The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-02-27
PRESIDENT RIPLEY HERE.
He Says if the Business of the Santa
Fe
SHOWS A STEADY INCREASE SHORTLY

There Will BE No Further Reduction
BrOus lat Within UheIncOme-And No
Cut Will BE Made An Salaries.
President E. P. Ripley of the Santa
Fe. in company with First Vice Presi-
dent D. B. Robinson, Third Vice Presi-
dent Paul Morton and General Manager
J. J. Frey, arrived in Topeka this morn
ing at O'Clock, in a special train of four
cars from their inspection trip over the
western and southern lines of the road.
President Ripley and Vice Presidents
Robinson and Morton spent the entire
morning up to II o'clock at the general
office building in conference with Treas
urer Edward Wilder and Auditor J. F.
II. McKibben, in reference to the &C
counts of the road. At II o'clock the
PARTY, accompanied by General Superin-
tendent H. c. Nudge, left on an in-
spection trip over the ST. Joe
branch and the L. T. s. S,
w. road, stopping at Leavenworth,
Atchisou, and st. Joe. From st. Joe
Messrs. Ripley. Robinson and Morton
will go direct TO Chicago and the Topeka
officials will return to this city Saturday
morning.
President Ripley was seen at the gen.
eral offices by a STATE JOURNAL reporter
and asked concerning his impression as
to the condition of the road. He said:
''The road is physically in a very salts
factory condition indeed. OF course it is
not in such a condition that we do not
ever intend to make any changes, but
at present it is in an excellent condition
and l am we'll satisfied.
'Will any further changes be made in
the way of retrenchment?" was asked.
"That depends on how we find things
from time to time," replied Mr.. Ripley.
"If the business of the road increases
there will be no need of further changes,
but should the present light business
continue it is probable that further re-
trenchment will be necessary. We intend
to operate the road on a strictly bust
mass principle and where We hnd
an opportunity to cut of something
which, although very nice, may be
totally unnecessary, it will be done.
Economy is necessity in the operation
OF a railroad as it is in any other line of
business.
The idea that have been travelling
over the road with an axe in my hand is
all nonsense. 1 have made no
changes where they were not
absolutely necessary, and in the best
interests of the road. l have i'm
ported no one to take positions, and do
not intend to so long as we have men in
the employ of the road who are bile to
90 the WOrh. nave no JrloHuS 10 re-
ward or enemies to punish"
will a cut be made in the salaries?"
asked the reporter No. replied MIR.
Ripley, emphatically. ''no cut will be
made" l believe in cutting the working
force rather than the salaries. When
salaries are cut it causes general dis
satisfaction, while when the force is cut
the individuals are the only dissatisfied
parties.
"The most important change worthy of
mention" said Mr.. Ripley. sis the open
ing of the reading rooms at division
points of the road in the western coun-
try, which were closed several years ago
In the sparsely settled districts the ga
loon is about the only resort for the rail-
road men, and l believe the reading
rooms are a good feature"
When asked who would be the proba-
BILE successor of W. K. Gillett as gen
eral auditor, Mr.. Ripley said that he did
not know, and that as Mr.. Gillett's resig-
nation would not take effect until May
the matter would not be taken up for
some time. sour present troubles are
sufficient" said Mr.. Ripley. without
bothering with those of the future"