The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-07-12
IT, Men Who Dtd n.

A slight renee TO the man who has
brought this road from weakness into
strength, as we'll as L the man who will
be president OF the system under the new
regime. should not be untimely.
Mr.. John Shelton Williams Il 81 years
old, and looks younger. He is easily s
feet l0lh inches in height, and weighs all
of 200 pounds. His clear robust complex
ion does not discover a habit which he
has had for years OF working far into the
night. He has been a most laborious
student Of finance, and has been too busy
a man to be well-known except among
financiers in the great centers. who know
in him q master OF his science. Mr.. WILL
Jams is keenly observant, without appear
Ing so. reticent, without offense, seeming
ly absorbed with the problem in mind
un.ess his attention be called to matter
of import. His appearance upon the scene
by those who know him is not considered
meteorio by any means. His strength is
considered 10 be the result of gradual
growth. The foundation he has laid for
himself has been broad. and he has
bullded carefully, always with the counsel
OF his father, Mr.. John l.. Williams, with
whom he has been connected In the bank
ing business ever since he was a lad. Mr.
Williams IS a man OF powerful physique.
OF endurance tina. does not seem to know
WEAKNESS. lie seems to be most con-
tented when at work. What has most
astounded those who have met or heard
or this famous young financier In the ease
and matter OF fact way with which he
has approached. and with which he has
compassed. the great enterprise which he
pSm W,SIans mas SO successfully sue IN hand. Mr..
stimuiant In any form, and is q strict
In word, his winnina
points are his knowledge. gained through
which seems TO be native, and his spot.
less integrity.
Like the young president. tho vice,
president, Mr.. 81: John. is a man o
men who have the fibre to cut their way
up through the railroad business, from,
the ranks through 40 years to the head
OF great system must necessarily start
though Mr.. ST. John IL In the fifties. his
face Is wholesomcly iorid with q pres
snce that hlls room with suggestion
u ability and experience. His manner
9ulet and Acknowledgements SO.
md during his pauses his eye Is steady
ma searching while ne listens. should
ay that his chief gift was that OF or
,anization and his chief tendency was
nat or breadth and fair r-m,ndedness. For
as has been stated above, he
anne 10 the South from the Rock Island
oao, comparatively a stranger. and not
MY oy his superiority as an executive,
ut by his personal kindliness and habit
4 liberal view. he has won only friends
am told that one OF the first things he
Id was TO give the employees OF his
ystem half holidays on Confederate Me.
norial day. This is but one amonl
many acts. which gave people along the
erritory OF the Sesboard AIR Line a hint
> 10 the high quality OF the man.
But ell this does not mean that Mr.. st.
ohm Is not fighter. Pugnacity is well
developed In his face and head OF power
ul and intellectual outline. With this
aggressive quality, too. goes resource
hat surprises because II comes from an
Unlocked for quarter. Those with whom
10 has clashed during the last four years
eed not 10 be told of this. Like President
Mr.. st. John Is a man OF strict
v temperate habits. givii q close attsn-
Ion 10 his chJrch duties and 10 charities.
Like Mr.. Williams. Mr.. 81. John is Q
nan OF native literary skill and finish.
he presentations Of subjects at different
ines by either OF them being models Of
lesrness and strength.
Uncer the n'anagement OF two such men
he greater Scsbcard Air Line system en-
srs upon q career which should have q
meaning to the people OF the South un-
resmed OF by them now and prosperity
with the resources OF q
ountrr rich with the promise Of q de-
elopment hardly yet begun.
This new system hzs established . bu-
sau OF Information In the heart OF New
'ngland, with w. w. Tuli New England
gent, and Charles l.. Jcngsdorf. New
ngland Passenger Agent, SVs Washjng-
IN Afrsst- Bostoo.