The Portland daily press., 1896-12-01

though they did not deny there might be
consolidation of some minor offices.
Mr.. Tucker has spent practically his
whole life as railroad man. He began
at the age of sixteen years, as clerk
with John Russell, of the old Portland,
Saco and Portsmouth railroad This
position gave him an excellent training,
and during the long illness of Mr.. Rus
sell, Mr.. Tucker was at times virtually
superintendent of the road. Later he be-
came a conductor on the Eastern. Mr..
Tucker went to the Maine Central from
the Eastern railroad in 1876 first being
chosen superintendent, and in 1882 was
promoted to vice president and general
manager of the road. which position he
held at the time of his removal. In 1899
and 1888 he also held the position of gener-
al manager Of the Eastern railroad. When
Mr.. Tucker came into the employ of the
Maine Central that road operated 557
miles of track. Since then the total
mileage has been increased to over twice
that figure, and the Portland and
Machias and Mt. Desert Steamboat line
has been added to the Maine Central
system. About the time that Mr.. Tucker
was elected superintendent the road came
under management that was destined
to save it from the general ruin that had
appeared to threaten it. Governor Coburn
had become it's president and his wealth
and financial standing at once gave a
new value to the bonds and stocks of the
Maine Central A few years la5cr he
was succeeded by Hon. George e. B..
jackson Of this city. who in turn gave
way to Hon. Arthur Sewall of Bath. The
operation of the road has been left al
most If not quite entirely to Mr.. Tucker,
under whose care the travelling public
have acquired confidence in the safety
of the crowded number of trains that few
men could inspire. His pc rsonal super
vision Of all matters relating to the
operation of the road, his courtesy TO all
doing business with the company, and to
those who have desired aid from the COM
pany in providing industries along the
line of the road have contributed not a
little toward the development OF the
business of the Maine Central, and have
caused the road to be looked upon as a
peculiarly Maine institution, to which
should be granted any favor needed of
the state, because of the great benefit the
road has been in developing general busi-
ness, and increasing the great volume OF
summer travel that annually brings SO
much money into the state.
The Flying Yankee from Boston to ST.
John and the fast express and limited
Pullman trains between Boston and Bar
Harbor have Eeen Mr.. fuckers pride as
he has seen in this enhanced accommodate
tion for the travelling public rapid de-
| velopment of the summer business of the
state. He has believed that a railroad
should seek to encourage such matters
rather than it should delay action till a
bitterly complaining public practically
compels the addition of such train ac-
com mmodations. By this method of doing
business Mr.. Tucker may not have sc
rapidly promoted the payment of large
dividends upon the stock of the company,
but while securing ths payment of q
good three per cent semi-annual dividend
he has also laid the foundation for q
business that ensures an increased value
to the stock of the road as the years
a1vanoe. In 1875 Maine Central stock
was worth anywhere from thirty to sixty
| just as 1t was wanted for any special
purpose; now it is far above Ear, and
cannot be obtained in the open market.
Good financial management, combined
with popular operation of the road has
wrought this change.
| Difference of opinion existing between
the directors of the Maine Central rail
road and Mr.. Payson Tucker, who has
for several years occupied the position OF
general manager, the Board today elected
Mr.. George r. Evans, general manager;
but Mr.. Tucker remains director of the
road and vice president.
| "The influence and labor of Mr.. Tucker
In bringing the road to it's present state
Of efficiency is tuNy appreciated by the
owners Of the property and by the
general public, and all will be glad tt
knew that the company is still to have
the benefit of Mr.. Tuoker's advice, whilst
he will devote himself more exclusively
to the management of bis own private
| interests, which are extensive and i'm
portant. The strain attendants upon thu
management of property so large al
the Maine Central Is so great that at tn,
end of twenty-one years service Mr.
Tucker has richly deserved relaxation
and change.
Mr.. Wilson on being asked if furthe,
changes were contemplated among tn,
off cials of the road. said no, he knew O
none. lie could not tell how the vot'
stood on the removal of MF. Tucker. II,
kindly gave the following sketch of Mr.
Evans. the new general manager:
sMr. George f. Evans is gentleman
a broad minded, public spirited man
| deanlv devoted to his nrofassion he can