The New York Times/1891/9/27/Steamship Officers Resign

STEAMSHIP OFFICERS RESIGN.

Rumors of an important change in the management of one of the big steamship lines took substance yesterday when a tug, having on board the Hon. Carl Schurz, American Director of the Hamburg-American Packet Company; Mr. R. J. Cortis, the American agent of the line, and Mr. Oscar L. Richard, the company's passenger agent, steamed down the bay and met the Hamburg-American liner Columbia at Quarantine.

On board that vessel was Mr. Woldemer Nissen, the President of the company, whose office is in Hamburg. It was then announced that the resignation of Mr. Schurz as Director of the line and that of Messrs. C. B. Richard & Co. as passenger agents had been tendered and accepted, to go into effect Jan. 1, 1892.

It was subsequently learned that both resignations had been handed in last April, and that the company had expressed much regret in accepting them. The reason assigned by Mr. Schurz for severing his relations with the company is given as a desire to retire from active business life. Business reasons influenced the other change.

The firm of C. B. Richard & Co. is one of the oldest and best known in steamship circles. Since 1847 the firm has been in charge of the passenger department of the Hamburg-American Line, but has had no official connection with it other than that of agents who have sold tickets for the line on commission. R. J. Cortis, who will have sole control of the passenger and freight departments after the current year, has been and is the general American agent of the line. With an increased clerical force he will conduct both departments at 37 Broadway.

Since the death of his father eleven years ago, Mr. Oscar L. Richard has been the head of the firm of C. B. Richard & Co. In conjunction with E. H. Richard, who will become the junior partner, the firm will conduct an exchange, commission, and Custom House business at 61 Broadway. It is reported that it will also take a passenger agency for some of the other big lines.

Mr. Nissen, the President of the company, is accompanied by his wife. This is his first visit to America, and it will combine business with pleasure. He comes to inspect the local offices of the company and will superintend the projected changes.

It is understood that the office of the American Director of the company, made vacant by the resignation of Mr. Schurz, will be abolished.


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