The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-08-31


tered, until at last he became the presi-
dent OF one Of the greatest railway corpora
tons in the world, certainly the greatest
in the number Of miles of track operated
by it. 1t was the Atchison, Topeka and
Santa Fe system.
He was only q little past 30 when he was
placed in this post of great responsibility
and opportunity, one of the youngest men
ever chosen to such a responsible posi-
ton President Reinhart, for it is of him
that this experience is related, never had
other opportunity for learning the details
of the railway business than that which
he obtained either Gs subordinate or prin-
cipal in the rooms where railway accounts
are kept.
In that department he displayed unu-
suaI ability, and after he was placed in
charge OF the accounts of the Atchison
system he prepared and published re-
port upon the condition Of that great prop
erty which fascinated those who are in
tercsted in railway affairs far more than
any novel could do. II had such instan-
taneous success in the railway world as
some Of the stories of Dickens did in the
world of fiction readers. II was an almost
marvellous display of what could be done
with figures and what dramatic and ex
citing story they could be made to tell.
As a result of this literature of figures
Mr. Reinhart was promoted so that he be-
came vice president Of the company, hav-
ing supreme control over the accounts,
subject only 10 the action of the president
or directors. Later he was chosen preSi-
dent, but within few months after he
thus became associated with some of the
greatest railroad managers Of the country
his corporation was compelled TO ask the
protection of the courts. Not long after
that another one of those who are able TO
go behind the mystery Of figures and TO
dig out from it the truth which lies con
Cealed made a report which alarmed the
business world.
This magician Of figures, or expert &C
cOuntant. discovered that in one of the
special accounts there was concealed, as
he said an enormous deficiency or obliga-
ton incurred, as he reported or suggested,
through the payment of rebates, orperhaps
for some other reason due either TO unfor-
tunate management, or, as some Of the
stockholders have charged, 20 Illegal acts,
done prior TO Mr.. Reinhart's control. If
this special account, amounting to as much
as s., 600, OJO was created to cover up the
payment OF rebates then il was a deceit
made possible by the ability to manipu-
late figures 50 that they might tell any
tale for under the laws of congress the
payment of rebates is illegal Mr. Rein
hart was not responsible for these acts,
but he was the victim, because the discov-
cry was made during his term. Figures
brought him his high Office, and figures
afterward cost him his place and splendid
opportunities.
Whatever the reason for the creation Of
this account the exposure Of the expert
accountant was followed by the resigna-
ton of Mr. Reinhart from the presidency,
and he thus was made TO suffer for the
mistakes of Others.
The ability TO analyze figures and the
capacity so to group them as TO make
them tell the truth 50 that anybody can
understand it at a glance are among the
most important OF the qualities which
the direction of great railway demands.
There have been very able railway man
ayers who had no special capacity for deal
ing with figures in the way Of accounts
and, on the other hand, some very able
GnanCiers would make very poor prac-
teal directors OF railway companies Mr.
Gould was one of these latter. lie had
an extraordinary capacity for analyZing
figures When he was thinking OF buy
ing a railway, he always called for the re-
ports, and he went through them almost
by intuition. SO that no magician Of fig
ures was ever able 10 deceive him There
in lay his great power. He was able 20
employ very able men 10 manage his rail
ways, but there were only one or two men
whom lie ever met whose judgment he re
lied upon in the examination Of accounts
and reports.
LUcius futile, the young president of
the great Boston and Maine system, has
both the capacity 10 analyze figures and
10 manage q railroad. and 20 had Tom
Scott, i'm some respects the greatest rail-
way president We have ever had. Com
mod0re Vanderbilt could organize, could
discover the weak OF false statements in
any reports or figures, but be vas not real
J. great practical manager and know
ing that he always employed az the high
est salaries men who had conspicuous ablI-
ity ia that way. J.. e. EDT ARDS,