SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
(AMENDMENT NO. ___)
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only
(as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to section 240.14a-11(c)
or section 240.14a-12
General American Investors Company, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
[Insert Name]
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
5) Total fee paid:
[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was
paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
(3) Filing Party:
(4) Date Filed:
<PAGE>
GENERAL AMERICAN INVESTORS Company, Inc.
450 Lexington Avenue . New York . N.Y. 10017
Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders
February 2, 1998
To the Stockholders of
GENERAL AMERICAN INVESTORS Company, Inc.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the annual meeting of stockholders of General
American Investors Company, Inc. will be held in the North Room on the
Third Floor of the Harvard Club of New York City, 27 West 44th Street, New York
City, N.Y., on Wednesday, March 11, 1998 at 2:30 o'clock in the afternoon, New
York Time, for the purpose of
(a) Electing directors to hold office until the annual meeting of
stockholders next ensuing after their election and until their
respective successors are elected and shall have qualified;
and
(b) Ratifying or rejecting the selection by the Board of Directors
of the Company of the firm of Ernst & Young LLP to be the
auditors of the Company for the year ending December 31, 1998;
and
(c) Acting upon the proposal to amend the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation to authorize the issuance of Preferred Stock;
and
(d) Transacting any and all such other business as may properly
come before the meeting or any adjournment or adjournments
thereof in connecting with the foregoing or otherwise.
The minute books of the Company, containing the minutes of all meetings of
the Board of Directors since the last annual meeting of the stockholders, will
be presented to the meeting and will there be open to the inspection of the
stockholders.
The close of business on January 26, 1998 has been fixed as the record date
for the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at,
the meeting.
This notice and related proxy material is expected to be mailed on or about
February 2, 1998.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Carole Anne Clementi
Secretary
If you do not expect to attend the meeting in person and wish your stock to be
voted, you are requested to fill in and sign the accompanying form of proxy and
return it in the accompanying envelope.
<PAGE>
GENERAL AMERICAN INVESTORS Company, Inc.
450 Lexington Avenue . New York . N.Y. 10017
PROXY STATEMENT
February 2, 1998
This statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation by the Board of
Directors of General American Investors Company, Inc. (hereinafter called the
"Company" or the "Corporation") of proxies to be used at the annual meeting of
stockholders of the Company, to be held in the North Room on the Third
Floor of the Harvard Club of New York City, 27 West 44th Street, New York City,
N.Y., on Wednesday, March 11, 1998 at 2:30 o'clock in the afternoon (and at any
adjournment or adjournments thereof) for the purposes set forth in the
accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Stockholders who execute
proxies retain the right to revoke them at any time insofar as they have not
been exercised, by written notice to the Secretary of the Company or by
attendance at the Annual Meeting.
The close of business on January 26, 1998 has been fixed as the record date for
the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the
meeting.
This proxy statement and the form of proxy are expected to be mailed on or about
February 2, 1998.
Proxies returned will be voted in accordance with the instructions thereon or,
if no instructions are indicated, in favor of the directors named herein and
to approve the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as auditors and the amendment of
the Restated Certificate of Incorporation to authorize the issuance of Preferred
Stock.
As of January 26, 1998, the Company had outstanding 24,039,178 shares of Common
Stock, $1 par value, each share carrying one vote.
A. Respecting the Election of Directors
At the meeting, thirteen directors are to be elected to hold office until
the annual meeting of stockholders next ensuing after their election and until
their respective successors are elected and shall have qualified. It is the
intention of the persons named in the accompanying form of proxy to nominate and
to vote such proxy for the election of persons named below or, if any such
persons should be unable to serve, for the election of such other person or
persons as shall be determined by the persons named in the proxy in accordance
with their judgment. All of the persons named below are incumbent directors.
They have agreed to serve if elected.
1 (continued on page 2)
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COMMON
STOCK, SHARES
NAME AND BUSINESS ADDRESS PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION*, BUSINESS EXPERIENCE BECAME BENEFICIALLY OWNED PERCENT
DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND AGE DIRECTOR DEC. 31, 1997 ** OF CLASS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Arthur G. Altschul, Jr. Mr. Altschul is co-chairman and managing member 1995 117,492 .49
Diaz & Altschul Group, LLC of Diaz & Altschul Group, LLC which was founded
(investments and securities) in May 1996. From 1992 to May 1996, he was
745 Fifth Avenue, Suite 3001 employed by SUGEN, Inc. (biopharmaceuticals),
New York, NY 10151 Redwood City, CA, most recently as senior
director of corporate affairs. He was assistant
secretary of SUGEN from May 1992 to May 1996.
Mr. Altschul has been managing general partner
of Altschul Investment Group, L.P. (a private
investment partnership), New York, NY since
1988. He is a director of Delta Opportunity
Fund, Ltd., Hamilton, Bermuda; Medicis
Pharmaceutical Corporation, Phoenix, AZ; the
New York Council for the Humanities, New York,
NY; and several privately owned companies. Mr.
Altschul is 33 years old.
Lawrence B. Buttenwieser Mr. Buttenwieser has been the Chairman of the 1967 740,177 3.08
Partner, Rosenman & Colin LLP Board of Directors of the Company since May 1995
(lawyers) and a director of the Company since 1967. Mr.
575 Madison Avenue Buttenwieser is 66 years old.
New York, NY 10022
Lewis B. Cullman Mr. Cullman has been president of Cullman 1961 17,695 .07
Cullman Ventures, Inc. Ventures, Inc. (formerly solely a holding
(calendars and catalogs) company) since 1968. He is chairman and a
767 Third Avenue director of Chess-in-the-Schools
New York, NY 10017 (charitable foundation), New York, NY. Mr.
Cullman is vice chairman of the international
council and an honorary trustee of the Museum
of Modern Art, New York, NY. Mr.Cullman is 79
years old.
Spencer Davidson # Mr. Davidson has been President and Chief Executive 1995 240,732 1.00
General American Investors Officer of the Company since August 1995; prior
Company, Inc. thereto, he was senior investment counselor since
450 Lexington Avenue joining the Company in 1994. He was elected a
New York, NY 10017 Director of the Company in September 1995. Before
joining General American, Mr. Davidson was the
General Partner of The Hudson Partnership (a private
investment partnership), New York, NY. He is
a trustee of the Innisfree Foundation, Inc.
(not-for-profit foundation), Millbrook, NY and
of the Neurosciences Research Foundation
(scientific research foundation), San Diego, CA.
Mr. Davidson is 55 years old.
</TABLE>
2 (continued on page 3)
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COMMON
STOCK, SHARES
NAME AND BUSINESS ADDRESS PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION*, BUSINESS EXPERIENCE BECAME BENEFICIALLY OWNED PERCENT
DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND AGE DIRECTOR DEC. 31, 1997 ** OF CLASS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Gerald M. Edelman Dr. Edelman has been a member and the chairman 1976 1,220 .01
Department of Neurobiology of the Department of Neurobiology of The Scripps
The Scripps Research Institute Research Institute since July 1992; prior thereto,
10666 North Torrey Pines Rd. he was Vincent Astor Professor of The Rockefeller
La Jolla, CA 92037 University, New York, NY. Dr. Edelman is director
and president of the Neurosciences Institute of
the Neurosciences Research Foundation
(scientific research foundation), San Diego,
CA; president and a director of the
Neurosciences Support Corporation (scientific
research support foundation), San Diego, CA;
a director of Becton, Dickinson and Company,
Franklin Lakes, NJ; and a member emeritus of
the board of governors of the Weizmann
Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel. Dr.
Edelman is 68 years old.
Anthony M. Frank Mr. Frank has been chairman of Belvedere Capital 1992 4,627 .02
Belvedere Capital Partners Partners since 1994. He has been chairman of
(private financial consulting) Acrogen Inc. (biotechnology company), Oakland, CA
101 California Street since March 1992; prior thereto, he was The
Suite 2050 Postmaster General of the United States from
San Francisco, CA 94111 March 1988. Prior to entering government service,
he was chairman of First Nationwide Bank. Mr.
Frank is a director of Bedford Properties,
Lafayette, CA; Cotelligent Group, Inc., San
Francisco, CA; Crescent Real Estate Equities,
Inc., New York, NY; Financial Security
Assurance Holdings Ltd., New York, NY; Irvine
Apartment Communities, Inc., Newport Beach,
CA; The Schwab (Charles) Corporation, San
Francisco, CA and Temple-Inland, Inc., Diboll,
TX. Mr. Frank is 66 years old.
John D. Gordan, III Mr. Gordan has been a partner of Morgan, Lewis 1986 5,179 .02
Morgan, Lewis and Bockius LLP and Bockius LLP since October 1994; prior thereto,
(lawyers) he was a partner of Lord Day & Lord, Barrett
101 Park Avenue Smith and predecessor firm from 1979.
New York, NY 10178 Mr. Gordan is 52 years old.
Bill Green Mr. Green represented the 15th New York 1993 2,310 .01
Corporate Director and Congressional District (east side of Manhattan)
Trustee in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1978
14 E. 60th Street - Suite 702 through 1992. He is a director of ClientSoft,
New York, NY 10022 Inc., Tarrytown, NY; Commercial Capital Corp.,
New York, NY; and Energy Answers Corporation,
Albany, NY. He is also a member of the New
York City Campaign Finance Board, New York, NY
and a member and vice chair of the New York
City Housing Development Corporation, New York,
NY. Mr. Green is 68 years old.
Victoria Hamilton # Ms. Hamilton, has been Executive Vice-President 1996 638 .00
General American Investors and Chief Operating Officer of the Company since
Company, Inc. August 1995; prior thereto, she was a Vice-
450 Lexington Avenue President from the time she joined the Company
New York, NY 10017 in February 1992. Before joining General
American, she was a principal with SRK Management
Company (a private investment company), New York,
NY from 1982. Ms. Hamilton is a director of
BioReliance Corporation, Rockville, MD.
Ms. Hamilton is 44 years old.
</TABLE>
3 (continued on page 4)
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COMMON
STOCK, SHARES
NAME AND BUSINESS ADDRESS PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION*, BUSINESS EXPERIENCE BECAME BENEFICIALLY OWNED PERCENT
DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND AGE DIRECTOR DEC. 31, 1996 ** OF CLASS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Sidney R. Knafel Mr. Knafel has been managing partner of SRK 1994 16,348 .07
SRK Management Company Management Company since 1981. He is chairman
(private investment company) of the board of directors of BioReliance
126 East 56th Street Corporation, Rockville, MD and Insight
New York, NY 10022 Communications, Inc., New York, NY. Mr. Knafel
is a director of Cellular Communications
International, Inc., New York, NY; CoreComm
Incorporated, New York, NY; IGENE Biotechnology,
Inc., Columbia, MD; NTL Incorporated, New York,
NY; and several privately owned companies.
Mr. Knafel is 67 years old.
Richard R. Pivirotto Mr. Pivirotto was chairman of the board of 1971 1,235 .01
President, Richard R. Pivirotto directors of Associated Dry Goods Corporation,
Co., Inc. New York, NY from 1976 until his retirement in
(self-employed consultant) 1981. He is a director of CBS Inc., New York,
111 Clapboard Ridge Road NY; The Gillette Company, Boston, MA; The
Greenwich, CT 06830 Greenwich Bank and Trust Company, Greenwich, CT;
Immunomedics, Inc. (biopharmaceuticals),Morris
Plains, NJ; and New York Life Insurance Company,
New York, NY. He is a trustee of Greenwich
Hospital Corporation, Greenwich, CT, a trustee
of the General Theological Seminary, New York,
NY, and a charter trustee emeritus of Princeton
University, Princeton, NJ. Mr. Pivirotto is
67 years old.
Joseph T. Stewart, Jr. Mr. Stewart has been an executive consultant 1987 13,332 .06
Corporate Director and to Johnson & Johnson, New Brunswick, NJ since
Trustee September 1990; prior thereto, he was a
147 Rolling Hill Road consultant to Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Skillman, NJ 08558 from January 1990 to March 1990. Mr. Stewart
was senior vice president, corporate affairs
of Squibb Corporation from 1982 until he
retired in January 1990. He was a director of
Squibb Corporation from 1984 until its merger
into Bristol-Myers Squibb Company in 1989. He
is a director of Liposome Co., Inc.,
Princeton, NJ, a trustee of the Foundation of
the University of Medicine and Dentistry of
New Jersey, Newark, NJ, a trustee of the New
School for Social Research, New York, NY, and
a member of the advisory council to the
Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA.
Mr. Stewart is 68 years old.
Raymond S. Troubh Mr. Troubh has been a financial consultant 1989 17,531 .07
10 Rockefeller Plaza, Suite 712 since 1974. He is a director of American West
New York, NY 10020 Airlines, Inc., Phoenix, AZ; Ariad
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, MA; Becton,
Dickinson and Company, Franklin Lakes, NJ;
Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc., Houston, TX;
Foundation Health Systems, Inc., Woodland Hills,
CA; Olsten Corporation, Westbury, NY; Time Warner
Inc., New York, NY; Triarc Companies, Inc.,
New York, NY; and WHX Corporation, New York,
NY. He is a trustee of MicroCap Liquidating
Trust, New York, NY and Petrie Stores Liquidating
Trust, Secaucus, NJ. Mr. Troubh is 71 years
old.
<FN>
* If the principal occupation shown has been held for less than five
years, additional background information relating to the director's
principal occupation is included in the supplemental paragraph together
with his or her other directorships.
** This information has been furnished by each director. In addition to
shares owned beneficially, shares as to which directors have or
share the power to vote or dispose are as follows:
</FN>
</TABLE>
4 (continued on page 5)
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
NAME Shares Percent of Class
- ---- ------ ----------------
<S> <C> <C>
Lewis B. Cullman 157,460 .66
John D. Gordan, III 308,973 1.29
Sidney R. Knafel 9,383 .04
<FN>
# Mr. Davidson and Ms. Hamilton are "interested persons" of the
Company, as defined under Section 2a(19) of the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended, by reason of their being officers of the
Company.
</FN>
</TABLE>
The directors and officers as a group owned beneficially or have or share
the power to vote or dispose of an aggregate 1,656,837 shares of Common Stock
(6.90% of the class). In addition, the Company has the power to vote 315,456
shares of Common Stock (1.31% of the class) held by the trustee for the
Company's Employees' Thrift Plan, as described below.
Meetings of Committees of the Board of Directors
During 1997, the Company's Board of Directors held seven meetings.
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors consists of the following
directors, all of whom are "non-interested" directors: Mr. John D. Gordan, III,
Chairman, Mr. Arthur G. Altschul, Jr., Mr. Lawrence B. Buttenwieser, Mr. Lewis
B. Cullman, Mr. Bill Green, Mr. Sidney R. Knafel and Mr. Raymond S. Troubh; and
Mr. Anthony M. Frank, alternate. Generally, for the Company, the Audit Committee
monitors financial reporting, reviews reports on the system of internal
accounting control, reviews the scope of the audit work, reviews fees in
relation to services performed by the auditors, reviews the results of auditors'
work, reviews and oversees responses to recommendations, if any, made to the
Company by the auditors, recommends the selection of the auditors to the Board
of Directors and acts as a liaison between the Board of Directors and the
auditors and management personnel. The Committee met two times during the fiscal
year, on March 12 and December 10, 1997.
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors consists of the
following directors: Mr. Bill Green, Chairman, Mr. Arthur G. Altschul, Jr., Mr.
Lawrence B. Buttenwieser, Mr. Anthony M. Frank, Mr. Sidney R. Knafel, Mr.
Richard R. Pivirotto, Mr. Joseph T. Stewart, Jr. and Mr. Raymond S. Troubh; and
Mr. Lewis B. Cullman and Dr. Gerald M. Edelman, alternates. Generally, for the
Company, the Compensation Committee reviews the operations of the Company and
performance and contributions made during each year by its officers and
employees, reviews management proposals for year-end supplemental compensation
and levels of compensation for the ensuing year, reviews comparable operating
and compensation data of other companies in the investment industry, and makes
recommendations on matters of compensation to the Board of Directors. The
Committee met once during the fiscal year, on December 10, 1997.
The Executive Committee/Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors
consists of the following Directors: Mr. Richard R. Pivirotto, Chairman, Mr.
Lawrence B. Buttenwieser, Mr. Spencer Davidson, Dr. Gerald M. Edelman, Ms.
Victoria Hamilton, and Mr. Joseph T. Stewart, Jr.; and Mr. John D. Gordan, III,
and Mr. Bill Green, alternates. In addition to functioning as an Executive
Committee with authority to exercise the powers of the Board of Directors in the
management of the business and affairs of the Company when the Board is not in
session, the Executive Committee/Nominating Committee is responsible for
identifying individuals who may be nominated to serve as Directors of the
Company, responding to inquiries relating to nominations to the Board and making
recommendations to the Board with respect to individuals to be nominated to
serve as Directors. The Committee met once during the fiscal year, on December
10, 1997.
Each Director attended at least seventy-five percent of the aggregate
number of meetings of the Board of Directors and of the committee(s) on which he
or she serves.
Compliance with Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires
the Company's officers and directors and certain other persons to file timely
certain reports regarding ownership of, and transactions in, the Company's
securities with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of the required
filings must also be furnished to the Company.
5
<PAGE>
Based solely on its review of such forms received by it, or written
representations from certain reporting persons, the Company believes that during
1997 all applicable Section 16(a) filing requirements were met.
Executive Officers
In addition to Mr. Spencer Davidson, President and Chief Executive Officer
of the Company, and Ms. Victoria Hamilton, Executive Vice-President and Chief
Operating Officer, information with respect to whom is set forth above, the
executive officers of the Company include the following. (Officers are elected
each year by the Board of Directors at its annual organization meeting in
March.)
Mr. Andrew V. Vindigni, 38, Vice-President since September 1995 and, prior
thereto, Assistant Vice-President from January 1991, has been a security analyst
with the Company since 1988. Mr. Vindigni is principally responsible for
securities in the financial services industry.
Mr. Eugene L. DeStaebler, Jr., 59, has been Vice-President, Administration
since January 1978.
Mr. Peter P. Donnelly, 49, Vice-President since January 1991 and, prior
thereto, Assistant Vice-President from January 1984, has been the securities
trader for the Company since 1974.
Mrs. Diane G. Radosti, 45, Treasurer since January 1990, has been an
employee of the Company since 1980.
Mrs. Carole Anne Clementi, 51, Secretary since October 1994 and, prior
thereto, Assistant Secretary from July 1993, has been an employee of the Company
since 1982.
Executive Compensation
The following table sets forth the compensation received during 1997 from
the Company by its executive officers and directors.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Pension or
Name of Individual Capacities retirement
or number of persons in which Aggregate benefits accrued
in group served Compensation during 1997 *
- -------------------- ----------- ------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Spencer Davidson President and $ 685,000 $52,200
Chief Executive Officer
Victoria Hamilton Executive Vice-President and 325,000 36,000
Chief Operating Officer
Andrew V. Vindigni Vice-President 575,000 32,994
7 executive officers 2,437,000 200,615
as a group
13 directors as 170,000 **
a group
<FN>
* The amounts shown in this column represent the Company's payments
made during 1997 to the trustee of the Company's Employees' Thrift
Plan, as described below, or accounting reserves established during
1997 under the Company's Excess Contribution Plan, as described
below, on behalf of the respective individuals or group members.
** Each director who is not a paid officer of the Company received a
fee of $10,000 as an annual retainer, a fee of $500 for attendance
at each Directors' meeting and $500 for each Committee meeting
which he attended in his capacity as a Director.
</FN>
</TABLE>
With respect to the Company's Employees' Thrift Plan, the Company matches
150% of an employee's contributions up to 8% of basic salary to the plan.
Company contributions are invested in shares of the Company's common stock. An
employee's interest in Company contributions to his account is fully vested
after six years of service. Partial vesting begins after two years of
participation in the plan. All employees, including officers, are eligible to
participate in the Thrift Plan after six months of service with the Company.
Employees whose annual compensation exceeds $150,000 are required to invest
their future contributions to the plan in shares of the Company's common stock,
and their existing plan balances will be converted into the Company's common
stock over the three years next succeeding the attainment of that compensation
level.
6
<PAGE>
The Company has an Employees' Retirement Plan which is broadly
characterized as a defined benefit plan. The Company contributes to the trustee
for the plan annual costs which include actuarially determined current service
costs and amortization of prior service costs. Retirement benefits are based on
final average earnings (basic salary, exclusive of overtime, bonuses,
commissions, pension, retainer fees, fees under contracts or any other forms of
additional or special compensation, for the five consecutive years in which the
participant had the highest basic salary during the last ten years of service)
and years of credited service, less an offset for social security covered
compensation, plus an additional amount equal to $50 for each year of credited
service. All employees, including officers, over age 21 commence participation
in the plan after one year of service and are fully vested after six years of
service. Partial vesting begins after two years of service. Participants are
eligible to receive normal retirement benefits at age 65. In certain instances,
a reduced benefit may begin upon retirement between ages 55 and 65.
The following table shows the estimated annual retirement benefits
(including amounts attributable to the Company's Excess Benefit Plan, as
described below), which are subject to a deduction based on a portion of social
security covered compensation, payable on a straight life annuity basis, at
normal retirement date to all eligible employees, including officers, in
specified compensation and years-of-service classifications:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Estimated Annual Benefits Based Upon Years of Credited Service
-------------------------------------------------------------
Final Average 10 20 30 40
Earnings
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 50,000 $ 8,685 $ 17,375 $ 26,060 $ 32,035
100,000 16,830 33,665 50,495 61,900
150,000 24,975 49,955 74,930 91,765
200,000 33,120 66,245 99,365 121,630
250,000 41,265 82,535 123,800 151,495
300,000 49,410 98,825 148,235 181,360
350,000 57,555 115,115 172,670 211,225
400,000 65,700 131,405 197,105 241,090
450,000 73,845 147,695 221,540 270,955
</TABLE>
For those officers of the Company listed in the compensation table on page
6, the following indicates his years of credited service in the Company's
Retirement Plan and basic salary for 1997. Spencer Davidson (3) $435,000,
Victoria Hamilton (5) $300,000, and Andrew V. Vindigni (9) $275,000.
The Company also has Excess Contribution and Excess Benefit Plans. Under
such plans, the Company may establish accounting reserves and make payments
directly to selected participants in the Company's Thrift and Retirement Plans,
respectively, to the extent the levels of contributions or benefits for such
participants under such plans are limited by sections 415, 416 and/or 401(a)(17)
of the Internal Revenue Code. Such benefits commence at the time benefits
commence under the related tax-qualified plan. Mr. Davidson, Ms. Hamilton and
Mr. Vindigni are participants in both the Excess Contribution and Excess Benefit
Plans.
B. Respecting the Ratification and Approval of Appointment of Auditors
by the Board of Directors
Proposal (b) set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of
Stockholders is the ratification or rejection of the action taken in the
following resolutions unanimously adopted by the Board of Directors (a majority
of non-interested directors voting in person) appointing the firm of Ernst &
Young LLP to be the auditors of the Company for the fiscal year ending December
31, 1998.
"RESOLVED, that the firm of Ernst & Young LLP be and they hereby
are appointed the auditors of the Company with respect to its
operations for the year 1998; and further
"RESOLVED, that such auditors be and they hereby are authorized
and instructed to conduct an audit, in accordance with generally
accepted auditing standards, of the financial statements of the Company
as of and for the year ending December 31, 1998; and further
"RESOLVED, that such auditors be and they hereby are authorized
and instructed to conduct a review, in accordance with standards
established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants,
of the interim financial statements of the Company as of and for the
six months ending June 30, 1998; and further
7
<PAGE>
"RESOLVED, that such appointment shall terminate (without penalty
to the Company) in the event that it shall be rejected at the annual
meeting of the stockholders of the Company in 1998; and further
"RESOLVED, that such appointment shall terminate (without penalty
to the Company) if a majority (as defined in the Investment Company Act
of 1940) of the outstanding voting securities of the Company at any
meeting called for the purpose shall vote to terminate such
appointment; and further
"RESOLVED, that the report of such auditors expressing their
opinion with respect to the financial statements above described and
the report of such auditors with respect to the review above described
shall be addressed to the Board of Directors of the Company and to the
stockholders thereof."
Ernst & Young LLP were the auditors for the Company for 1997. A
representative of Ernst & Young LLP will attend the Annual Meeting to respond to
appropriate questions and will have the opportunity to make a statement.
Stockholders who wish to submit questions in advance to the auditors may do so
in writing to Mr. Michael D. DiLecce, Partner, Ernst & Young LLP, 787 Seventh
Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10019.
C. Respecting the Proposal to Amend the Restated Certificate of Incorporation
to Authorize the Issuance of Preferred Stock
The Board of Directors of General American Investors unanimously recommends
that you vote FOR this proposal for the reasons set forth below.
This proposal (c) is to amend the Company's Restated Certificate of
Incorporation to authorize the issuance of preferred stock. The Board of
Directors of General American Investors unanimously approved the proposed
amendment which would amend the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation
to increase the Company's total authorized capitalization to 40,000,000 shares,
consisting of 30,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value of one Dollar ($1)
per share, and 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value of one Dollar
($1) per share. The proposed amendment would authorize the Board of Directors to
issue shares of Preferred Stock from time to time, in one or more series,
without action by the stockholders of the Company. In addition, the Board of
Directors would have the authority to establish by resolution or resolutions the
designations and the powers, preferences and rights of the shares of each
series, if applicable, and the qualifications, limitations, or restrictions of
such shares of Preferred Stock.
Approval of this proposal to amend the Company's Restated Certificate of
Incorporation requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares of the Company entitled to vote at the meeting.
Reasons for Proposed Change
The proposed amendment to the Company's Restated Certificate of
Incorporation is designed to increase the Company's flexibility to enhance
shareholder value. Approval of the proposed amendment would provide the Board of
Directors the corporate authority to issue and sell shares of Preferred Stock,
which would have such voting powers, preferences and relative, participating,
optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or
restrictions thereof, as may be fixed by the Board of Directors when authorizing
the issuance of such shares. The Corporation's primary investment objective is
long-term capital appreciation. The Board of Directors believes that the
issuance of Preferred Stock, during periods of low or moderating interest rates,
is a creative, yet prudent, measure which may increase the long-term total
return of the Company's Common stockholders. In addition, the pro rata
attribution of net investment income and net realized long-term capital gains to
dividends and distributions made on both common and preferred stock in the
percentages realized by the Company may enable the Company to obtain
particularly attractive financing from Preferred Stock in light of the lower
federal income tax rates on net realized long-term capital gains.
If stockholder approval is obtained, General American Investors currently
intends to issue and sell Preferred Stock on such terms and conditions
and as reasonably promptly as market conditions allow and may also do so at
future points in time. While the Company has considered certain preferred
stock structures, no decision has been made with respect to the terms of
any series of Preferred Stock that may be issued by the Company, except
that, in contemplation that any dividends on the Preferred Stock may be
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made quarterly (rather than annually, as is currently the case with the
common stock), the Company has filed for appropriate exemptive relief under
the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Investment Company Act"). No further
stockholder approval is required or will be sought for any such issuance or
sale or for determining the rights and preferences thereof. The net proceeds
from any offering of any Preferred Stock are expected to be used to purchase
additional portfolio securities in accordance with the Company's investment
objectives and policies.
Investment Company Act of 1940-Restrictions on Issuance of Senior Securities
The Investment Company Act of 1940 permits a registered closed-end
investment company such as the Company to issue senior securities, and to sell
senior securities of which it is the issuer, under certain circumstances. If
stockholder approval is obtained, the Company will not have any other internal
policy or investment restriction limiting its ability to issue Preferred Stock.
If such class of senior security is a stock, then the following
requirements must be met:
a) an investment company must have an asset coverage (meaning the
ratio which the value of the total assets of such company,
less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by
"senior securities" (as defined), bears to the aggregate
amount of senior securities representing indebtedness of such
company plus the aggregate of the involuntary liquidation
preference of the preferred stock of such company) of at least
200% immediately after such issuance or sale;
b) provision must be made to prohibit the declaration of any
dividend (other than a dividend payable in common stock of the
company) or the declaration of any other distribution upon the
common stock of the company, or the purchase of any such
common stock, unless, in every such case, such class of senior
securities has at the time of the declaration of any such
dividend or distribution or at the time of any such purchase,
an asset coverage of at least 200% after deducting the amount
of such dividend, distribution or purchase price;
c) provision must be made to entitle the holders of such senior
securities, voting as a class, to elect at least two directors
at all times, and, subject to the prior rights, if any, of the
holders of any other class of senior securities outstanding,
to elect a majority of the directors if at any time dividends
on such class of securities shall be unpaid in an amount equal
to two full years' dividends on such securities, and to
continue to be so represented until all dividends in arrears
are paid or otherwise provided for;
d) provision must be made requiring approval by the vote of a
majority of such securities, voting as a class, of any plan of
reorganization adversely affecting such securities; of any
action to change the subclassification of the company from a
closed-end company to an open-end company; of any action to
change the subclassification of such company from a
diversified to a non-diversified company; or of any action
to borrow money, issue senior securities, underwrite
securities of other persons, purchase or sell real estate or
commodities or make loans to other persons (all other than as
authorized in such company's registration statement under
the Act), deviate from investment or other fundamental
policies or change the nature of the business of such company
so as to cease to be an investment company; and
e) such class of stock must have complete priority over any other
class as to distribution of assets and payment of dividends,
which dividends must be cumulative.
The Investment Company Act of 1940 limits a registered closed-end
investment company such as the Company to one class of senior security which is
a stock, except that any such class of stock may be issued in one or more series
so long as no such series has a preference or priority over any other series
upon the distribution of the assets of such company or in respect of the payment
of dividends.
As of December 31, 1997, the Company had total assets of $707,451,000 and
total liabilities of $4,854,000 and had not borrowed any money. Accordingly, as
of such date, if it had been authorized to do so, the Company could have issued
and sold Preferred Stock having an involuntary liquidation preference of up to
$702,597,000.
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Consequences to the Company's Common Stockholders
Voting Rights of Preferred Stockholders
Except as described under the caption "Investment Company Act of
1940 - Restrictions on Issuance of Senior Securities," as may be provided in the
certificate of designations, powers and preferences establishing any particular
series of Preferred Stock, or as otherwise required by law, any Preferred Stock
would vote together with the Common Stock and holders of Common Stock and
Preferred Stock will be entitled to one vote per share.
As described under the caption "Investment Company Act of 1940-Restrictions
on Issuance of Senior Securities," if Preferred Stock is issued, the Company's
Common Stockholders may be precluded from approving certain matters for which a
majority vote of the Preferred Stockholders, voting as a class, is required. In
particular, holders of Preferred Stock will be entitled to vote as a class on
any action to convert the Company from closed-end status to an open-end mutual
fund, which effectively could veto such a proposal.
Leverage and Dilution
The issuance and sale of shares of Preferred Stock by General American
Investors is a speculative investment technique that creates an opportunity for
greater total return, but, at the same time, involves special risk
considerations that may not be associated with other investment companies having
a similar investment objective and similar policies. Since substantially all of
the Company's assets fluctuate in value, whereas the liquidation preference of
the Preferred Stock will be fixed and dividend requirements resulting from the
issuance and sale of Preferred Stock will generally be fixed (or at least not
related to asset value changes), the net asset value per share of the Common
Stock of the Company will tend to increase more when its portfolio securities
increase in value and to decrease more when such securities decrease in value
than would otherwise be the case. In addition, dividend requirements in respect
of Preferred Stock may partially offset or exceed the return earned on the
monies obtained through the issuance and sale of shares of Preferred Stock. This
is the speculative factor known as leverage. Under adverse market conditions,
the Company might have to sell portfolio securities to service its Preferred
Stock at a time when investment considerations would not favor such sales.
In the event that the Board of Directors of the Company were to determine
that shares of Preferred Stock should be convertible into shares of the
Company's Common Stock, the issuance and sale of such shares of Preferred Stock
might also reduce net income per share of Common Stock and net asset value per
share of Common Stock when these such shares of Preferred Stock are converted
into shares of the Company's Common Stock. The occurrence of any income dilution
of shares of previously outstanding Common Stock when Preferred Stock were
converted would depend upon whether the Company could, from the investments made
with the proceeds of the Preferred Stock, earn an amount per share of Common
Stock issued upon conversion at least equal to the amount earned with respect to
shares of Common Stock outstanding prior to conversion. In addition, if shares
of Preferred Stock were converted at a time when the net asset value per share
of the Company's Common Stock was greater than the conversion price, the
conversion would result in a decrease or dilution in the then net asset value
per share of the Company's Common Stock.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR this Proposal.
D. Respecting Other Matters Which May Come Before the Meeting
The Board of Directors of the Company does not know of any other matters
which may come before the meeting. However, if any other matters, of which the
Board of Directors is not now aware, are properly presented for action before
the meeting, including any questions as to the adjournment of the meeting, it is
the intention of the persons named in the accompanying form of proxy to vote
such proxy in accordance with their judgment on such matters.
E. Allocation of Portfolio Brokerage
Brokerage commissions paid by the Company during 1997 were $362,483,
including $59,904 (16.53%) paid to Goldman, Sachs & Co. The Chairman Emeritus of
the Company is a limited partner of The Goldman Sachs Group, L.P. which is an
affiliate of Goldman, Sachs & Co. Of the aggregate dollar amount of the
Company's transactions involving brokerage commissions during 1997, 13.29% were
effected through Goldman, Sachs & Co.
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The Company's general policy regarding the execution of securities
transactions is to select brokers and dealers on the basis of the most favorable
markets, prices and execution of orders. A certain amount of the Company's
securities transactions are placed with brokers and dealers who provide
brokerage and research services and in these circumstances the commissions paid
may be higher than those which might otherwise have been paid to another broker
or dealer if those services had not been provided.
Research services generally include receipt of written reports, attendance
at meetings or participation in discussions with respect to specific subjects,
such as a company, an industry or the economic outlook. Block availability is
also a consideration in determining the selection of brokers. The Company seeks
to utilize services obtained from brokers and dealers fairly with respect to all
accounts under its management. To the extent that the ability to direct
brokerage enhances its access to such services, the benefits are fairly shared.
In negotiating brokerage commissions on securities transactions, the
Company's trader, with his awareness of competitive rates, negotiates the most
favorable commission to effect a particular transaction. Size of order and
difficulty of execution are considerations in the negotiation. All transactions,
including the commission factor, are subject to supervision and review by the
Company's officers.
F. Portfolio Turnover Rate
The annual rate of the total portfolio turnover for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1997 was 32.45%.
G. Stockholder Proposals
In order for a stockholder proposal to be considered for inclusion in the
Company's proxy material relating to its 1999 annual meeting of stockholders,
the stockholder proposal must be received by the Company no later than October
5, 1998, and must comply with certain other rules and regulations promulgated by
the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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The expense of the solicitation of proxies for this meeting will be borne
by the Company. In addition to mailing copies of this material to stockholders,
the Company will request persons who hold stock for others, in their names or
custody or in the names of nominees, to forward copies of such material to those
persons for whom they hold stock of the Company and to request authority for the
execution of the proxies. The Company may reimburse such persons for their
out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection therewith. ChaseMellon Shareholder
Services, L.L.C. has been retained to assist in the solicitation of proxies at a
fee to be paid by the Company and estimated at $6,500, plus disbursements.
It is important that proxies be returned promptly. Therefore, stockholders
who do not expect to attend in person and who wish their stock to be voted are
urged to fill in, sign and return the accompanying form of proxy in the enclosed
envelope.
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GENERAL AMERICAN INVESTORS COMPANY, INC.
450 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10017
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints Lawrence B. Buttenwieser, Spencer Davidson
and Victoria Hamilton as Proxies, each with the power to appoint his substitute,
and hereby authorizes each of them to represent and to vote, as designated
below, all stock of the above Company which the undersigned is entitled to vote,
at the annual meeting of stockholders on March 11, 1998, and at any adjournment
thereof.
The shares represented by this proxy will be voted as directed by the
shareholder. If no direction is given when the duly executed proxy is returned,
such shares will be voted "FOR all nominees" in item A and "FOR" items B and C.
Please mark your votes as indicated in this example [X]
The Board of Directors recommends a vote "FOR ALL NOMINEES" in item A and "FOR"
items B and C.
A. Election of the following nominees as Directors:
Mr. Altschul, Mr. Buttenwieser, Mr. Cullman, Mr. Davidson, Dr. Edelman,
Mr. Frank, Mr. Gordan, Mr. Green, Ms. Hamilton, Mr. Knafel, Mr. Pivirotto,
Mr. Stewart and Mr. Troubh
[ ] FOR all nominees except any indicated
[ ] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for all listed nominees
(Instruction: To withhold authority to vote for individual nominees, write
the nominees' names on the line below)
_________________________________________________________________________
B. Ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as auditors.
[ ] FOR
[ ] AGAINST
[ ] ABSTAIN
C. Amend the Restated Certificate of Incorporation to authorize the issuance of
Preferred Stock.
[ ] FOR
[ ] AGAINST
[ ] ABSTAIN
D. In their discretion, the appointees are authorized to vote upon any other
matters which may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments
thereof.
Signature __________________________________________
Signature __________________________________________
Date______________________
Please date and sign your name as it appears above and return in the enclosed
envelope. When signing as an attorney, executor, administrator, trustee, or
guardian, please give title as such. If a signer is a corporation, please sign
full corporate name by authorized officer and attach corporate seal. For joint
accounts, each joint owner should sign.
