The sun., 1919-08-28
'RUMOR MTTTEN MAY
HEADI.R. T. DENIED
marlborough Directors Know
Of No Move to Replace
Shonts.
LATTER rs RECOVERING
Morgan's Office Has Heard of
No Plan to Bring Phila-
delphian Here.

FINANCIAL Circles were aroused yes
terday by a circumstantial story from
Philadelphia that Thomas e. Mitten.
head Of the Philadelphia Rapid Transit
Company, had been asked by the imam
cial hackers OF the Interborough Rapid
Transit Company to succeed Theodore
P. Shonts as president, with full power
to effect a sweeping reorganization and
to carry out O plan for q merger Of all
the elevated. subway and surface lines
in the city.
Denials Of the story came from all
sides. This official statement was issued
by Horace M. Fisher from the INTERIOR
ough offices:
II am a member OF the board Of direc-
tors as well as secretary Of the board
itself, and as such have been present at
all meetings Mr. Shonts has not re-
signed. has expressed no intention OF
resigning and his resignation has never
been requested or even discussed by the
directorR
There has never been any mention OF
Mr.. Mitten's name as the possible Sue
cessor Of Mr.. Shonts nor has the illness
OF Mr.. Shonts ever been deemed serious
enough by tho directors to cause even
the most informal mention Of the posi-
bility OF vacancy In the presidency OF
the Interboroush Rapid Transit Com
pany."
Mr.. Mitten was placed in control of
the Philadelphia traction system In 1910
by E. T. Stotesbury OF J. p. Morgan &
Co, who brought him from Chicago, and
the inference In the story was that the
same financial influences were planning
TO bring him to New York city.
Mr.. Morgan is on his way to Europe
but at his offices it was said that moth
ing had been heard there of any offer
made TO Mr. Mtten. An officer of the
firm said he did not believe there was
any foundation for the report
Thomas Dewitt Cuyler OF Philadelphia,
director OF the PETERBOROUGH, said to
THE SUN correspondent at Bar Harbor
last night: There is absolutely no
foundation for any such report"
No less emphatic was the denial OF
E. ]. Berwind, one of the most infiuen-
tial of the members of the marlborough
board.
Mr.. Shonts has not resigned" he
said, land so far as know has no
intention of resigninx. Mr.. Mitten's
name has not been mentioned in con-
nection with the office OF president Of the
company"
In Philadelphia It was stated that
Mr.. Mitten was on a yachting trip and
could not be reached. His secretary
declared that II there was anything at
all in the story he was in absolute igno-
rance OF it.
Mr.. Shonts has been seriously ill for
some time. all hope or his recovery hav-
ing been given up at one time. He has
been improving recently, however An
operation to provide better drainage for
the wound caused by a major operation
some weeks ago was performed on Tues
day. Yesterday II was said the i'm
provement has been Immediate and
marked, and that while the patient was
still very sick man he was now in
no immediate danger.
HedIey In Charge Now.
During the illness Of Mr.. shonts the
affairs Of the company have been man
aged by Vice-Presdent Hedley and
James i. Quackenbush. general coun-
sci. A man close to the traction inter-
ests said last night:
Il am positive there Is nothing In this
story from Philadelphia Mr.. Shonts and
Mr.. Hedley are both strong with the di-
rectors Of the marlborough and believe
will remain as long as they may desire
to do so. Hedley is the greatest operat-
ing man in the country and could not be
replaced. He was brought here by Mr.
Shonts, who. in my opinion. would not
be permitted TO resign unless he abso-
lutely demanded his release on the
ground of I'll health"
Mr.. Mitten, the Philadelphia people be-
lieve, is a wizard In the traction field be-
In oka
late system. harassed by constant
strikes. lacking the confidence of the
public and on the verge of bankruptcy,
onto per cent dividend basis with a
body OF local employees and the COM
mendation Of its patrons.
Only last week he astonlshed the finan-
ciers by declaring cent fare was
enough and he would take no part In the
general demand for an increase. what
We want" he declared, "are more rides
at cents rather than less riders at an
increased fare" HIS idea is that the
employees can act as statesmen for the
company.