Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-12-27
ALWAYS APPROACHABLE.

HIS Ever Pleasant Dispssition.--
Regularity OF Habits.
For several days rumor has been
afioat in Chicago that Mr.. c. B. Holmes,
the head and executive power of the Chi
cago syndicate controlling all the south
side lines in Chicago. the majority of the
tri>city roads, the bridge line and the prin-
cipal roads in St. Louis, was figuring on
the purchase of the north side railways
in Chicago.
1t has been alleged that Mr.. Holmes
had spent considerable portion of his
time in making thorough inspection OF
the North side system, and especially of
the power plant on Division and Clark
streets.
Inspired with the hope that the rumor
might be based on facts, q Chicago TTf-
bnne reporter called on Mr. Holmes
Tuesday afternoon, and found that gen
tlemsn engaged discussing an ideal Christ>
mas dinner. MIR. Holmes hastily swal-
lowed luscious bit of turkey, and nap
kin in hand greeted the visitor. The
rumor in all its magnitude was briefly
stated. MIR. Holmes brushed crumb
from his vest and INDUCED in an old
fashioned Methodist smile and said
There is not a word OF truth in it,"
No foundation for the storyP'
Not the slightest. | have not taken
a ride on North Side street car for two
years"
you don't know what YOU have
missed"
Possibly not. More than that, have
not been in the power plant since it was
started. That must be almost quite two
years ago. | understand that the prop
erty is not for sale.
Have you made any inquiries on that
subject2"
20, no; none at all. Don't pay any
attention to such statements; they are
untrue. You must excuse me; my dinner
is getting cold. Merry Christmas"
Merry Christmas
MIR. Holmes manner of greeting the
Chicago reporter and leaving his Christ
mas dinner to patiently impart all the in
formation desired. calls to mind some res
marks made by Mr.. c. J Luck, superin-
tendent of the track operations Of the
same company, 10 an ARGUS representa-
tive concerning his chief, while in con-
versation on general topics last MONDAY
evening, and Just before the memorable
street car ride across the island of Roct
Island and bridges was undertaken.
MIR Holmes is wonderful man
said Mr.. Luck. He is probably one o
the busiest men in Chicago; has man
interests to look after. yet he is one o
the most peculiar and at the same tim
one of the most pleasant OF men Il
is always approximate. There al
no sentries to pass in getting into h
business office. When III the city, he
always there, from s g m. 10 ) II
And between those hours he is approach
able to all The most humble di
shoveller on his line may walk right i
to his presence and receive a respectfr
audience till his mission is stated. r.
poriers always find him at home to, and b
always gives them all the informatiC
that they seek and that is proper, but
has polite way OF dlsmissing the
without telling them any more than
desires to.
Every morning the chiefs of the va
GUS departments of his system meet
his Office to report, and receive orders
there are any. He talks with each in !
tattoo, dispatches business promptly u
finishes this part of his work by &C
ktain time each day. All the rest Of
duties are taken up IN regular order a
be makes time for any side ISSUES Il
may come up. No man ever wrote b
s letter on any subject that did not
ceive a prompt answer. at least.
gives the same attention 10 the lii
things that be does to the more imp;
tant ones, and the whole responsibility
all the various enterprises under the c.
troll of the syndicate, of which he Is pr
ident, are left in his hands One Of
heavy stockholders once said: We d,
bother our heads about any of J
Holmes deals or movements, He d
pretty much as he pIeases, ard usut
comes out all right"
Il have alluded to the regularity OF
habits. don't suppose he varies
minutes in his time for getting down
his Office iu the morning At noon
goes to neighboriug restaurant, get
light lunch, usually the same thing
when 5 O'Clock comes he is of for b
to dinner Nothing will keep him
his Office after that hour, unless it i
pressing Importance. He once said
me. DO all that you possibly can to.
but when quitting time comes,
and get at it again early in the morn
when you are fresh and in good tr
So it is with everything. We al!
him, and while he is never graf,
know when he gives an order. he m
tit must be done and that settles
yet I have known him 10 get a
2 O'Clock in the morning and talk
= reporter in his night cloths, whe
most men, would have sent the j
dent visitor flying. know woulC