A few years ago Widener presided over a turbulent meeting of Metropolitan shareholders in Newark, New Jersey.

The proposal under consideration was the transference of all the Metropolitan's visible assets to a company of which the stockholders knew nothing.

When several of these stockholders arose and demanded that they be given an opportunity to discuss the projected lease, Widener turned to them and said, in his politest and blandest manner: "You can vote first and discuss afterward." Widener displayed precisely these same qualities of ingratiating arrogance and good-natured contempt as a Philadelphia politician.

He was a man of big frame, alert and decisive in his movements, and a ready talker; in business he was given much to living in the clouds--a born speculator--emphatically a "boomer." His sympathies were generous, at times emotional; it is said that he has even been known to weep when discussing his fine collection of Madonnas.

He showed this personal side in his lifelong friendship and business association with William L.Elkins, a man much inferior to him in ability.