The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-07-17

veracity. as vet in fair state of repair,
the writer must recall an anecdote of Jay
Gould. Mr.. Gould's personal character
lstics, in the language of Wall street,
have been beared down and sold short
until they are on the verge of bankruptcy
and a receivership. He devours lambs
and wolves regardless of hide and horns,
but he is an ideal man in his home, and a
considerate employer. A favorite general
officer of one of Gould's Western railroads
was called to New York few years ago.
and jumped on by the Little Wizard as
follows:
They tell me you are broke and don't
pay your debts. What is the matter p"
The officer sputtered and stammered.
at costs me great deal to live" he re-
piled. "My family is large, rents are high
and doctors bills have been considerable,
but things are not as bad as you seem to
think" 'I'll see." said Gould, handing
out check for 81. 600. Take this over to
Conner and tell him to put it in the mar
ket as he sees fit. Come back here when
he tells you to.
The man obeyed. It was an exciting
day in Wabash. and he returned to Gould
with $4,000 $50 you've been speculat-
ing" exclaimed Gould "Don't do it
again. That's what ails you fellows who
don't know what you are about. You bet
ter go home now"
good-by with pruiuse thanks and started.
Haven't you forgot something?" called
Gould
81 don't know"
Where's that thousand dollars I lent
you this morning? 1t seems to be true
that you don't pay your debts. Remem-
Der, my boy. the essential thing in BUSH
ness is to keep up your credit"
The embarrassed officer paid the thou
sand dollars. and it has never been neces-
sary to dun him for anything since
1t Is understood among passenger men
that it is necessary to post half-sheet
card on some telegraph pole where the
president and directors can see it and run
flaming advertisement in the particular
newspapers which they read. In fact, it is
more essential to reach the president and
directors than the public.
Cornelius Vanderbilt used to be noted
for taking this sort of superficial interest
in advertising, and when the Michigan
Central began to proclaim itself as the
niagara Falls Route" the boys put up
Job on him.
They got single picture of one of their
trains passing the falls and hung it in
Newport hotel while Mr.. Vanderbilt was
at his summer home. The bait caught,
and the Michigan Central's passenger de-
partment was highly complimented on its
effective and extensive advertising. Prob
AMY not one passenger nau seen the
picture.
4. B. Thomas, of the Erie, is q con-
scientious and impartial diseiplinarian.
His personal sympathies are with the
rank and file of employees, and no man in
America has done more to overcome the
feeling which occasionally arises through
misunderstanding between capital and
labor. He has managed several railroad
properties besides the Erie, and decided
numerous labor difficulties, with acknowl-
edged justice to all interests
He is emphatic III his demands for tenn
perance among employees, and never per-
mits wine or liquor In his private car.
II must practice what l PREACH" he
says, land if / drink while on duty cam
not consistently compel trainmen to do
otherwise
Mr.. Thomas introduced the policy of
furnishing to the newspapers full reports
of accidents where any person is killed or
injured. Not only general officers. but
division superintendent and train dis
patchers have positive instructions to give
to reporters every fact regarding an acct
dent as soon as it happens.
This way of doing business has given
some representatives of the press oppor-
tunities to be extremely sensational, and
up to the present time, looking at the mat
ter from selfish standpoint, the policy
may not have been beneficial. Mr..
Thomas insists on doing it regardless of
results, however, for the simple reason
that he believes IL to he right. IN the end
it will doubtless also pe practical benefit
to the road.