Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-08-10
FISHBACK MUST GO.
The Agent of the Chicago, st. Paul &
Kansas Asked to Quit =
HE WILL HAVE HIS INNING LATER,
When He Sees the President, Through
Whom He Was Appointed.
OTHER CHANGES LIABLE TO FOLLOW

The railroad men of this city, particular
ly the local agents of roads west of Chicago
are agitated over a matter which threatens
to lose two or three of the most prominent
freight agents heads. Already one has
been requested to resign, and a successor ap-
pointed. 1t is rumored that two others will
follow him, on account of their connection
with the alleged conspiracy to have him re-
moved.
About year ago E. S. Fishback, Tray
cling Passenger Agent of the Chicago, st.
Paul and Kansas City Railroad at In
dianapoIis, was appointed General Agent of
the same company in this city. Mr.. Fish
back succeeded Colonel W. T. Block, who
was formerly general agent in this city, but
severed his connection with the company
and went West. Mr.. Fishback at once be-
came very popular and made many friends
with freight shippers of this city. Under
his management the tonnage of the road
greatly increased. and many of the older
Western lines lost business in consequence.
THE INTERNAL TROUBLES.
In the same Office with Mr.. Fishback is
Walter Passavant, Contracting Freight
Agent, or merely a clerk under the Gen
eral Agent. Several months ago Mr.. Fish
back incidentally heard that his clerk had
preferred charges against him for failing to
conduct the Office as economically as it
might have been. 1t was supposed by Mr..
Fishback these charges were made for the
sole purpose of working him out of his
position. Upon one occasion Mr.. Passavant
was absent three or four days, and, when
asked by his superior where he was, said he
Mad been in Chicago. Mr.. Fishback was
led 10 believe that twice his contracting
agent had personally seen P. G. Stoerr, the
General Agent, and urged the removal of
the Plttsburg agent.
In this matter, Mr.. Fishback end his
friends claim, the contracting freight agent
was backed up by his brother, Harry Par
savant, Pittsburg agent of the Union Pa
cifc. When Mr.. Fishback heard of his
clerks opposition he discharged him. The
latter then, it is asserted, wrote q note to
Mr.. Stoerr stating what had been done, and
the General Agent answered that he could
remain in his position, notwithstanding the
orders from Mr.. FIshback to the contrary.
This was about Two weeks ago. A letter
was received by Mr.. Passavant on wednes-
day, saying J. L. Winnett, travelling pas
senger agent of the road at Chicago, had
been appointed to succeed Mr.. Fishback,
and Mr.. Passavant was ordered to report to
the new general agent. Mr.. Fishback also
got a letter in which his resignation was
to take effect on the 10Th inst.
1t was expected, however, that Mr.. Passa-
want would be appointed to succeed Mr..
Fishback.
GOING UP HIGHER.
Now comes another interesting feature of
the case. Harry Passavsnt of the Union
Pacific, who, it is claimed, has been backing
his brother, has been reported for his con-
nection with the affair to w. E. Ten Brock,
the General Eastern Agent of the company,
at New York. When Mr.. Ten Brock went |
to the Union Pacific, it is reported, lie had |
some trouble with Mr.. Passavant, and there |
has been considerable feeling between them |
since An effort is to be made, 1t is said,
to try and work Harry Passavant out also. |
Mr.. Fishback and Mr.. Ten Brock are per- |
sonaI friends, and the influence of Pittsburg |
agents and shippers aids them. Walter |
Passavant will also come in for considerable |
from the Pittsburg people.
In addition to writing letters protesting |
against the removal of Mr.. Fishback, some |
of the largest shippers in the city say they |
will carry the matter to the executive Off |
,ials. They allege, if he is displaced, they
will give all their Western freight to other |
competing lines. This might put differ
ent aspect on the case, for it is practically a
boycott.
MR.. FISHBACK SPEAKS.
When Mr.. Fishback was asked yesterday |
If il was true he intended to leave the road, |
be replied:
Yes. l go on the 18th; but my salary will be |
paid until the FIRST of the month don't know
who my successor will be. was done up'' by
IN alleged friend: but it may be possible that |
will stay for while longer. was sent here
through the influence Of the President of the |
road, and when he heard was to be removed he
me to meet him III st. Paul on the
10Th. Things may be changed slightly then;
but hardly think / would remain anyhow
The general freight agent could make IL decid-
edly unpleasant for me in many ways, but / am
not going out of the:railroad business by any
means. was surprised to know that a number
of prominent Pittsburg shippers had written
10 Chicago, protesting against my removal.
was appointed by traffic manager who did I
not agree with the new General Manager, and
be has since resigned. Within the last two
months ID of his appointees have been removed
fha Los CT fon L