The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-12-12
HE ADMIRES GEO. PECK.
The New President of the Santa Fe,
Mr.. Ripley's
GOOD WORDS FOR KANSAS FAYORITB,

Interesting Things Said and Done by
Distinguished Railroad Men Now in
the City.
President Edward Payson Ripley of
the Santa Fe is a thorough Kansan in
one particular; that is his estimation of
George R. Peck. In MI Ripley's opinion
Mr. Peck 10 one of the best of good fell
lows, and he has the strongest admiration
for the attorneys wit and legal qualifca-
tons. In speaking of the coincidence
of the change in their positions, Mr..
Peck's acceptance of the position of
general counsel of the Milwaukee & st.
Paul shortly before the election of Mir.
Ripley as president of the Santa Fe, Mr..
Ripley said: Fair exchange would
have been no robbery, but in this case
the exchange was not fair The Mil
waukee s. ST. Paul secured the
best man." Like the majority of great
railroad officials, Mr.. Ripley started in
subordinate position and advanced
through the different stages of railroad
work. His career is an illustration of
what energy and perseverance will do.
Ia 1857 he started as a clerk in the
freight Office of the Pennsylvania railway
at a minimum salary. Today he is the
pESSAQ0ub Vi VIC SIC0hC0k AoAAAOd0 BULL
in the world.
Today a Topeka man has the distin-
guished trust of being one of the custo-
dians of one of the largest securities in
the commercial world. This is J. B.
johnson.
Yesterday morning there was deposit
ed in the vault of the First National bank
legal documents showing that to the indi-
vidual charge of Special Master J. B.
Johnson, and subject to his order alone.
there was placed one hundred and TWEEN
ty-eight millions of first mortgage bonds.
THAT is the biggest thing l ever got
hold Of" laughingly remarked Judge
Johnson last evening.
Although no public demonst1 alton in
the way of banquet or entertainment
had been rendered the visiting Santa Fe
officials, it is not because steps were not
taken in that direction. The Topeka
club, of which a large number of Santa
Fe officials in this city are members,
wished to arrange an elaborate ban
quet and reception in their honor, and
would have done so had it not been
known that the officials themselves de-
sired that nothing of that kind take
place. This desire is easy of explana-
ton, inasmuch as the officers were in the
city on purely business matters and there
time has been almost WHOLLY occupied
with the duties of the occasion. If
banquet and reception had been tender
ed them they would out of courtesy have
attended, and this might have indirectly
interfered with some of their business
transactions.
Edward D. Kenna. who succeeded
George r. Peck as general counsel of
the Santa Fe, believes that at the meet
ing of the directors today nothing will be
done in reference TO the election of
second vice president.
"If steps are taken in that direction"
said Mr. Kenna, sit will be surprise to
me. When l was in New York the in
tentions were to leave that position open,
and l do not think there has been a
change since that time
1.-The position can be filled at any time
| and the directors will probably take
their time in the selection of man well
fitted for the place."