The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-01-22
W.iGNER AND y.INDERBILT.
How the Palace Car was Introduced on the
Commodore's Railroads.

"Did you ever hear how Wagner got his
cars on yandcrbilt's road Z" asked one gentle
man Of another the other day. as they were
being whirled along in one Of those luxurious
Goa hes over tAe Hudson River Railroad
NO"
well. as stories about tho dead Commodore
are in order | will tell you. Long before Wag-
ner ever dreamed Of being n State Senator he
was station az Mt at palatine Bridge While
thus employed he had the happy thought Of
building these cars. Inducing three others to
join him. he formed a company and altered an
old ear over 10 "a sleeper. Each Of the partners
paid in one-half Of his subscription to the capi-
tai stock and as Wagner was not a rich man at
that time. II took about all he was worth.
Well. after the ear was built. the next thing
tlorcs roads. Mr.. Wagner went 10 New York
lie first called on William H. Vanderbilt who
at that time did not have SO much to say
about the management OF the roads as he has
had for the last four or five years He listened
10 Wagners description Of his new car, and was
use for him To see the Commodore. as he was
satisfied the old man would have moth ing 20 do
iii up his car, put II on the road, and wait until
the Old gentleman saw il. assuring him that he
would soon hear from him when he did.
Wagner acted on the hint the car was put on.
and nude several trips before the Commod doro
cspied it. when he did. he gave it II critical cX;
animation. and then asked whose il was. and
how il cam" there. He was told that il belonged
10 Mr.. Wagner. and was being run as an cxperi-
mcnt Wagner Wa - nj for Immediately. when
h., came. h" found the old Commodore in Il tow
cring passion What business have you to
put "A ear on my road without permissiOnf was
his first snlutatiOn. Wagner explained the mr.
rangement he had made with William H. but
this did not seem to mOllliy the Commodore
Take your car of the road immediately he
said; III show you that am boss Of this
road
This was a hard blow for Wagner as he had
invested all he had III TINS experiment, and he
turned away with heavy heart. As he was
leaving the Commodore spoke saying. How
many cars have you got like this = Wagner
explained that he had two or three more on the
works that II was Joint stock company; and
that they would be ruined If they could not
make an Arrangement L. ruu thcir cars on the
road, Well. said the Commodore YOU can
tell the other parties that will take their stock
OIL their hands Tor what they have paid ON II.
The sooner you attend to this tho better it Will
b. Tor YOU. So, hurry up now
wagner saw tho point. and In n short time
he had bought all the rest Of the stock and
taken IL 10 tho Commodore. Lets sce.' sad
he, how much did ypu say the capital stock uf
your company isY Wagner told him. 'Wcll. |
gurss we'll multiply il 10y four, you can keep
one-lourth, and I'll take the balance, and wei
build some moro Oi them ears right away"
And that MIS- the b"ginningO of Mngnrr's pros
p"rliy To-day he is Arirh man Throd Com
modoro saw what u necessity these ears were
destined tp become, and took his own way to gct
control of them. For every dollar Wagner has
made out OF them. the Commodore made three.