The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-07-14
ALL NIGHT AT PAULINE.
Santa Fe Officials Had Their Train
Sidetracked There.

An inspection tour over the branch
lines of the Santa Fe in eastern Kan
sas is being made by the officials of the
road The party left Kansas City yes
Leavenworth branch and a portion of
the L. T. & S. w. road yesterday after
noon, arriving in Topeka at $40 last
night over that line. At $3.50 the spec
ial train left Topeka for Pauline, where
it was sidetracked during the night,
enabling the officials to enjoy rest in
the country. The train left Pauline
early this morning, transferring to the
Manhattan, Alma & BurIingaFne line
at Burlingame, and an inspection of
that branch was made today. From
Manhattan the route is over the Union
Pacific to Abilene, from Abilene over
the Strong City branch to Manchester,
and from that point over the AIinneap-
oils branch to Barnard, The party ex-
poets to return to Topeka tomorrow
evening.
The party of officials consists of
President Ripley, Vice President Nor
ton, General Manager Frey, General
of Machinery Player. Assistant Freight
Traffic Manager -Bissell, Assistant to
the President HigginSOn, Assistant
General Freight Agent Hudson, and d.
E. Richardson, a prominent grain dea-
Ter of Chicago. The division officials
also accompanied the train. The To-
pelza officials met the eastern officials
in Kansas City.
President Ripley stated to a Journal
reporter last night that the trip was
merely for the purpose of inspection,
thorough inspection having never been
made of these branches, and that it
had no reference whatever to the OPP
GRAFTON of the branch. lines.
rs there any intention of abolishing
the office of first vice president" was
asked Mr.. Ripley.
mo sir, none whatever" he replied.
THE office will not be filed at present,
but it will be at some future time. How
soon, 1 am unable. to say. PrOba bly, not
for several months"
''Wil1 the Office of second vice presi-
dent also be hlled?'
wei, think that when the board
of directors elected first and third vice
presidents, they also meant to fill the
second vice presidency at some time.
You see this is a new horse we are
driving, and we must learn his PAGES
before we attempt to do too much. The
road is now on solid footing, but we
must have business to live. At pres
ent business is very discouraging.'
Is it your opinion that the Santa Fe
viii acquire the Atlantic & Paci1c?'
I think that it will be found to the
advantage of those concerned to ANAL
gamate the roads. don't anticipate
separation. However, if the A & P.
should withdraw from the system, the
Santa Fe would probably build
In reference to the position of gen
eraI manager of the Gulf, Colorado &
Santa Fe, Mr.. Ripley said that the
matter had not yet been decided, but
would probably be given out in the
course of two weeks. He said that Mr..
YOakum's successor would probably
be a man well acquainted with the
country through which the roads run.
The especial purpose for which the
traffic officials are making the trip is
to take a birds eye view of the crop
prospects. Vice President Morton said
that so far the crop prospects were ex-
cellent." We expect to do a large grain
business this fall" said Mr. Morton,
but I do not anticipate that the earn
ings will be great. Prices will be low,
and as consequence we will have to
do the hauling at a low rate. think,
also, that there will be much cOmpeti-
ton for business. In Texas the cotton
prospects are fine, and there is money
in hauling cotton
Mr. Morton said the question of clos
ing the Union avenue ticket Office has
not yet been decided. He said that the
closure of a number of Offices at east
ern points was under consideration, but
that no further retrenchment in this
line would be made in Kansas.
Vice President Morton is well ac-
quainted with w. J. Bryan, the Demo-
cratic nominee for president, having
known him for several years. He says
that he is man of very high charac-
ter, a good orator and an able lawyer
That if elected to the presidency, he
has the executive ability to I'LL that
Office with honor to his party.