors acts before the stockholders.
 James HilIhouse. of New Haven, praised the annual report but pointed out that no reference was made to the compensation of the railroad for carrying mails, which are now a bur- den.
 President Elliott thanked the speak CT for the question and said that this matter was being taken up by the railroad with the government and at this time no statement could be made the situation is complicated. Then he read a statement of some length detailing the progress of the directors, through committee. in Investigating the company's affairs. This was greeted with applause, long continued He said that the railroads were not getting adequate returns from carry ing the mails or for passenger and freight service, considering the wages which have to be paid, the demand for service and the 1uxuriance of ser vice. He said that not only he but the directors were receiving assur- ances from loyal stockholders who have the interest of the road at heart
 Governor Bu1keley reverted to the August meeting in which he had ob- jected to the method taken in placing a. bond issue. He said he had de- clared that the socaIled protective committee of stockholders was "a humbug' for he knew that in gather ing in proxies of stockholders and voting them as the directors wanted them voted that committee was not carrying out the spirit in which those proxies were lent.