The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1897-03-25

llstant 70 J. Edgar Thomson. at that
time president Of the company. Mr.
Roberts skill a. an engineer and his
superior administrative abilities
marked him for promotion 10 the
fourth vice-presidency In 1869. This
election was followed almost immedi-
ately BY another which made him the
second vice-presidont Of the system.
Upon the accession OF Col. Thomas A.
Scott 20 the presidency on June .. 1874.
Mr.. Roberts was advanced 10 the once
Of hrst vice-presldent. In his new ca
pacity he had charge Of all engineering
matters relating TO the construction.
extension and improvement Of the CON-
pany's lines and a general supervision
Of the accounts. through the comptrol-
Ter. He also handled almost entirely
the business associated with the roads
leased or controlled by the Pennsylva-
MIA company. Upon the death OF Col
Scott. In May, 1850. Mr. Roberts be-
came president OF the company.
Some idea OF the importance Of the
place held by Mr.. Roberts can be gained
from the fact that the company operat.
Cd then. AZ II does now. nearly 10000
miles Of road. running through nine
states: hauled nearly 10000 cars Of all
kinds, with 5000 locomotives; en-
ploycd an army OF men. nearly 100. 900
altogether. and had a gross income OF
$4,000 900 a month.
AR. Roberts rise from the bottom OF
the ladder 10 the top was the result OF
hard work and great natural ability,
In the days when he was a rodman his
work attracted the attention OF those
over him. and be was picked from a
large field for his first promotion. AZ
ter that his advances came faster In
each new place his work was better.
aud a brilliant career was mapped out
Tor him by those who took an interest
IN him. Il was In the work OF handling
the lines leased and controlled by Pres
ident Scott that Mr.. Roberts dlsiln-
gulshed himself and showed his fitness
90 occupy the place OF president Of the
road.
Mr.. Scott was a brilliant planner and
his policy OF aggression. combined with
strategy. was what enabled the Penn.
sylvania road 20 extend IL system and
connections southwark. westward ant
N the east. When he died the system
had been developed and a conserva
tive management was necessary. Mr.
n.t.a-fa ssrua fha nHs.,.at ......f......
choice Of the dlrectorA
Mr. Roberts was noted for hard work
He was Al his once promptly at
O'Clock every morning and Away
handled his enormous mail himself u
10 or 1880 o'clock he was always read
for visitors. but only those who Ia
business OF importance could ever so
him. The rest OF his day was spen, &
routine business. into which no one bu
officers OF the road was allowed {
break.
Personally. Mr. Roberts was a qulo
conservative man. lie cared little ~
society or amusoments. lie was YES
tryman OF ST. Ste%en's Eplscopa
Church IN Philadelphia and Of the ne'
church az ST. Asaph. one OF hi
strongest characteristics was a grea
regard Tor the Sabbath. lie woul
never talk business on that day. Will
recognizing the necessity Of Hinnln
trains on sundays, their number wa
limited % the necessities OF transports
tion and che public convenience. and a
many Of the employees OF the oompan
weo le; on as was possible. Mr.. Rob
eris had been IN since last August. an
& was announced a short time ago tina
he would decline a recollection at IN
meeting Of the directors Of the Penn
fylvanla.