MAYS J W INC — Proxy Solicitation & Information Statement 1997

Oct 20, 1997

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Filed by the Registrant [X] Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ] Check the appropriate box: [ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement [X] Definitive Proxy Statement [ ] Definitive Additional Materials [ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to ss.240.14a-11(c) or ss.240.14a-12 J. W. MAYS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (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)(4) 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:* ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [ ] 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: ------------------------------------------------------- J. W. MAYS, INC. ---------------- NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 25, 1997 ---------------- October 20, 1997 To Our Shareholders: You are cordially invited to attend the 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of J. W. Mays, Inc. (the "Company"). The Meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 25, 1997 at 10:00 A.M., New York time, at the offices of the Company, 9 Bond Street, Brooklyn, New York, for the following purposes: 1. To consider and vote upon a proposal to fix the number of directors to be elected at eight. 2. To elect eight persons to the Company's Board of Directors to serve until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until the election and qualification of their respective successors. 3. To consider and vote upon a proposal to ratify the appointment of D'Arcangelo & Co., LLP, independent public accountants, for the fiscal year ending July 31, 1998. 4. To transact such other matters as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof. The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on October 16, 1997 as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or any adjournment thereof. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOUR SHARES BE REPRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING, REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER YOU MAY HOLD. PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE AND SIGN THE ENCLOSED FORM OF PROXY AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE SELF-ADDRESSED ENVELOPE ENCLOSED WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING. THIS WILL NOT PREVENT YOU FROM VOTING YOUR SHARES IN PERSON IF YOU ARE PRESENT. By order of the Board of Directors, SALVATORE CAPPUZZO Secretary J. W. MAYS, INC. 9 BOND STREET BROOKLYN, N. Y. 11201 --------------- PROXY STATEMENT --------------- THE PROXY AND THE SOLICITATION This Proxy Statement and accompanying form of proxy are first being sent or given to shareholders commencing on or about October 20, 1997. The enclosed form of proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors of the Company for use at the 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on November 25, 1997 (including any adjournments). You may revoke your proxy and claim your right to vote up to and including the meeting by written notice given to the Secretary of the Company. Proxies in the accompanying form which are properly executed by shareholders, duly returned to the Company or its agent, and not revoked, will be voted in the manner specified thereon. OUTSTANDING VOTING STOCK Each of the 2,135,780 outstanding shares of common stock, par value $1 per share (the only class of voting security), of the Company (net of 42,517 shares held as treasury stock, which shares cannot be voted) held of record on October 16, 1997 is entitled to one vote on each of the matters to be acted upon at the Meeting or any adjournment thereof. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT Reference is made to the information under the caption "Information Concerning Nominees for Election as Directors" for a statement of the direct beneficial ownership of the Company's shares of common stock by its director nominees. The address for each of such nominees and persons hereinafter mentioned is c/o J. W. Mays, Inc., 9 Bond Street, Brooklyn, New York 11201. The information below is given as of September 26, 1997. To the best of the Company's knowledge, the following persons were the beneficial owners or were part of a group which was the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding common stock of the Company, as of September 26, 1997:

(Footnotes on page 2) 1 THROUGH WEINSTEIN PERCENT NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER ENTERPRISES DIRECT TOTAL OF CLASS ------------------------ ----------- ------ ----- -------- Sylvia W. Shulman(2) ........... 253,979.37 582 254,561.37 11.92% Max L. Shulman(1)(3) ........... -- 34,883 34,883.00 1.63% Lloyd J. Shulman(4) ............ 128,198.94 44,250 172,448.94 8.07% Lloyd J. Shulman Trust(4) ...... 21,712.42 -- 21,712.42 1.02% Gail S. Koster(5) .............. 80,731.22 9,285 90,016.22 4.21% Gail S. Koster Trust(5) ........ 7,237.48 -- 7,237.48 .34% Florence Felmus Trust(5) ....... 57,899.79 -- 57,899.79 2.71% Florence Felmus Trust(6) ....... 231,887.90 -- 231,887.90 10.86% Madeleine Orloff(6) ............ 42,341.94 -- 42,341.94 1.98% Linda Jessogne(6) .............. 42,341.94 -- 42,341.94 1.98% J. Weinstein Foundation, Inc.(7) -- 140,568 140,568.00 6.58% ---------- ------- ------------ ----- Total ................ 866,331.00 229,568 1,095,899.00 51.31% ========== ======= ============ ===== - ------------ (1) Weinstein Enterprises, Inc., a Delaware corporation, is the beneficial owner of 866,331 shares (40.56%) of the outstanding common stock of the Company through its two wholly-owned subsidiaries: (i) Gailoyd Enterprises Corp., a Delaware corporation ("Gailoyd"), which directly owns 626,120 shares (29.31%) of the outstanding common stock of the Company and (ii) Celwyn Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Celwyn"), which directly owns 240,211 shares (11.25%) of the outstanding common stock of the Company. (2) Sylvia W. Shulman directly owns 582 shares of the outstanding common stock of the Company. She also beneficially owns 253,979.37 shares of the outstanding common stock of the Company through her beneficial ownership of 1,759 shares (29.32%) of Weinstein Enterprises, Inc., which includes 1,606 shares (26.77%) held by Sylvia W. Shulman and Lloyd J. Shulman as trustees for the benefit of Sylvia W. Shulman, for a total of 254,561.37 shares (11.92%). Does not include 21,840 shares owned as tenant in common with her husband, Max L. Shulman. See footnote (3) below. (3) Max L. Shulman directly owns 34,883 shares (1.63%) of the outstanding common stock of the Company of which 21,840 shares are owned as tenant in common with his wife, Sylvia W. Shulman. See footnotes (4), (5) and (6) below wherein Mr. Shulman acts as a trustee for certain other Trusts. (4) Lloyd J. Shulman directly owns 44,250 shares of the outstanding common stock of the Company. He also beneficially owns 128,198.94 shares of the outstanding common stock of the Company through his beneficial ownership of 887.875 shares (14.80%) of Weinstein Enterprises, Inc. and, pursuant to the will of the late Celia Weinstein, the Lloyd J. Shulman Trust owns 21,712.42 shares (1.02%) of the outstanding common stock of the Company through the beneficial ownership of 150.375 shares (2.51%) of Weinstein Enterprises, Inc., for a total of 194,161.36 shares (9.09%). Max L. Shulman, Sylvia W. Shulman and Lloyd J. Shulman are trustees of the Lloyd J. Shulman Trust. (Footnotes continued) 2 (5) The Shulman family beneficially owns 638,759.22 shares (29.91%) of the outstanding common stock of the Company both directly and through Weinstein Enterprises, Inc. This total includes the 80,731.22 shares (3.78%) of the outstanding common stock of the Company beneficially owned by Gail S. Koster (daughter of Max L. and Sylvia W. Shulman) through ownership of shares of Weinstein Enterprises, Inc., 7,237.48 shares (.34%) of the outstanding common stock of the Company beneficially owned by the Gail S. Koster Trust, through Weinstein Enterprises, Inc., of which Max L. Shulman and Max L. Shulman, Sylvia W. Shulman and Lloyd J. Shulman are trustee(s), respectively, and 9,285 shares (.43%) owned directly by Gail S. Koster. Also the total includes 57,899.79 shares (2.71%) of the outstanding common stock of the Company owned by a Trust for Florence Felmus (daughter of the late Joe Weinstein, founder of the Company, and Celia Weinstein, and a sister of Sylvia W. Shulman) through the ownership of 401 shares (6.68%) of Weinstein Enterprises, Inc., pursuant to the will of the late Celia Weinstein. Max L. Shulman, Sylvia W. Shulman and Lloyd J. Shulman are trustees of this Florence Felmus Trust and are the beneficial owners thereof. (6) Another Trust for Florence Felmus owns 231,887.90 shares (10.86%) of the outstanding common stock of the Company through the beneficial ownership of 1,606 shares (26.77%) of Weinstein Enterprises, Inc. This table includes the shares of outstanding common stock of the Company beneficially owned by Madeleine Orloff and Linda Jessogne (daughters of Florence Felmus), who may be considered part of the Florence Felmus family. Madeleine Orloff and Linda Jessogne each beneficially owns 42,341.94 shares (1.98%) of the outstanding common stock of the Company through their individual beneficial ownership of 293.25 shares (4.89%) of Weinstein Enterprises, Inc. (7) J. Weinstein Foundation, Inc. directly owns 140,568 shares (6.58%) of the outstanding common stock of the Company. The Shulmans, as officers and directors of J. Weinstein Foundation, Inc., share voting power as to these shares and, consequently, may be deemed to be beneficial owners thereof, although the table set forth above does not include such shares as beneficially owned by such persons. To the best of the Company's knowledge, the directors and executive officers of the Company considered as a group beneficially owned the following amount of outstanding common stock of the Company as of September 26, 1997: AMOUNT AND NATURE OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP IN J. W. MAYS, INC. PERCENT OF CLASS ----------------------- ---------------- All directors and executive officers of the Company considered as a group (10 persons) ................. 634,219.73* 29.69% - ---------------- * This total includes 483,605.73 shares (22.64%) derived from the Shulmans' beneficial holdings, excluding those of Gail S. Koster and the Gail S. Koster Trust, and also includes 140,568 shares (6.58%) of the outstanding common stock of the Company owned directly by J. Weinstein Foundation, Inc. together with 10,046 shares (.47%) owned by other officers and directors. Moreover, the directors who are also directors of Weinstein Enterprises, Inc. may, because of their power to vote a majority of the shares in Weinstein Enterprises, Inc., be considered to be the beneficial owners of the 866,331 shares (40.56%) of the outstanding common stock of the Company held by Weinstein Enterprises, Inc. 3 PRINCIPAL NON-AFFILIATED HOLDERS OF COMMON STOCK To the best of the Company's knowledge, the following "persons" were the beneficial owners or were part of a group which was the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Company's outstanding common stock, other than those set forth above, as of September 26, 1997: AMOUNT AND NATURE OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP IN J. W. MAYS, INC. PERCENT OF CLASS ------------------------ ---------------- Estate of Sol Goldman ........... 274,600(1) 12.85% c/o Simpson Thacher & Bartlett 425 Lexington Avenue New York, New York 10017 Lillian Goldman Marital Trust ... 91,400(2) 4.28% Lillian Goldman ................. 91,400(3) 4.28% 640 Fifth Avenue New York, New York 10019 (1) & (2) The number of shares shown above has been obtained from Amendment No. 5 to Schedule 13D, the most recent amendment which was dated September, 1995, relating to events occurring on December 20 and 22, 1993, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on behalf of each of Jane H. Goldman, Allan H. Goldman and Louisa Little, verified by letter dated May 7, 1997. (1) As Co-Executors of the Estate of Sol Goldman. (2) As Co-Trustees of the Lillian Goldman Marital Trust. (3) The number of shares shown above has been obtained from Amendment No. 5 to Schedule 13D, the most recent amendment which was dated September, 1995, relating to events occurring on December 20 and 22, 1993, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on behalf of Lillian Goldman, verified by letter dated May 7, 1997. AMOUNT AND NATURE OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP IN J. W. MAYS, INC. PERCENT OF CLASS ------------------------ ---------------- Tweedy, Browne Company L.P., TBK Partners, L.P. and Vanderbilt Partners, L.P. ....... 154,900(4) 7.25% 52 Vanderbilt Avenue New York, New York 10017 (4) The number of shares shown above has been obtained from Amendment No. 2 dated July 29, 1997 to Schedule 13D, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. AMOUNT AND NATURE OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP IN J. W. MAYS, INC. PERCENT OF CLASS ------------------------ ---------------- R.B. Haave Associates, Inc. ... 170,500(5) 7.98% 36 Grove Street New Canaan, CT 06840 (5) The number of shares shown above has been obtained from Amendment No. 1 dated January 27, 1997 to Schedule 13G, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 4 PROPOSAL TO FIX THE NUMBER OF DIRECTORS AT EIGHT Directors are to be elected to serve until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until the election and qualification of their respective successors. The By-Laws provide that prior to the election of directors at each Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the number of directors to be elected at such meeting for the ensuing year shall be fixed by the shareholders by a majority vote of the shares represented at the meeting in person or by proxy within the limits fixed by the Certificate of Incorporation which provides for a minimum of three and a maximum of eleven. The Board of Directors recommends the election of eight directors and, except as discussed below, all proxies received pursuant to this solicitation will be voted for that number of directors. The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares represented in person or by proxy is required to fix the number of directors at eight. INFORMATION CONCERNING NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AS DIRECTORS It is intended that proxies received pursuant to this solicitation will be voted for the election of the following nominees, unless for any reason any such nominee shall not be available for election, in which event the proxies will be voted in favor of the remainder of those nominated, and may be voted for substitute nominees in place of those who are not candidates or to reduce (but not below three) the number of directors to be elected. Each of the nominees has consented to serve as a director, if elected, and it is contemplated that all of the nominees will be available for election as directors. The following information is given as of September 26, 1997 with respect to each nominee for election as a director. Such information has been furnished by the nominees. The table shows their respective ages in parentheses, the positions and offices held with the Company, the period served as a director, their business experience during the past five years, including their principal occupations and employment during that period, their direct beneficial ownership and percentage of the Company's outstanding shares owned [excluding shares which may be deemed to be beneficially owned as set forth under the caption "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management" (pages 1 to 3)], and other directorships in public companies. Sylvia W. Shulman is the wife of Max L. Shulman, and Lloyd J. Shulman is their son.

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• ------------------- + Member of Executive Committee. (1) At the Board of Directors' meeting held May 24, 1995, Max L. Shulman, then Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, vacated the position of Chief Executive Officer of the Company, effective June 1, 1995. Max L. Shulman was elected to the position of Co-Chairman of the Board along with his son, Lloyd J. Shulman. Max L. Shulman retired as Co-Chairman on November 26, 1996 and continued as a director. He retired as an employee of the Company on December 31, 1996. Lloyd J. Shulman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, at the same directors' meeting, effective June 1, 1995, was elected to the position of Co-Chairman of the Board and also assumed the position of Chief Executive Officer to fill the vacancy created by Max L. Shulman. Lloyd J. Shulman continued as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company and at the November 26, 1996 meeting of the Board of Directors, Lloyd J. Shulman was elected Chairman of the Board and continued as President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer of the Company. (2) Owned jointly with his wife. (3) Reference is made to the caption "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management" (pages 1 to 3) for information relating to beneficial ownership of holders owning more than 5% of the outstanding stock of the Company. (4) Includes 21,840 shares owned as tenant in common with his wife, Sylvia W. Shulman. Does not include 582 shares owned by his wife. See footnote (5) below. (5) Does not include 21,840 shares owned as tenant in common with her husband, Max L. Shulman. See footnote (4) above. (6) 2,000 of these shares are owned jointly with his wife. 6 MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD The Board of Directors of the Company holds regular quarterly meetings to review significant developments affecting the Company and to act on matters requiring Board approval. During fiscal 1996, the Board held four regular meetings. Executive Committee--This Committee may exercise all the powers of the Board when it is not in session, except as otherwise provided in a resolution or By-Law. This Committee met one time during fiscal 1997. Audit Committee--This Committee during fiscal 1997 consisted of the following non-employee members of the Board: Messrs. Frank J. Angell (Chairman), Jack Schwartz and Lewis D. Siegel. The Audit Committee, which met two times in fiscal 1997, is responsible for such matters as recommending to the Board of Directors a firm of independent public accountants, reviewing the scope and results of annual audits, reviewing auditors' recommendations to management and the response of management to such recommendations, the internal audit reports, and the adequacy of financial and accounting control mechanisms employed by the Company. The Committee also reviews and approves any non-audit related services rendered to the Company and its subsidiaries by the independent public accountants including their fees. The Committee is also prepared to meet at any time upon request of the independent public accountants to review any special situation arising in relation to any of the foregoing subjects. Investment Advisory Committee--This Committee during fiscal 1997 consisted of Messrs. Max L. Shulman (Chairman until November 1996), Lloyd J. Shulman (Chairman from November 1996), Frank J. Angell, Jack Schwartz, Lewis D. Siegel and Alex Slobodin. The Committee meets as necessary on the call of the Chairman. The Committee met four times in fiscal 1997. The Committee reviews and makes recommendations concerning the investment choices available with safety of principal, high yields and liquidity as the prime objectives. Executive Compensation Committee--This Committee, during fiscal 1997, consisted of Max L. Shulman (Chairman until November 1996), Lloyd J. Shulman (Chairman from November 1996), Frank J. Angell, Jack Schwartz and Lewis D. Siegel, three of whom are non-employee directors. The Committee recommends to the Board the establishment and modification of executive compensation plans and programs. It considers and recommends to the Board remuneration arrangements for the Chief Executive Officer, as well as the compensation for the other executive officers. The Committee met one time during fiscal 1997. Each director attended 100% of the aggregate meetings of the Board and the Committees (if a member thereof) held during fiscal 1997. The Board of Directors does not have a standing Nominating Committee. 7 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND RELATED MATTERS The following table sets forth the total compensation accrued by the Company and its subsidiaries with respect to the three most recent fiscal years for the most highly compensated executive officers: ANNUAL COMPENSATION ---------------------------------- NAME AND OTHER ANNUAL PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY COMPENSATION(1)(2) ------------------ ---- ------ ------------------ Lloyd J. Shulman(4) ........................ 1997 $120,330 $15,318(3) Chairman of the Board and President, Chief 1996 120,659 15,455(3) Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer 1995 120,330 15,438(3) Max L. Shulman(4) .......................... 1997 31,484 3,148(3) Co-Chairman of the Board from June 1995 to 1996 75,412 8,351(3) November 1996 1995 116,964 14,909(3) Alex Slobodin .............................. 1997 121,984 15,578(3) Executive Vice President and Treasurer 1996 122,318 15,716(3) 1995 119,285 15,274(3) Ward N. Lyke, Jr. .......................... 1997 90,378 10,615(3) Vice President--Management Information 1996 89,413 10,549(3) Services .................................. 1995 87,276 10,249(3) - ------------- (1) Each non-employee director receives an annual retainer of $2,100 plus $525 for each Board meeting and $525 for each Committee meeting attended, except if the Investment Advisory Committee and the Executive Compensation Committee meetings are held on the same day as the meeting of the Board of Directors, then the attendance fee for each such meeting will be $105. (2) Excludes certain personal benefits aggregating less than $25,000 for any member of the group. (3) The Company's Retirement Plan, as amended, which became effective August 1, 1991, is a Money Purchase Retirement Plan. Contributions to the Plan are required to be made from time to time by the Company. Each of the named executive officers has a 100% vested interest in the amount listed. All current directors who are not executive officers do not participate in the Plan. (4) At the Board of Directors' meeting held May 24, 1995, Max L. Shulman, then Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, vacated the position of Chief Executive Officer and reduced his annual salary from $125,000 to $75,000, each effective June 1, 1995. See Note (1) under the caption "Information Concerning Nominees for Election as Directors." Max L. Shulman retired as Co-Chairman of the Board on November 26, 1996 and continued as a director. He retired as an employee of the Company on December 31, 1996. REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION The executive compensation program of the Company is administered by the Executive Compensation Committee. The Committee has the responsibility for recommendations to the Board with respect to all compensation to officers and directors of the Company. BASE SALARY Salary levels for the Company's executive officers are established principally on the basis of the executive's position. In each case, consideration is given both to the personal factors such as the individual's record and the responsibility associated with his position, and the prevailing conditions in the geographic area where the executive's services are performed. The Committee recognized the difficult economic condition in the real estate market but believes executive officers' base salaries, approved by the Board, are at or below competitive base salary levels. 8 The Committee in determining future base salary increases will consider the Company's performance under the then existing conditions and the then competitive conditions in the labor market. The Company has no incentive compensation program. RETIREMENT PLAN The Board of Directors adopted The J.W. Mays, Inc. Retirement Plan and Trust ("Plan") effective August 1, 1991. The Board of Directors believes that the Plan will strengthen the ability of the Company to attract and retain employees (exclusive of those employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement) and increase such individuals' incentive to contribute to the Company's future success On August 25, 1993, the Board of Directors approved a modification of the Plan, retroactive to August 1, 1993, by increasing the Company's contribution to the Plan from an amount equal to 5% of each participant's compensation to 10% and from 5% to 5.7% of each participant's compensation in excess of the contribution and benefit base in effect under Section 230 of the Social Security Act for each year. AGREEMENT WITH EXECUTIVE Max L. Shulman's employment agreement expired December 31, 1996. The agreement, provided for compensation of not less than $75,000 per annum. His deferred compensation of $520,000, which amount was accrued through December 31, 1990, is to be payable in equal monthly installments of $8,666.67 for a maximum period of 60 months, payable upon the expiration of his employment, his retirement, permanent disability, as defined in the agreement, or death. There are no requirements for additional deferred compensation subsequent to December 31, 1990. Since Max L. Shulman retired as an employee of the Company on December 31, 1996, his monthly deferred compensation payments of $8,666.67 commenced January 1997. Executive Compensation Committee Members: Max L. Shulman, Chairman until November 1996 Lloyd J. Shulman, Chairman from November 1996 Frank J. Angell Jack Schwartz Lewis D. Siegel 9 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION Max L. Shulman and Lloyd J. Shulman, members of the Board of the Company and each a member of the Executive Compensation Committee (Max L. Shulman until November 26, 1996), each serve as an officer and director of Weinstein Enterprises, Inc. (Max L. Shulman as an officer until September 30, 1996), the beneficial owner of 40.56% of the outstanding common stock of the Company through its two wholly-owned subsidiaries: (1) Gailoyd Enterprises Corp. which directly owns 29.31% of the outstanding common stock of the Company and (2) Celwyn Company, Inc. which directly owns 11.25% of the outstanding common stock of the Company. Max L. Shulman and Lloyd Shulman each also serve as an officer and director of Gailoyd Enterprises Corp. and Celwyn Company, Inc. (Max L. Shulman as an officer until September 30, 1996 of each company). PERFORMANCE GRAPH COMPARISON OF FIVE-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN J. W. MAYS, INC., STANDARD & POOR'S 500 AND PEER GROUP (PERFORMANCE RESULTS THROUGH 07/31/97) The following graph sets forth a comparison of the Company's cumulative total shareholder return from August 1, 1992 through July 31, 1997, assuming $100 is invested at the close of trading July 31, 1992 in J. W. Mays, Inc. common stock, although the Company has not paid dividends, with the cumulative total return for the same period measured by the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Index and a Peer Group. Source: Value Line, Inc. [GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION OF DATA TABLE BELOW] 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- MAYS $100.00 $35.16 $40.63 $46.88 $48.44 $57.81 S&P 500 $100.00 $108.79 $114.73 $144.77 $168.79 $257.13 Peer Group $100.00 $106.43 $119.32 $131.26 $155.83 $195.82 10 The Performance Graph assumes $100 invested at the close of trading on the last trading day preceding the first day of the fifth preceding fiscal year in the Company's common stock, S&P 500 and Peer Group. The Performance Graph shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement of incorporation by reference in any filing made under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such Acts. INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS Subject to ratification by the shareholders, the Board of Directors of the Company, upon recommendation of the Company's Audit Committee, has selected the firm of D'Arcangelo & Co., LLP, independent public accountants, to audit the books, records and accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries for the fiscal year ending July 31, 1998. This firm first became the independent public accountants of the Company and its subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1996. D'Arcangelo & Co., LLP, has no direct or indirect financial interest in the Company. If the selection of D'Arcangelo & Co., LLP is not ratified by the shareholders, or if after ratification that firm for any reason becomes unable or ineligible to serve, the selection of other independent public accountants will be considered by the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors. A representative of the accounting firm is expected to attend the annual meeting with the opportunity to make a statement, if he desires to do so, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions. CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS During fiscal 1997, the Company paid Weinstein Enterprises, Inc. ("Enterprises") total rentals of $160,800 for leases on which two of the Company's real estate properties are located and interest of $69,329 on a mortgage held by Enterprises on the Jowein Building, Brooklyn, New York. In the opinion of the Company, the rentals and interest paid to Enterprises are no more favorable than would be payable for comparable property and mortgage, respectively, in arms-length transactions with non-affiliated parties. The Company had leased from Celwyn Company, Inc. ("Celwyn") one of the stores which it closed in connection with the reorganization proceedings, at an annual minimum rental of $180,000. The Company, by agreement with Celwyn, modified and assigned the lease to a third party. The agreement with Celwyn provides for the equal division between the Company and Celwyn of the rental received by Celwyn in excess of the annual minimum rental of $180,000. In the opinion of the Company, the rental paid to Celwyn was also no more favorable than would have been payable for comparable property in arms-length transactions with non-affiliated parties. During the past fiscal year the Company recorded the sum of $413,609 as its share of the excess rental from Celwyn. BACKGROUND The Company discontinued the retail department store segment of its operations on January 3, 1989. The Company has continued its real estate operation, including but not limited to the sale/purchase and/or lease of properties, as conducted prior to the discontinuance of its retail department store segment. OTHER INFORMATION The Board of Directors is not aware, at the date hereof, of any other matter to be presented which is a proper subject for action by the shareholders at the meeting. If any other matter comes before the meeting, it is intended that the persons named in the accompanying form of proxy will vote thereon in their discretion. - ---------- * Reference is made to the caption "Security Ownership Beneficial Owners and Management" (pages 1 to 3) for information concerning the ownership interests which certain nominees and officers have in Enterprises and Celwyn. 11 Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company's officers and directors, and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of the Company's equity securities to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company believes that during the fiscal year ended July 31, 1997, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to its officers, directors and greater than ten percent beneficial owners were complied with. METHOD AND COST OF SOLICITATION OF PROXIES The Company will pay the cost of soliciting proxies. In addition to solicitation by mail, employees of the Company may request the return of proxies personally, by telephone, or other electronic means if proxies are not received promptly and may request brokerage houses and custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to forward soliciting material to their principals and the Company will reimburse them, on request, for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. DEADLINE FOR SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 1998 ANNUAL MEETING Proposals of shareholders intended to be presented at the 1998 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be received at the Company's executive offices for inclusion in its Proxy Statement and form of proxy relating to that meeting no later than the close of business June 22, 1998. ANNUAL REPORT The Company's Annual Report to Shareholders (which is not a part of the proxy soliciting material) for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1997, including financial statements, is enclosed with this Proxy Statement. By order of the Board of Directors, SALVATORE CAPPUZZO Secretary Dated: Brooklyn, New York October 20, 1997 12 J. W. MAYS, INC. PROXY--SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS The undersigned hereby appoints Lloyd J. Shulman, Alex Slobodin and Ward N. Lyke, Jr. and each of them, attorneys and Proxies, with full power of substitution in each, for and on behalf of the undersigned, to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of J. W. Mays, Inc. to be held on November 25, 1997 (including any adjournments thereof) the number of shares of common stock that the undersigned is entitled to vote and with all powers the undersigned would possess if personally present, as specified with respect to the matters described in the accompanying Proxy Statement dated October 20, 1997 and upon such other matters as may properly come before such meeting. 1. Proposal to fix the number of directors to be elected at eight. FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN [ ] 2. FOR [ ] or WITHHOLD [ ] authority to vote for the election of ALL of the following nominees for directors; Frank J. Angell, Lance D. Myers, Jack Schwartz, Lloyd J. Shulman, Max L. Shulman, Sylvia W. Shulman, Lewis D. Siegel, and Alex Slobodin (INSTRUCTION: TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL NOMINEE, WRITE THAT NOMINEE'S NAME ON THE LINE BELOW.) ----------------------------------------------------------- 3. Ratify the appointment of D'Arcangelo & Co., LLP, as independent certified public accountants. FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN [ ] (please date and sign on the reverse side) 4. In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other matters as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof. A majority (or, if only one, then that one) of the Proxies or their substitutes who shall be present and act at the Meeting may exercise all powers hereby conferred. THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED, BUT WHERE NO DIRECTION IS INDICATED, THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR ITEMS 1, 2 AND 3. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR ITEMS 1, 2 AND 3. DATED___, 1997. ------------------------------------------------- SIGNATURE OF SHAREHOLDER ------------------------------------------------- SIGNATURE OF SHAREHOLDER NOTE: PLEASE SIGN EXACTLY AS YOUR NAME APPEARS ON THIS PROXY. IF STOCK IS OWNED JOINTLY, EACH JOINT OWNER SHOULD SIGN. WHEN SIGNING AS ATTORNEY, EXECUTOR, ADMINISTRATOR, TRUSTEE OR GUARDIAN, PLEASE GIVE YOUR FULL TITLE AS SUCH. PROXIES EXECUTED BY A CORPORATION SHOULD BE SIGNED WITH THE FULL CORPORATE NAME BY THE PRESIDENT OR OTHER AUTHORIZED OFFICER. IF A PARTNERSHIP, PLEASE SIGN IN PARTNERSHIP NAME BY AUTHORIZED PERSON. PLEASE MARK, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD USING THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE PAID ENVELOPE.