As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 19, 1999
Registration No. 333-
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
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FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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Western Resources, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Kansas 48-0290150
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
818 Kansas Avenue
Topeka, Kansas 66612
(785) 575-6300
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area
code, of registrant's principal executive offices)
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Richard D. Terrill William B. Moore
Vice President, Law and Acting Executive Vice President, Chief
Corporate Secretary Financial Officer and Treasurer
Western Resources, Inc. Western Resources, Inc.
Topeka, Kansas 66612 Topeka, Kansas 66612
(785) 575-6322 (785) 575-6369
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
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Copies to:
Gary W. Wolf
Cahill Gordon & Reindel
80 Pine Street
New York, New York 10005
(212) 701-3000
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Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time
to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. |_|
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box. |X|
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. |_|
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. |_|
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. |_|
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CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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Title of each class Amount to be Proposed maximum Proposed maximum Amount of
of securities to be registered offering aggregate offering registration fee (2)
registered price per unit (1) price (1)
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Common Stock ($5.00 par value) 4,000,000 $25.875 $103,500,000 $28,773
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(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee and
based on the average of the high and low prices reported for the common
stock of Western Resources, Inc. on April 9, 1999, which was $25.875 per
share, as reported on the consolidated reporting system of the New York
Stock Exchange.
(2) The registration fee paid herewith relates to 4,000,000 new shares of
common stock being registered hereunder. The remaining number of shares of
common stock included in this registration statement (163,828 shares at a
proposed maximum aggregate offering price of $4,957,007) relate to
Registration Statement No. 33-62375 (see below) for which a registration
fee of $1,709 was paid at the time of filing.
Pursuant to Rule 429 of the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration
Statement also relates to 163,828 shares of common stock registered under
Registration Statement No. 33-62375 and this constitutes Post-Effective
Amendment No. 1 to such Registration Statement.
The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates
as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file
a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement
shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the
Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become
effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a),
may determine.
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<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS
WESTERN RESOURCES, INC.
DIRECT STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
This plan is being offered to shareholders of Western Resources, Inc. Our
Direct Stock Purchase Plan provides investors with a convenient and economical
method of purchasing shares of Western Resources common stock, which is listed
on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "WR." This plan replaces our
current Direct Stock Purchase Plan and current participants in that plan will
automatically continue in the new plan.
The plan features include:
o You may reinvest all or a portion of your cash dividends in additional
shares of common stock.
o You may purchase additional shares of common stock up to $10,000 per month,
with a minimum investment of $50. Optional cash investments in excess of
$10,000 may be made with prior written permission from us.
o Persons not presently owning shares of common stock may become participants
by making an initial cash investment for the purchase of common stock of
not less than $250 and not more than $10,000 per month, with prior written
permission from us.
o Holders of common stock held by brokers or nominees may participate in the
plan. Brokers or nominees may reinvest dividends and make optional cash
investments on behalf of beneficial owners.
o Common stock purchased from us may be priced at a discount from recent
market prices. The initial discount is expected to be 2 percent, but may
vary from 0 to 3 percent. No discount will be available for common stock
purchased in the open market or privately negotiated transactions.
o Dividends are calculated on all full and fractional shares of common stock
in the plan.
o You may deposit your common stock certificates, at no cost, into the plan
for safekeeping.
o You may direct us to transfer, at no cost, all or a portion of your shares
of common stock in the plan.
o You may sell shares held by the plan.
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The price of shares of common stock purchased under the plan will be either
(a) the average cost of all shares purchased for the applicable investment date,
if purchased on the open market or by negotiated transaction, (b) the average of
the high and low sales prices of the shares of common stock for the applicable
investment date, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange, less any applicable
discount, if purchased from us, or (c) for shares purchased under the request
for waiver, the average of the daily high and low sales prices of the common
stock as reported on the NYSE for the twelve trading days immediately preceding
the applicable waiver investment date. A trading date means a day on which
trading in common stock is reported on the NYSE. The closing price of the common
stock on April 9, 1999, as shown on the New York Stock Exchange Consolidated
Tape, was $25.875 per share. This prospectus relates to 4,163,868 shares of
common stock offered for purchase under the plan.
These securities have not been approved or disapproved by the Securities and
Exchange Commission or any state securities commission nor has the Commission or
any state securities commission passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this
prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is April 19, 1999.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Available Information....................... 2 Sale of Shares........................................ 12
Forward-Looking Statements.................. 3 Stock Certificates.................................... 13
Documents Incorporated by Reference......... 3 Certificate Safekeeping............................... 13
Who Administers the Plan?................... 5 Transfer of Shares Held in the Plan................... 13
Common Questions about the Plan............. 5 Changing Your Plan Options............................ 13
Who Pays the Plan's Costs?.................. 9 Tax Consequences of Participation in the Plan......... 14
Plan Enrollment............................. 9 Stock Splits, Stock Dividends and Rights Offerings.... 14
Employee Enrollment......................... 9 Voting Rights......................................... 14
Dividend Reinvestment Options............... 10 Limitations on Liability.............................. 15
Optional Cash Purchase...................... 10 Changes to the Plan................................... 15
Refunds of Initial Investments and The Company........................................... 15
Optional Cash Purchasers............... 11 Use of Proceeds....................................... 15
Returned Checks............................. 11 Experts............................................... 15
Purchase of Shares.......................... 11 Legal Opinions........................................ 16
Automatic Electronic Investment............. 12 No Other Representations.............................. 16
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AVAILABLE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other
information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file at the
SEC's public reference room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington D.C. 20549,
and at the following Regional Offices of the Commission: New York Regional
Office, 75 Park Place, 14th Floor, New York, New York 10007; and Chicago
Regional Office, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois
60661-2511. Copies of such material can be obtained at prescribed rates from the
Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further
information on the public reference room. The SEC maintains an internet site at
http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and
other information regarding issuers, including Western Resources, that file
documents with the SEC electronically. Our filings may also be obtained from our
web site at http://www.wr.com
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Reports, proxy
material and other information concerning Western Resources may be inspected at
the offices of The New York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New
York 10005. We will provide without charge to each person to whom a copy of this
prospectus is delivered, on the request of any such person, a copy of any or all
of the documents incorporated herein by reference, other than exhibits to such
documents, unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference in
such documents. Written or telephone requests for such copies should be directed
to: Western Resources, Inc. c/o Shareholder Services, 818 South Kansas Avenue,
Topeka, Kansas 66612, telephone (785) 575-6394.
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
We make statements in this prospectus and the documents we incorporate by
reference that are considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of
the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Sometimes
these statements will contain words such as "believes," "expects," "intends,"
"plans" and other similar words. These statements are not guarantees of our
future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other important
factors that could cause our actual performance or achievements to be materially
different from those we project.
These risks, uncertainties and factors include:
o general, economic, business and regulatory conditions;
o energy supply and demand;
o competition;
o federal and state regulations;
o availability, terms and use of capital;
o nuclear and environmental issues;
o weather;
o industry restructuring and cost recovery, including the potential
effect of stranded costs; and
o year 2000 readiness.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we file
with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by
referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is
considered to be part of this prospectus, and later information that we filed
with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We
incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made
with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 until we sell all the common stock. We expressly exclude from such
incorporation the Report of the Compensation Committee and the Performance Graph
contained in any proxy statement filed by Western Resources pursuant to Section
14 of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this prospectus and prior to
the termination of the offering of the common stock pursuant hereto.
1. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 1-3523) for the year ended
December 31, 1998.
2. Current Reports on Form 8-K (File No. 1-3523) filed January 28, 1999 and
April 1, 1999.
3. The description of our common stock contained in item 7 of our Form
10-Q, filed for the quarter ended March 31, 1979.
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the
SEC.
You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or
provided in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized
anyone else to provide you with different information. We are
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not making an offer of the common stock in any state where the offer is not
permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any
prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the
front of those documents.
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WESTERN RESOURCES, INC.
DIRECT STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
PLAN ADMINISTRATION
We administer the plan through our Shareholder Services Department, keep
records and send statements of account activity to all participants. However, we
may appoint someone else to administer the plan. If we do, we will notify you.
An independent agent, selected by us, buys and sells shares on the open market
on your behalf. The agent will have full discretion as to all matters regarding
open market purchases and sales of shares. The agent's objective is to obtain
the best overall price of shares purchased and sold.
Each participant in the plan will have a separate account. Shares of common
stock purchased for the account of each participant will be registered in the
name of the administrator for participants in the plan.
All inquiries and instructions concerning the plan should be directed to:
Western Resources
Shareholder Services
P.O. Box 750320
Topeka, Kansas 66675-0320
You may call us between 8:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., central standard time, at:
Toll-free 1-800-527-2495
Local (785) 575-6394
Fax (785) 575-1796
Internet: http://www.wr.com
E-mail: [email protected]
(include E-mail return address)
Please include your shareholder account number and taxpayer identification
number (social security number) on all checks and money orders and on all
correspondence, as well as a daytime telephone number where you may be contacted
during normal working hours.
COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PLAN
As you review this prospectus, you will notice that this plan offers a
convenient and economical way to increase your ownership of our common stock.
The plan also allows a convenient way for you to keep shares with us under a
custodial (safekeeping) agreement. Below are some questions and answers about
the key features of our Direct Stock Purchase Plan.
1. WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PLAN?
Any owner of our common stock. Persons that do not own shares of our
common stock may participate by making an initial investment.
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2. DO I HAVE TO REINVEST ALL THE DIVIDENDS ON MY COMMON STOCK IF I
PARTICIPATE IN THE PLAN?
No. You may reinvest all, part or none of your common stock dividends.
3. MAY I PURCHASE ADDITIONAL SHARES OF COMMON STOCK THROUGH THE PLAN FROM
TIME TO TIME?
Yes. You may invest up to $10,000 in additional shares of common stock
in any month. The minimum investment is $50. Investments in excess of
$10,000 may be made with prior written consent from us.
4. MAY I DEPOSIT MY COMMON STOCK IN THE PLAN?
You may deposit, free of any service charges, your common stock to be
held by us in the plan.
5. WILL MY DIVIDENDS AND OPTIONAL CASH INVESTMENTS BE FULLY INVESTED IN
COMMON STOCK?
Yes. Both dividends and optional cash investments will be used in full
to purchase additional common stock. As a result, your plan account
will be credited with whole shares and a fractional shares. However,
if you close your plan account, any fractional share will be paid out
to you in cash.
6. HOW ARE SHARES PURCHASED FOR MY PLAN ACCOUNT?
At our option, shares for your plan account are purchased either on
the open market, in privately negotiated transactions or directly from
Western Resources.
7. HOW IS THE PRICE OF SHARES BOUGHT OR SOLD DETERMINED?
The price of shares is determined differently based upon whether such
shares are bought in the open market, bought directly from Western
Resources or are being sold.
SHARES BOUGHT ON THE OPEN MARKET
For shares bought on the open market, the price will be calculated as
the weighted average price of all shares bought for the investment
date. The price will include any brokerage commission and fees.
SHARES BOUGHT DIRECTLY FROM WESTERN RESOURCES
For shares bought directly from Western Resources, we average the high
and low sale prices of our common stock on the investment date. If a
discount is offered, the average of the high and low sales prices is
reduced by the discount. If our common stock is not traded on that
date, we use the prices from the previous trading day. There are no
brokerage commissions or fees when shares are purchased from us.
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The price of common stock purchased from us under the request for
waiver will be the average of the daily high and low sales prices of
the common stock as reported on the NYSE for the twelve trading days
immediately preceding a waiver investment date, less the applicable
discount.
SHARES SOLD
For shares sold, the price will be calculated as the weighted average
price of all plan shares sold on the sale date. The price will include
any brokerage commission and fees.
8. WHEN ARE DIVIDENDS REINVESTED?
We reinvest dividends on each dividend payment date. For our common
stock, the dividend payment dates are the first business days of
January, April, July and October.
9. WHEN ARE OPTIONAL CASH INVESTMENTS CREDITED TO MY PLAN ACCOUNT?
Optional cash investments are credited to your plan account on the day
the investment is received by Shareholder Services.
10. ARE THERE BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS AND FEES FOR BUYING OR SELLING SHARES
THROUGH THE PLAN?
Yes. Brokerage commissions and fees are charged on shares bought or
sold in the open market. These fees are based on the number of shares
bought or sold and the price per share. Currently, brokerage
commissions and fees are expected to be no more than 5 cents per share
for purchases and approximately 7.25 cents per share for sales. When
the plan buys shares directly from Western Resources, there are no
commissions or fees.
11. ARE THERE ANY OTHER FEES FOR BUYING AND SELLING SHARES THROUGH THE
PLAN?
No.
12. WHEN WILL I RECEIVE AN ACCOUNT STATEMENT?
We will send you a statement for every month in which there is
activity in your plan account. Activity in your plan account includes
when:
- we reinvest a dividend for you,
- you remit an optional cash investment,
- you deposit shares under the safekeeping feature of the plan,
- you withdraw or transfer shares, or
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<PAGE>
- you terminate your participation.
In addition, we will send you an annual statement in December
detailing all account activity during the prior year. PLEASE KEEP YOUR
STATEMENTS. YOU WILL NEED THEM FOR TAX PURPOSES.
13. MAY I TRANSFER SHARES FROM ONE ACCOUNT TO ANOTHER?
Yes. We will send the required instructions upon request.
14. WILL WESTERN RESOURCES ISSUE A STOCK CERTIFICIATE FOR THE SHARES IN MY
ACCOUNT?
All shares purchased for you through the plan will be held by the
custodian for you. You may request a stock certificate at any time by
sending us a written request. We do not issue a certificate for a
fractional share.
15. IF MY SHARES ARE HELD IN "STREET NAME" BY A STOCKBROKER, MAY I
PARTICIPATE IN THE PLAN?
Yes. You may request your broker to participate on your behalf either
by reinvesting dividends or by making optional cash investments.
Alternatively, you may ask your broker to transfer shares into your
name so you can participate directly with us and take advantage of all
the plan features.
Different brokers have different conditions and procedures for
participating in the plan on your behalf or for transferring shares
into your name. You should contact your broker if you have questions
about this.
16. ARE WESTERN RESOURCES DIVIDENDS TAXABLE INCOME?
Yes. Dividends are taxable income whether reinvested or paid in cash.
We will send you an IRS Form 1099-DIV each January showing your
dividend income for the previous year.
17. MAY I RECEIVE DIVIDENDS IN CASH FOR SHARES I HOLD IN STOCK CERTIFICATE
FORM?
Yes. You do not have to reinvest dividends on shares you hold in
certificate form.
18. MAY I RECEIVE DIVIDENDS IN CASH FOR SHARES HELD IN MY PLAN ACCOUNT?
Yes. You are not required to reinvest dividends on the shares held in
your plan account.
19. IS INTEREST PAID ON ANY CASH HELD BY THE PLAN PRIOR TO INVESTMENT?
No. We do not pay interest on any funds held by us prior to investment
in additional common stock.
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20. MAY I DETERMINE AT WHAT PRICE SHARES ARE BOUGHT AND SOLD ON MY BEHALF?
No. You will have no control over the price at which stock is bought
whether on the open market or from us. Likewise, you will have no
control over the price at which shares are sold by the independent
agent. You will bear the market risk associated with fluctuations in
the price of our common stock.
21. MAY I ASK TO HAVE MY MONEY RETURNED?
Yes. If you have sent money for an optional cash investment, that
money can be returned to you if we receive a written request no later
than three business days prior to the investment date following
receipt of your payment.
Plan Administrative Costs
We pay all of the administrative costs of the plan. You will pay a
brokerage commission when the common stock is bought or sold on the open market.
When the plan buys the common stock directly from us, you pay no brokerage
commission. There is no processing fee when we sell shares on your behalf.
Plan Enrollment
If you currently are a shareholder of record, you may enroll in the plan at
any time by completing and returning an enrollment form. Requests for such forms
should be directed to us, either by telephone or in writing.
Western Resources
Shareholder Services
P.O. Box 750320
Topeka, Kansas 66675-0330
Toll-free 1-800-527-2495
If you are not a shareholder of record, you may join the plan by completing
and returning an enrollment form together with an initial payment of not less
than the amount specified in the enrollment form and not more than $10,000 per
month, unless granted a request for waiver, which will be used to purchase
common stock for your account. The $10,000 maximum may be waived by us by prior
written request.
A beneficial owner may participate in the plan by either transferring
shares to their name or making arrangements with their broker, bank or nominee
to participate in the plan on the participant's behalf. A beneficial owner is a
shareholder whose shares of common stock are registered in a name other than his
or her name, for example, in the name of a broker, bank or other nominee.
Beneficial owners must instruct the broker, bank or nominee who holds their
shares to participate in the plan on their behalf. If a broker, bank or nominee
holds shares of a beneficial owner through a securities depository, the broker,
bank or nominee will be required to provide a broker and nominee form to us in
order to participate in the optional cash investment portion of the plan.
Purchases of common stock for your account are made as soon as practicable
after receipt of your investment, and in no event later than 35 days after
receipt, provided that it is received by us at least three
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business days prior to an investment date. For months in which a dividend is
paid, the dividend payment date is an investment date. Other investment dates
shall be determined solely at our discretion, although it is expected that
purchases for plan participants will be made at least twice during each month,
usually around the 1st and 15th of the month. Purchases may be made over a
period of several days if purchased on the open market. All such purchases will
be aggregated for the investment date.
Enrollment forms with initial investments must be received by us at least
three business days prior to the investment date and are subject to review by
us. Interest is not paid on any payments received, and they do not earn
dividends prior to their investment. Therefore, it is to your benefit to mail
the payments so that they are received shortly, but not less than three business
days, before an investment date.
All initial investments must be made by check for U.S. dollars, drawn on a
U.S. bank and payable to "Western Resources," and are subject to collection by
us for the full face value in U.S. funds. As soon as practicable after
completion of your initial investment, we will mail to you a statement notifying
you of the establishment of your account and setting forth the details of such
investment. Receipt of such statement serves as notification of your enrollment
in the plan. Other forms of payment, such as wire transfers, may be made, but
only if approved in advance by us. Inquiries about other forms of payment should
be directed to us at the address listed on page 4.
Employee Enrollment
Any employee of ours or any of our subsidiaries, as selected from time to
time by us, may join the plan at any time either by completing the employee
enrollment form and returning it to Shareholder Services, or by enrolling in the
same manner as any other eligible person described under plan enrollment. The
$250 and $50 minimums for initial investments and optional cash investments,
respectively, will not apply to payments made through payroll deductions.
The employee enrollment form allows participating employees to decide the
dollar amount, if any, to be deducted from their paychecks for each pay period.
Any deductions will be used to purchase full and fractional shares of our common
stock. The employee enrollment form allows an employee to choose a reinvestment
option for participation in the plan.
Payroll deduction authorizations will remain in effect until canceled by
the employee. The employee must specify the amount to be withheld each month.
The minimum deduction per pay period is $10. Payroll deductions will be invested
at the next investment period provided an authorization is received at least
five business days before the investment date.
Dividend Reinvestment Options
The enrollment form allows you to choose a reinvestment option for
participation in the plan. If not specified otherwise, the account will be
enrolled for full dividend reinvestment. By choosing the appropriate box, you
may select:
o Full Dividend Reinvestment -- Reinvest all cash dividends on all
certificated shares held by you and on all book-entry shares credited
to your plan account. Optional cash investments may be made at any
time.
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o Partial Dividend Reinvestment -- Receive cash dividends on a specified
number of your shares of common stock and reinvest the cash dividends
on the remainder of your shares. The shares specified to receive cash
dividends may be made up of a combination of certificate and
book-entry shares credited to your account. You may elect to have cash
dividend payments not reinvested paid by check or through electronic
direct deposit. Optional cash investments may be made at any time.
o Optional Cash Investments Only -- Receive cash dividends on all shares
credited to your account, certificated shares held by you and
book-entry shares held by the plan for you. Optional cash investments
may be made at any time.
If you participate in the plan's dividend reinvestment option, reinvestment
will commence with the first dividend payable after the dividend record date
following your enrollment. Dividend record dates are publicly announced by us,
and are generally the 9th day of March, June, September, and December.
On each applicable investment date, we will promptly, after deducting
withholding taxes, if any, commingle and pay over to the administrator all cash
dividends payable on shares held in the plan for all participants who are
reinvesting their dividends. These dividends will be used to purchase shares of
common stock, which will be held by the administrator. We will credit the
proportionate number of shares (computed to four decimal places without
rounding) purchased to each participant's account.
Optional Cash Investment
Once you are enrolled in the plan, you may purchase additional shares using
the plan's optional cash investment feature. Purchases must be made in amounts
of not less than $50, nor more than $10,000 per month, inclusive of your initial
investment. Optional cash investments may be made in excess of $10,000 if you
request a waiver from us.
A broker, bank or nominee must use the broker and nominee form to make
optional cash investments if the shares are held in the name of a securities
depository. A broker and nominee form must accompany each optional cash
investment made by the broker, bank or nominee holding shares on behalf of a
beneficial owner in the name of a securities depository. The broker and nominee
form will be furnished by us upon request.
We will invest your payment on the next investment date, provided it is
received at least three business days prior to that investment date. Your
payment will be commingled with those of other participants and applied to the
purchase of additional shares of common stock, which will be held in the plan.
As is the case with initial investments, we will not pay interest on any
optional cash investment amounts received and held for investment under the plan
and payments do not earn dividends prior to their investment. Therefore, it is
to your benefit to mail an optional cash investment so that we receive it
shortly, but not less than three business days, before an investment date. To
receive dividends, an optional cash investment must be received and invested on
an investment date prior to the record date.
All optional cash investments must be made by check for U.S. dollars, drawn
on a U.S. bank and payable to "Western Resources," and are subject to collection
by us for the full face value in U.S. funds. Other forms of payment, such as
will transfers, may be made if approved in advance by us. You may contact us
regarding other forms of payments at the address listed on page 4. CASH AND
THIRD PARTY CHECKS ARE NOT ALLOWED.
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For optional cash investments made pursuant to a request for waiver, good
and clear funds must be received by us prior to the first day of the pricing
period.
Refunds of Initial Investments and Optional Cash Purchases
Upon written request, we will refund your initial investment or any
optional cash investment payments, provided your request is received by us at
least three business days prior to the investment date following receipt of your
payment. However, no refund will be made until the funds have been actually
received by us.
Request for Waiver
Optional cash investments made pursuant to a request for waiver are not
subject to any predetermined maximum limit. We may establish each month a waiver
discount for optional cash investments in excess of the $10,000 made pursuant to
a request for waiver. The waiver discount, which may vary each month between 0%
and 3%, will be established by us after a review of current market conditions,
the level of participation, and current and projected capital needs. The waiver
discount may vary from the discount offered to reinvested dividends and optional
cash investments that do not exceed the $10,000 per month maximum.
For purposes of the maximum optional cash investment limitation, we may
aggregate all optional cash investments for participants with more than one
account using a social security or tax identification number. Unless we
determine that reinvestment of dividends and optional cash investments for each
such account would be consistent with the purposes of the plan, we will have the
right to aggregate all such accounts and return, without interest, any amounts
in excess of the investment limitations applicable to a single account in
respect of all such accounts. Participants that are unable to supply a social
security or tax identification number may be limited to only one plan account.
All plan accounts we believe to be under common control or management or to have
common ultimate beneficial ownership may be aggregated.
Optional cash investments in excess of $10,000 per month may be made only
pursuant to a request for waiver accepted by us. Participants who wish to submit
an optional cash investment in excess of $10,000 for any waiver investment date
must obtain the prior written approval of us and a copy of such written approval
must accompany any such optional cash investment. One waiver investment date
will occur each month, usually on the last business day of the month, although
we shall determine the timing of the waiver investment date. Appendix I provides
information regarding pricing periods and investment dates. A request for waiver
should be directed to us via facsimile at (785) 575-1796. We have sole
discretion to grant any approval for optional cash investments in excess of the
allowable maximum amount.
In deciding whether to approve a request for waiver, we will consider
relevant factors including, but not limited to, whether the plan is then
acquiring newly issued shares of common stock or acquiring shares through open
market purchases or privately negotiated transactions, our need for additional
funds, the attractiveness of obtaining such funds through the sale of common
stock under the plan in comparison to other sources of funds, the purchase price
likely to apply to any sale of common stock under the plan, the participant
submitting the request, including the participant's prior participation in the
plan and the number of shares of common stock held of record by the participant
and the aggregate amount of optional cash investments in excess of $10,000 for
which request for waiver have been submitted by all participants. If requests
for waiver are submitted for any investment date for an aggregate amount in
excess of the amount we are willing to accept, we may honor such requests in
order of receipt, pro rata, or by any other method we determine is appropriate.
-13-
<PAGE>
Waiver Discount. Each month, at least three business days prior to the
first day of an applicable pricing period, we may establish a discount from the
market price applicable to optional cash investments made pursuant to a request
for waiver. The discount may be between 0% and 3% of the purchase price and may
vary each month, but once established will apply uniformly to all optional cash
investments made pursuant to a request for waiver for that month. The waiver
discount will be established in our discretion after a review of current market
conditions, the level of participation in the plan, and current and projected
capital needs. Participants may obtain the waiver discount applicable to the
next pricing period by telephoning us at (785) 575-8330. Setting a waiver
discount for a particular month shall not affect the setting of a waiver
discount for any subsequent month. The waiver discount will apply to the entire
optional cash investment and not just the portion of such investment that
exceeds $10,000. The waiver discount will apply to optional cash investments of
$10,000 or more made pursuant to the request for waiver.
Threshold Price. We may establish for any pricing period a minimum price as
the threshold price applicable to optional cash investments made pursuant to
requests for waiver. At least three business days prior to the first day of the
applicable pricing period, we will determine whether to establish a threshold
price, and if a threshold price is established, its amount. This determination
will be made by us in our discretion after a review of current market
conditions, the level of participation in the plan and current and projected
capital needs.
The threshold price, if established, will be stated as a dollar amount that
the average of the high and low sale prices of the common stock on the NYSE for
each trading day of the relevant pricing period must equal or exceed. If the
threshold price is not satisfied for a trading day in the pricing period, then
that trading day will be excluded from the pricing period and all trading prices
for that day will be excluded from the determination of the purchase price. A
day will also be excluded if no trades of common stock are made on the NYSE for
that day.
In addition, a portion of the optional cash investments will be returned
for each trading day of the pricing period in which the threshold pricing is not
satisfied, or for each day in which no trades are reported on the NYSE. The
returned amount will equal one-twelfth of the total amount of the optional cash
investment amount for each trading day the threshold pricing is not satisfied.
The establishment of the threshold pricing and the possible return of the
investment applies only to the optional cash investments made pursuant to the
request for waiver. Setting a threshold price for a pricing period shall not
affect the setting of a threshold price for any particular month. We are not
required to provide written notice to participants of the threshold price for
any subsequent pricing period. We may waive the setting of a threshold price for
any pricing period. Participants may find out if a threshold price has been set
or waived for any pricing period by contacting us at (785) 575-8330.
Any person who acquires shares of common stock through the plan and resells
them shortly before or after acquiring them may be considered to be an
underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. We
expect that certain persons will acquire shares of common stock utilizing the
request for waiver and resell those shares in order to obtain the financial
benefit of any waiver discount then offered under the plan. We have no
arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, with any person relating to a
distribution of shares to be purchased pursuant to the plan.
Returned Checks
In the event that any check is returned unpaid for any reason, we will
consider the request for investment of such funds null and void. We shall be
entitled to remove from the participant's account any shares purchased upon the
prior credit of such funds. We shall thereupon be entitled to sell those shares
to satisfy any uncollected
-14-
<PAGE>
amount. If the net proceeds of such sale are insufficient to satisfy the balance
of such uncollected amount, we will, in addition to any other rights we may
have, be entitled to sell such additional shares from the participant's account
as necessary to satisfy the uncollected balance.
Purchase of Shares
Shares may be purchased for the plan from us, to the extent we make such
shares available, from any securities exchange where common stock is traded, in
the over-the-counter market, or by negotiated transactions.
We may commingle each participant's funds with those of other participants
for the purpose of executing purchases. Neither we nor any affiliated purchasers
will exercise any direct or indirect control or influence over the times when or
prices at which the independent agent may make open market purchases of common
stock for the plan, or the amounts of shares to be purchased.
The price that you will pay for any shares purchased will be either (a) the
average cost of all shares purchased for the applicable investment date, which
cost includes brokerage commissions of approximately $.05 per share, if
purchased on the open market or by negotiated transaction, (b) the average of
the high and low sales prices of the shares of common stock for the applicable
investment date, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange less any applicable
discount, if the shares are purchased from us, or (c) for shares purchased under
the request for waiver, the average of the daily high and low sales prices of
the common stock as reported on the NYSE for the twelve trading days immediately
preceding the applicable waiver investment date, less any applicable discount.
Under the plan, you do not have the ability to order the purchase of a
specific number of shares, the purchase of shares at a specified price or a
particular date of purchase, as could be done with respect to purchases through
a broker.
A statement will be mailed each quarter indicating, among other things, the
amount invested, the average cost per share, and the number of shares purchased.
Automatic Electronic Investment
You may make optional cash investments by means of automatic electronic
investments of not less than $35, nor more than the monthly limit of $10,000 by
monthly electronic funds transfers from a predesignated U.S. account. Automatic
electronic investments may be made from accounts at any bank, savings
association, credit union, and other financial institution that is a member of
the National Automated Clearing House Association (NACHA).
To initiate automatic electronic investments, you must complete and sign
the automatic electronic investment authorization found on the enrollment form
and return it to us together with a voided blank check or deposit slip for the
account from which funds are to be drawn. Forms will be processed and will
become effective as promptly as practicable. To be effective with respect to a
particular investment date, however, the automatic electronic investment
authorization must be received by us at least three business days preceding the
date for electronic transfer of funds.
Once automatic electronic investment is initiated, funds will be drawn from
your designated account on the date specified on the enrollment form, generally
the 10th of each month (or, if the 10th day is not a business
-15-
<PAGE>
day, the first business day thereafter), and will be invested in common stock
during the next investment period following the date of such draft.
You may change the amounts of your future automatic electronic investments
by completing and submitting to us a new enrollment form. You may terminate your
automatic electronic investments by notifying us in writing.
Electronic direct deposit of cash dividends that participants elect to
receive also is available through the plan.
Sale of Shares
You can sell all or part of your shares held in the plan by furnishing us
with written instructions, signed by all registered holders. You may sell only
whole shares, not fractional shares, if the sale is for less than all of the
shares in your account. We cannot, however, sell for you any certificated shares
that you may be holding unless they are first deposited into the plan pursuant
to Certificate Safekeeping.
Sales for plan participants are made as soon as practicable after we
receive written instructions from the participant. Requests to sell plan shares
will be aggregated and processed at least once a week. Shares will be sold on
the open market at prevailing market prices.
When you sell your shares, the price per share that you will receive is the
average of the proceeds from all shares sold, less your proportionate share of
the brokerage commission of approximately $.07 per share, transfer taxes, if
any, and withholding tax, if any. Under the plan, you do not have the ability to
sell your shares at a specified price or on a particular date, as could be done
with respect to sales through a broker.
With respect to the sale of fractional shares if your entire plan account
is terminated, we will pay cash to you in an amount determined in the same
manner as provided with respect to the sale of full shares.
Stock Certificates
All shares purchased on your behalf through the plan will be held in the
plan in book-entry form. You can, however, at any time and without charge,
obtain a certificate for all or part of the full shares credited to your plan
account by making a request in writing to us.
Shares credited to your plan account may not be pledged as collateral. If
you wish to pledge shares held in your plan account, you must request that we
issue a certificate for a designated number of shares.
Certificate Safekeeping
The plan's Certificate Safekeeping allows you to deposit into the plan
common stock certificates held by you for safekeeping. The advantages of
Certificate Safekeeping are:
o The risk associated with the loss of your stock certificates is
eliminated. If your certificates are lost or stolen, you cannot sell
or transfer them without first obtaining replacement certificates.
This process could take several weeks and will result in cost and
paperwork, both for you and for us.
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<PAGE>
o Certificates deposited with the plan are treated in the same manner as
shares purchased through the plan, and may be conveniently sold or
transferred through the plan.
To participate in Certificate Safekeeping, you must complete and return an
enrollment form along with common stock certificates you wish to deposit. You
can obtain an enrollment form by calling or writing our Shareholder Services
Department at the address shown on page 6. If you have lost any of your
certificates, they must be replaced before you can participate in Certificate
Safekeeping.
Transfer of Shares Held in the Plan
You may change the ownership of all or part of your plan shares through a
gift, a private sale or otherwise by mailing to us a properly executed stock
assignment form (which you can obtain from us or a financial institution), a
signature guarantee, and a letter of instruction.
Unless instructed otherwise, we will retain the shares, and enroll the
transferee in 100% dividend reinvestment, provided they are eligible to
participate. The new participant will receive a statement showing the number of
shares thus transferred and now held in his or her plan account.
Changing Your Plan Options
You can change the elections you have made under the plan at any time by
providing written notice to us. We will accept notice from only you or a person
duly authorized by you in writing to act on your behalf. Changes in elections
will be processed in the same manner and be effective as new enrollments.
You may cease the reinvestment of your dividends and elect to receive them,
instead, by check or electronic direct deposit. You may continue to hold your
shares in book-entry and receive a cash dividend. You may continue to buy shares
with optional cash investments or sell some, or all, of your shares, as desired.
Your enrollment in the plan may be automatically terminated if you no
longer hold any shares of record and your plan shares total less than one full
share of common stock. Upon automatic termination, you will receive a check for
the proceeds from the sale of the fractional share, less brokerage commission,
transfer taxes, if any, and withholding tax, if any.
With respect to the sale of fractional shares, we will pay cash to you in
an amount determined in the same manner as provided with respect to the sale of
full shares.
Stock certificates and/or checks will be forwarded to only you or your
legal representative made out the same as your account registration.
Tax Consequences of Participation in the Plan
The amount of cash dividends paid by us is considered taxable income, even
though reinvested under the plan. The information return sent to you on Form
1099-DIV and the IRS at year-end will show as dividend income the full amount of
dividends reinvested under the plan, as well as cash dividends paid directly to
you, if any, and the amount of any discount received for common stock purchases.
For U.S. Federal income tax purposes, the cost basis of shares of common stock
acquired through the plan on any given investment date will be determined by
dividing the total of the dividends reinvested net of taxes withheld, if any,
and your optional cash purchase, if any, by the number of shares of common
stock, including fractional shares, if any, acquired on your
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<PAGE>
behalf on that investment date. THESE STATEMENTS ARE YOUR CONTINUING RECORD OF
THE COST OF YOUR PURCHASES AND SHOULD BE RETAINED FOR TAX PURPOSES.
In the case of shareholders whose dividends are subject to U.S. Federal
income tax withholding, or backup withholding, we will reinvest dividends less
the amount of tax required to be withheld.
The sale of shares through the plan will be reported to the IRS and you on
Form 1099-B.
You should consult with your tax advisor for advice applicable to your
particular situation.
Stock Splits, Stock Dividends and Rights Offerings
Any dividends in the form of shares of stock and any shares resulting from
a stock split on shares held of record by the plan will be added proportionately
to your account. In the event that we make available to our holders of common
stock rights to subscribe to additional shares, debentures or other securities,
we will sell the rights received on shares held of record by the plan and will
invest the proceeds from the sale in additional shares of common stock which
will be credited proportionately to your account. Participants wishing to be in
a position to exercise such rights may withdraw shares credited to their plan
account as described under "Stock Certificates."
Voting Rights
A proxy card will be mailed to you representing the shares of common stock
held in your plan account combined with any other shares of common stock that
you may own of record. Shares credited to your account under the plan on the
record date for a vote of shareholders will be voted in accordance with your
instructions.
Limitations on Liability
Neither Western Resources nor their agents, employees, officers and
directors shall be liable for any act done in good faith or for any omission to
act, including, without limitation, any claims of liability (a) with respect to
the prices at which shares are purchased or sold for your account and the times
when such purchases or sales are made (provided, however, that nothing herein
shall be deemed to constitute a waiver of any rights that you might have under
the Securities Act of 1933 or other applicable federal securities laws), or (b)
for any fluctuation in the market value before or after purchase or sale of
shares, or (c) arising out of failure to terminate a participant's account upon
the participant's death prior to receipt of written evidence of such death.
Changes to the Plan
We reserve the right to amend, modify, suspend or terminate the plan at any
time. No such modification may, however, make it possible for any assets held in
the plan accounts to be used for any purpose other than the exclusive benefit of
the participants.
THE COMPANY
We are a publicly traded consumer services company, incorporated in 1924.
Our primary business activities are providing electric generation, transmission
and distribution services to approximately 620,000 customers in Kansas and
providing monitored services to approximately 1.5 million customers in North
America,
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<PAGE>
the United Kingdom and Continental Europe. In addition, through our 45%
ownership interest in ONEOK Inc. (ONEOK), natural gas transmission and
distribution services are provided to approximately 1.4 million customers in
Oklahoma and Kansas. Rate regulated electric service is provided by KPL, a
division of the company, and Kansas Gas and Electric (KGE), a wholly owned
subsidiary. Monitored services are provided by Protection One, Inc. (Protection
One), a publicly traded, approximately 85% owned subsidiary. KGE owns 47% of
Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation (WCNOC), the operating company for Wolf
Creek Generating Station (Wolf Creek). Our headquarters are located at 818
Kansas Avenue, Topeka, Kansas 66612, telephone number (785) 575-6300.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Since the requirements of plan participants may be satisfied by either the
issuance of new shares of common stock by Western Resources, or purchases of
shares of common stock in the open market, the number of shares of common stock,
if any, that we ultimately will sell under the plan, or the prices at which
shares will be sold, is not known. If shares are purchased in the open market,
we will not receive any proceeds. If purchases of common stock are made directly
from us, we intend to use the net proceeds for working capital, for retirement
of debt and for other general corporate purposes.
Any person who acquires shares of common stock through the plan and resells
them shortly before or after acquiring them may be considered to be an
underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. We
expect that certain persons will acquire shares of common stock utilizing the
request for waiver and resell those shares in order to obtain the financial
benefit of any waiver discount then offered under the plan. We have no
arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, with any person relating to a
distribution of shares to be received pursuant to the plan.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION AND UNDERWRITERS
Pursuant to the plan, we may be requested to approve optional cash
investments in excess of the allowable maximum amounts pursuant to requests for
waiver on behalf of participants that may be engaged in the securities business.
In deciding whether to approve such a request, we will consider relevant factors
including, but not limited to, whether the plan is then acquiring newly issued
shares of common stock or acquiring shares through open market purchases or
privately negotiated transactions, our need for additional funds, the
attractiveness of obtaining such funds by the sale of common stock under the
plan in comparison to other sources of funds, the purchase price likely to apply
to any sale of common stock, the participant submitting the request, including
the extent and nature of such participant's prior participation in the plan and
the number of shares of common stock held of record by such participant, and the
aggregate number of requests for waiver that have been submitted by all
participants. Persons who acquire shares of common stock through the plan and
resell them shortly after acquiring them, including coverage of short positions,
under certain circumstances, may be participating in a distribution of
securities that would require compliance with Regulation M under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 and may be considered to be underwriters within the meaning
of the Securities Act of 1933. We will not extend to any such person any rights
or privileges other than those to which it would be entitled as a participant,
nor will we enter into any agreement with any such person regarding such
person's purchase of such shares or any resale of distribution thereof. We may,
however, approve requests for optional cash investments by such persons in
excess of allowable maximum limitations. If such requests are submitted for any
investment date for an aggregate amount in excess of the amount we are willing
to accept, we may honor such requests in order of receipt, pro rata or by any
other method which we determine to be appropriate.
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<PAGE>
EXPERTS
The financial statements and schedules incorporated by reference in this
prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement have been audited by
Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, as indicated in their
reports with respect thereto, and are included herein in reliance upon the
authority of said firm as experts in giving said reports.
LEGAL OPINIONS
Richard D. Terrill, Vice President, Law and Corporate Secretary of Western
Resources, will issue an opinion regarding certain legal matters in connection
with the common stock offered hereby. At March 31, 1999, Mr. Terrill owned
directly and/or beneficially 2,125 shares of common stock and had been granted
pursuant to and subject to the terms of Western Resources' 1996 Long-Term
Incentive Program 22,500 stock options.
NO OTHER REPRESENTATIONS
No person is authorized to give any information or to make any
representations other than those contained in this prospectus and, if given or
made, such information or representation must not be relied upon as having been
authorized. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a
solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities offered
by this prospectus or an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy such
securities in any jurisdiction or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make
such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. Neither the delivery of this
prospectus nor any sale made hereunder shall, under any circumstances, create
any implication that there has been no change in the affairs of Western
Resources since the date hereof, or that the information herein contained or
incorporated by reference is correct as of any time subsequent to the date
hereof.
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<PAGE>
APPENDIX I
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
WESTERN RESOURCES, INC.
REQUEST FOR WAIVER
OPTIONAL CASH INVESTMENTS SCHEDULE
Threshold Price Pricing Period
Waiver Discount Optional Cash Investment Commencement Investment
Set Date Due Date Date Date
- -------- -------- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
May 7, 1999 May 11, 1999 May 12, 1999 May 28, 1999
June 9, 1999 June 11, 1999 June 14, 1999 June 30, 1999
July 9, 1999 July 13, 1999 July 14, 1999 July 30, 1999
August 10, 1999 August 12, 1999 August 13, 1999 August 31, 1999
September 9, 1999 September 13, 1999 September 14, 1999 September 30, 1999
October 8, 1999 October 12, 1999 October 13, 1999 October 29, 1999
November 8, 1999 November 10, 1999 November 11, 1999 November 30, 1999
December 9, 1999 December 13, 1999 December 14, 1999 December 31, 1999
January 7, 2000 January 11, 2000 January 12, 2000 January 30, 2000
February 7, 2000 February 9, 2000 February 10, 2000 February 29, 2000
March 10, 2000 March 14, 2000 March 15, 2000 March 31, 2000
April 6, 2000 April 10, 2000 April 11, 2000 April 28, 2000
May 9, 2000 May 11, 2000 May 12, 2000 May 31, 2000
June 9, 2000 June 13, 2000 June 14, 2000 June 30, 2000
July 10, 2000 July 12, 2000 July 13, 2000 July 31, 2000
August 10, 2000 August 14, 2000 August 15, 2000 August 31, 2000
September 8, 2000 September 12, 2000 September 13, 2000 September 29, 2000
October 10, 2000 October 12, 2000 October 13, 2000 October 31, 2000
November 8, 2000 November 10, 2000 November 13, 2000 November 30, 2000
December 7, 2000 December 11, 2000 December 12, 2000 December 29, 2000
January 9, 2001 January 11, 2001 January 12, 2001 January 31, 2001
February 6, 2001 February 8, 2001 February 9, 2001 February 28, 2001
March 9, 2001 March 13, 2001 March 14, 2001 March 30, 2001
April 6, 2001 April 10, 2001 April 11, 2001 April 30, 2001
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Western Resources, Inc.
Direct Stock Purchase Plan
PROSPECTUS
Dated April 19, 1999
<PAGE>
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
An estimate of expenses, other than underwriting discount, follows:
Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee...... $28,773
Fees of New York Stock Exchange for listing.............. $14,000
Printing................................................. $35,000
Legal fees and expenses ................................. $15,000
Accountants' fees and expenses........................... $2,500
Miscellaneous expenses................................... $50,000
Total ................................ $145,273
- -----------------
* All expenses, except the Securities and Exchange Commission registration
fee, are estimated for the life of the plan.
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Article XVIII of the Registrant's Restated Articles of Incorporation, as
amended, provides that a director of the Registrant shall not be personally
liable to the Registrant or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of
fiduciary duty as a director except for liability (i) for any breach of the
director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts
or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a
knowing violation of law, (iii) for paying a dividend or approving a stock
repurchase in violation of the Kansas General Corporation Law or (iv) for any
transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. This
provision is specifically authorized by Section 17-6002(b)(8) of the Kansas
General Corporation Law.
Section 17-6305 of the Kansas General Corporation Law (the "Indemnification
Statute") provides for indemnification by a corporation of its corporate
officers, directors, employees and agents. The Indemnification Statute provides
that a corporation may indemnify such persons who have been, are, or may become
a party to an action, suit or proceeding due to his or her status as a director,
officer, employee or agent of the corporation. Further, the Indemnification
Statute grants authority to a corporation to implement its own broader
indemnification policy. Article XVIII of the Company's Restated Articles of
Incorporation, as amended, requires the Company to indemnify its directors and
officers to the fullest extent provided by Kansas law. Further, as is provided
for in Article XVIII the Company has entered into indemnification agreements
with its directors, which provide indemnification broader than that available
under Article XVIII and the Indemnification Statute.
Item 16. Exhibits.
The Exhibits to this Registration Statement are listed in the Exhibit Index
on Pages E-1 and E-2 of this Registration Statement, which Index is incorporated
herein by reference.
<PAGE>
Item 17. Undertakings.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most
recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
in the Registration Statement;
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the
plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration
Statement or any material change to such information in the
Registration Statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) do not apply if the
Registration Statement is on Form S-3 or Form S-8, and the information
required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs
is contained in periodic reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to
Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment that contains a
form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new Registration Statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide
offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of
Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in the
Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the provisions described under Item 15 above, or
otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities
and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim
for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by
II-2
<PAGE>
controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the
question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as
expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
II-3
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Western
Resources, Inc., the Registrant, certifies that it has reasonable grounds to
believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has
duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunder duly authorized, in the City of Topeka, State of Kansas
on the 19th day of April, 1999.
WESTERN RESOURCES, INC.
(Registrant)
By: /s/ David C. Wittig
-------------------------------------
David C. Wittig
Chairman of the Board,
President and Chief
Executive Officer
Each person whose signature appears below appoints David C. Wittig, William
B. Moore and Richard D. Terrill and each of them, any of whom may act without
the joinder of the other, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and
agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and
in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities to sign any and
all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration
Statement on Form S-3 and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all
other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary
to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do
in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agents or their substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons, in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Signature Title Date
- --------- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ David C. Wittig Chairman of the Board, President and April 19, 1999
- ------------------------------ Chief Executive Officer (Principal
David C. Wittig Executive Officer)
/s/ William B. Moore Acting Executive Vice President and April 19, 1999
- ------------------------------ Chief Financial Officer (Principal
William B. Moore Financial and Accounting Officer)
/s/ Frank J. Becker Director April 19, 1999
- ------------------------------
Frank J. Becker
II-4
<PAGE>
/s/ C. Q. Chandler Director April 19, 1999
- ------------------------------
C. Q. Chandler
/s/ Thomas R. Clevenger Director April 19, 1999
- ------------------------------
Thomas R. Clevenger
/s/ John C. Dicus Director April 19, 1999
- ------------------------------
John C. Dicus
/s/ David H. Hughes Director April 19, 1999
- ------------------------------
David H. Hughes
/s/ Russell W. Meyer, Jr. Director April 19, 1999
- ------------------------------
Russell W. Meyer, Jr.
/s/ Jane Dresner Sadaka Director April 19, 1999
- ------------------------------
Jane Dresner Sadaka
/s/ Louis W. Smith Director April 19, 1999
- ------------------------------
Louis W. Smith
</TABLE>
II-5
<PAGE>
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit
Number Exhibit
3(a) -- Restated Articles of Incorporation of the company,
as amended through May 25, 1988, filed as Exhibit 4 to
Registration Statement, SEC File No. 33-23022
(incorporated by reference).
3(b) -- Certificate of Amendment to Restated Articles of
Incorporation of the company dated March 29, 1991,
filed as exhibit 3(b) to December 1998 Form 10-K
(incorporated by reference).
3(c) -- Certificate of Designations for Preference Stock,
8.5% Series, without par value, dated March 31, 1991
and filed as exhibit 3(d) to December 1993 Form 10-K
(incorporated by reference).
3(d) -- Certificate of Correction to Restated Articles of
Incorporation of the company dated December 20, 1991,
filed as exhibit 3(b) to December 1991 Form 10-K
(incorporated by reference).
3(e) -- Certificate of Designations for Preference Stock,
7.58% Series, without par value, dated April 8, 1992
and filed as exhibit 3(e) to December 1993 Form 10-K
(incorporated by reference).
3(f) -- Certificate of Amendment to Restated Articles of
Incorporation of the company dated May 8, 1992, filed
as exhibit 3(c) to December 31, 1994 Form 10-K
(incorporated by reference).
3(g) -- Certificate of Amendment to Restated Articles of
Incorporation of the company dated May 26, 1994, filed
as exhibit 3 to June 1994 Form 10-Q (incorporated by
reference).
3(h) -- Certificate of Amendment to Restated Articles of
Incorporation of the company dated May 14, 1996, filed
as exhibit 3(a) to June 1996 Form 10-Q (incorporated by
reference).
3(i) -- Certificate of Amendment to Restated Articles of
Incorporation of the company dated May 12, 1998, filed
as exhibit 3 to March 1998 Form 10-Q (incorporated by
reference).
5 -- Opinion of Richard D. Terrill, Esq. (1)
23(a) -- Consent of Richard D. Terrill, Esq. (contained in
Exhibit 5) (1)
23(b) -- Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP (1)
24 Power of Attorney (set forth on the signature page of
this Registration Statement)
- ----------------
(1) Previously filed.
Exhibit 5
April 19, 1999
Western Resources, Inc.
818 Kansas Avenue
Topeka, Kansas 66612
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
As Vice President, Law and Corporate Secretary of Western Resources, Inc.
(the "Company"), and in connection with the proposed issue and sale, from time
to time, of 4,000,000 shares of common stock $5.00 par value (hereinafter called
the "Shares"), with respect to which the Company is filing a Registration
Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") with the Securities and
Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, to which Registration
Statement this opinion shall be filed as an exhibit (capitalized terms used
herein without definition have the meanings given such terms in the Registration
Statement), I advise you that, in my opinion:
1. The Company is a corporation duly organized and validly existing under
the laws of the State of Kansas.
2. Upon (a) authorization of the issue and sale of the Shares by regulatory
commissions having jurisdiction, (b) the Registration Statement becoming
effective under the Securities Act of 1933, (c) issuance and sale of the Shares
as contemplated by the Registration Statement and the Prospectus contained
therein, the Shares will be legally and validly issued and will be fully paid
and nonassessable.
I hereby consent to the filing of a copy of this opinion as an exhibit to
said Registration Statement. I also consent to the use of my name and the making
of the statements with respect to myself in the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus constituting a part thereof.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Richard D. Terrill
----------------------------
Richard D. Terrill
Exhibit 23(b)
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation
by reference in this Form S-3 Registration Statement, of Western Resources, Inc.
regarding the registration of 4,000,000 shares of common stock for the Direct
Stock Purchase Plan, of our reports dated January 27, 1999 (except with respect
to the matter discussed in Note 2, as to which the date is April 5, 1999),
included in Western Resources, Inc.'s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1998, and to all references to our Firm included in this Registration Statement.
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Kansas City, Missouri
April 15, 1999
