The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-11-30
MODEL FOR OTHERS
THE PENNSYLVANIA RAILWAY SYs-
TEN HELD Up As Az EXAMPLE.
How Its Passenger Department Is
COnducted-Everett st. Johns Resig-
nation from the Rock Island.

Not only in this country, but in foreign
countries, the Pennsylvania system Of rail-
ways is looked upon as a model in the man.
ner in which the lines are operated, and in
no department is IL more noticeable than
in the passenger department. The official
figures show that the Pennsylvania road
proper and its Western system have secured
a business which involves lie carrying OF
100000 passengers. who pay into the treas
uries of these companies the enormous an
nual total of s24,0Oo.O 600, and these tickets
are sold through some 100 agents. OF the
various descriptions of tickets-local, cou-
pom and foreign-the company issues Co.
100000 annually. East of Pittsburg, james
Wood is general passenger agent. and
George w. Boyd vice assistant general pas
senger agent of the line west Of Pittsburg;
L. A. Ford is general passenger agent and
F. Vandeusen vice assistant general passen-
ger agent. Each general passenger agent
has a number Of assistant general passen-
ger and district passenger agents. located
at twenty or more prominent railway points
in this country. extending from the Atlantic
to the Pacific coast, and from the lakes to
the gulf; besides this, in all foreign coun-
tries there are one or more points where
tAA&' - LII AAao
its passenger department. These repreSen-
tatives keep the higher officials informed
as to the exact situation in the large ter
ritory covered. The men who have charge
OF this department are keen and shrewd,
and have been thoroughly trained TO ill
positions given them. The general passeIl-
ger agent is at the head of the department
on both the East and West systems, and
in each case reports to the first vice presi-
dent. The tourist bureau, when has yield
ed so much revenue to the pennsylvania
road, was an idea of Mr.. Boyd, who has
made a decided success of this feature OF
their business. In fact, all real hard work
falls to the chief assistant general passenger
agent, as the general passenger agents are
busy looking after the passenger traffic at
home and abroad, attending meetings, ad-
justing rates and settling grievances which
may arise between them and their compel
it0rs, and, in fact, passing on all questions
which affect the maintenance of rates.
Everett st. John.
The action Of Everett St. John in re-
signing the general managership OF the Chi
cago, Rock Island & Pacific railway to ac-
cept the vice presidency of the Seaboard
Airline has caused surprise in the West.
Mr.. st. John has been connected with the
Rock Island road FOR the past thirty-one
years, starting as a clerk in the general
passenger office at a small salary. He was
born in Litchfeld county. Connecticut,
Feb. 4, 1874. He lost his father when he
was but four years old, and he was given
a public school education by his mother.
At the age of eighteen he came West to
Quincy, ILL.,, where he secured a position
IS clerk in the general Offices Of the old
Quincy & Toledo railroad at a salary of
SO per month. He was afterward made
depot ticket agent OF the same road. This
road was afterward united with the Great
Western road of Illinois. After this con-
Solidation he was given a clerksh.p in the
general ticket department at Springfield.
July 4. 1863, Mr.. st. o accepted a posi-
with the Chicago & Rock Island now the
Chicago, Rock Island & Pacihc), when he
entered upon a career for which his thirty
one years of service have shown him to
have been fitted: From November. 1864.
10 September, 1865, he was chief clerk of
the general ticket department OF the same
road. From September, 1869, to Jan. 1,
1879. he occupied the position of general
ticket agent. From Jan. j. 1879, to July !,
1885. he was general ticket and passenger
agent. From July ], 1885. TO July 1. 1856. he
addition TO his duties as general ticket and
passenger agent From July u, 1856. to
to September, 1887. he was assistant general
manager. In September, 1887, Mr.. ST. John
was appointed general manager of the en-
tire Rock Island system. which position he
has filled with ability up to the present
time.
Mr.. ST. John is a railroad official of the
brcad-minded type. He has worked hard at
every point to further the interests of the
Rock Island road, frequently putting in
from fourteen to sixteen hours a day. He
is strictly a traffic official. He is chairman
of the General Managers Association. a
Transmissouri Freight Association, also
OF the Western Railway Weighing Asso-
citation and Inspection Bureau, the Chicago
Car Service Association and the executive
committee of the Western Freight Asso-
citation. He was also chairman OF the rail-
road financial committee of the worlds
fair. AS chairman of the General Man.
ayers Association during the great rail-
road strike last summer Mr.. ST. Johns
executive ability was brought into service.
During the dark days Of last June and
July he presided at the daily meetings of
the general managers and worked night
and day TO overthrow the boycott against
1t is not definitely known who will sue
coed Mr.. st. John as general manager of
the Rock Island, but from indications it
is believed that Mr.. John NJ. Egan, for
merly general manager of the Great West
ern, will be appointed to the position. Mr..
st. John takes the place of John C.
ager of the Seaboard Airline. He will
assume the duties of his new position Jan.
l next. and will make his headquarters
either at Norfolk or Portsmouth. Va. The
Seaboard Airline is, next to the Southern
Railway Company, the most important rail-
way syetem in the South. 1t is the con-
Meeting link between New York and New
Orleans in almost an air line along the At
lantic seaboard. The Airline system proper
comprises nearly 92i miles of road.
European Plan the Most Popular.
Some months ago the Cincinnati, Hamil-
ton g. Dayton and the Monon adopted the
plan of charging for meals in the dining
cars by the card instead of a fixed rate per
meal, and since that time have served 40
per cent. more of the passengers. realizing
about 20 cents per meal served and much
better pleasing the patrons of their lines.
The Wisconsin Central has adopted the
same plan with It's dining Cars. Sin .rfl,
after the c., III. & ID. and the Monon adopt
ed this plan the Lehigh Valley road did so.
On this road ii has been in vogue nine
months. and the average amount each pas
senger who took meals paid was 72l2 cents.
The Parent Line to BE
The Pittsburg, Cincinnati, Chicago & st.
Louis railroad directors met in Pittsburg
on Wednesday and authorized an addition
al issue of $4,000 % of bonds. The securi-
ties will be turned over TO the parent line.
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, to re-
imburse il for expenditures already made
upon this portion of its system. The p,
c., c.. & St. l.. is doing a large freight
business, heavy shipments from st. Louis
and Chicago being made over the Pan
handle lines to relieve the PittSburg, Fort
WAYNE & Chicago, and thus give the latter
clearer tracks for the increased passenger
business.
Personal, Local and General Notes.
Agents of the new. Southern railway are
coming North looking after business.
Judge Herter has confirmed the sale of