Omaha daily bee., 1889-04-14
THE HEADQUARTERS HOPPER
Filled With Interesting Notes Con-
cernine Railroads People.
THE WIFE OF A GREAT PRESIDENT.
"Tom Kimball and Mo- Changes in
the Union Pacifio--The u. Il M.
Circulars of Two Different
Dates-Others Items.
A President,s Wife.

blNC vi blt ScubltE sCAs WIN EtcluCo ih
one Of the most palatial residences OF
the city OF Boston, and is surrounded
with volumes OF select literature, would
give her attention to the brain -racking
consideration of railroading-that is,
the study of the railway world, with all
its intricate problems? Yet, such Is
the case, in the wife of President
Strong of the Atchison Topeka & Santa
Fe. While in Omaha, several days
ago, reporter, in skirmishing for an
interview with the latter, CHANGED to
saunter into his private coach that was
standing on the side track at the st.
Paul depot. On entering, an elderly
lady bearing all the marks of culture
and refinement, was busily engaged in
preparing manuscript.
Pardon me, but is this Mrs. Strong?"
Eyes sir. Did you wish TO see Mr..
Strong?"
The reporter replied in the affirma-
tive.
"Well, he has just stepped out to the
telegraph Office, but will soon return.
Will you not be seated and await his ar
The scribe gazed at the Turkish rugs,
upholstery and richly furnished state
room of the car, and then dropped into
a remNe corner apparently lost in
costly drapery. Satisfied that he had
extended the ethics of even reportorial
etiquette, he decided to lie in another
ambush until the magnate put in ap-
pearance, and devote his time to devils
ing means of escape in case of fire-by
that dignitary. But Mrs. Strong took
different view of the situation,
as compared with most women, and, in
short, the reporter found himself con-
versing with full-hedged railroad
woman. Did she understand the situa-
tion? Well, just as we'll as many man
who now revels in the presidency of
trunk line. She was posted on the
financial outlook, Interstate law, the
presidents agreement, the stock mar
ket on Wall street, and in fact every
thing essential to person high up in
railroad circles. She knows the techni-
calities, and can answer questions per-
tanning to railroad matters in Ian
guage and with degree of intelligence
which would greatly test the ability of
the best traffic managers to equal.
After interviewing both the presi
dent and his wife, the choice between
the two interviews for publication re-
solved itself into grammatical prob
lem with gender" in the balance, and
the old system was given procedure,
the presidents ersionsupplanting that
of his learned wife.
One day when Fl. A. johnson, at that
time assistant general freight agent of
the Union Pacific, was rushing to and
fro in the headquarters i'll u manner
that attracted the attention of his asso-
clates, one of the latter.inquired of him
what was the matter. Running his fin
gers through his disheveled locks and
with the dignity of a Spanish envoy, he
exclaimed, adams is in Boston, Tom
Potter is away, and nobody but me and
Kimball 10 do the work." The stress
which he laid upon me-" and the
words spoken on that occasion elected
hearty laugh from those who knew
just how big man 'me" was at the
time.
~
After silence extending over
period of years, the curfew OF the Bur-
lington is tolling. What does it r. m?
That is the question which is whis., led
by many lip which uttered words of
encouragement to President Perkins,
when, at the head of gigantic mo-
nopoly, he was endeavoring to crush a
resentlng element of honest laborers.
But what a change, and what II differ
ent meaning the circular conveyed
which made Its appearance at the Bur-
lington headquarters in this
city Monday, as compared with
that which was directed to every
clerk in the building just one year
previously. The former was ION and
after May /, 1889, your services will no
longer be required;" the latter stand
by the Burlington and for those who do,
J,rpnnntinp will hp in Dr1ap ~ What a.
contrast! True, every clerk in the
headquarters in Omaha remained at his
post. But now the strike is matter of
history and the heads of the men that
did stand by the Burlington are be-
ginning to fall like ripehed fruit when
disturbed by an autumnal breeze.
~
The general opinion is that General
Manager Stone is largely to blame for
the engineers strike on the Burling-
ton, but an individual, we'll up in rail-
road circles, states that President Per-
kins Is the man who is responsible. He
states that when the management OF the
Burlington first came to an issue with
the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engin-
eers, Stone favored arbitration, and
consulted President Perkins. The lat
ter not being cogniZant OF the situation,
and not attaching any Importance to
the demands of the brotherhood, TOOK
the stand that the Burlington had no
right to countenance any aggressive
movement on the part of any OF its
employees in the light of an arbitration.
The individual claims that Stone, in
the face OF his superior officer, reported
the condition of affairs. and plainly
demonstrated that he favored arbitra-
ton, but. ON the second issue, received
no encouragement from President Per-
| kins. The result Is historical, and if
| the reports be true, it cost the Burling-
ton company 81 ,OOO, ,000 to test the policy
| of President Perkins.
**s
The fact that, ten days hence, the
present official roster OF the Union Pa
citic will be closely scrutinlzed by the
stockholders of the company, has put
| every official of high rank on the
anxious seat. Many are of the opinion
that some radical changes will be made,
and that the headquarters here will be
| the scene of official devastation. There
are numerous rumors floating about the
corridors concerning what Vice-Presi-
dent Holcomb will do, provided his past
record meets with approval. Chief
among these, is that j. A. Munroe,
general freight agent, will be requested