The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-05-11
ADAMS AFTER SCALPS.
The President Of the Union Pacific
Railroad Stirring Things Up
at Omaha.
Men Who Carried Out the In
structions Of Their Chiefs Be-
ing Dismissed.
Tho Policy Of Curtailinr Expenses BY Iee.
ting the Road Go to Ruin to bs
Changed.

OAAHA. Neb., May 10.-lSpecial.1- lit has
transpired that the trip of President Ad-
AIMS, Dirsctor Ames and other high officials
of the Unian Pacific, which was given out
to be one of ordinary inspection, was really
one necessarily brought about by the alarm.
ing condition of the road. The road all
along has been losing investment and in
order to check the expenditure, tho present
management sought to curtail expenses and
did SO by deprivinR the operating depart
ment of the funds required to keep the
road and rolling stock up to the standard.
Thus the net earnings were temporarily in
creased. In bringing this about the roll
ing stock and general equipment Of the
road has been 80 badly impaired that halt
became necessary. The rolling stock has
been worn out and the road has bsen dam
aged in degree that has rendered il unfit
for service. Subordinate officials have
called the attention of the management to
this condition of affairs, and predicted q dire
disaster unless different policy was
adopted. The management, however, paid
no attention to thesec complaints
until things had gone 80 far that vast ex-
penditure of money became necessary to
restore the road to proper condition, and
since the arrival of President Adams, sew
eral days ago, general shaking up among
the local officials of the road has taken
place. 1t is reported on good authority
that the course of the management was dis
approved. The ineficiency Of certain su-
bordinates drew upon them the wrath Of
the president. Among the first heads to
fall was that of j. X. Choate, superintend-
ent of the Idaho division. Choate is an
able railroad official and his dismissal is
attributed to the manner in which he was
pinned down by the management. It is
semi-officially reported that George @.
Cushing, superintendent of motive power
and machinery Of the entire system, inolud-
ing the Fort Scott & Gulf and Oregon
Short Line, has rendered his resignation
upon request Of the management. Gushing
was brought here by Vice. President
Holcomb and though known to be incom-
petent, was retained until his dismissal be-
came necessary. His policy of retrench-
ment has been to cut down expenses, re-
gardless Of consequences, and the dilapi-
dated condition Of the rolling stock is direct
ly due to his inefficient management. It ID
also reported semi-ofiicially that the trip Of
President Adams to the Pacific coast, for
which he will start tomorrow, will result in
the retirement of O. J. Smith, general man
ager of the Union Pacific lines west of
Huntington, and g. w. johnson, general
superintendent of that road. James Will
son, CushinR's first assistant, has rendered
his resignation to take effect as soon az his
successor can be appointed. During the
conference here, resulting in the retirement
of j. X. Choate, General Traffic Manager
Mellen, of the Union Pacific, and General
Manager Meeker, of the Fort Scott d Gulf,
are said to have entered into a bitter dis
pute on the policy of retiring Choate.
Meeker favored his retirement while Mellen
opposed. Vice President Holcomb sup
ported Meeker and the affair nearly resulted
in an official eruption even more serious and
extensive than that which has already 90
curred