The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-06-06

try. and so made him one Of the best in
formed, most experienced and ablest or
American railroad managers. These quail
fioations were universally acknowledged by
all his contemporaries of the railroad world.
On Feb. 3. 1897. Mr.. Thomson was elected
president of the Pennsylvania system 10
succeed George B. Roberts. who died
short time before that date. Mr.. Thomson's
duties as the manager of great railway
required so much of his time that he was
never identified with many other public in
stitutions. A notable exception. however.
was the Equitable Life Assurance Company,
of which he was director.
The plan inaugurated on the Pennsylvania
by Thomas A Scott was maintained by
Frank Thomson. He began with the mill
tary rules of discipline which came from
his army experience. The Pennsylvania Is
as strictly commanded as an army. An ex-
cuse is never accepted for duty undone. The
primal law Of the service is obedience, and
none so quick TO realize and commend good
service as the masters Of the Pennsylvania.
There is a civil service. The uniform OF the
Pennsylvania is for life or good behavior.
Promotion follows fidelity. There is no
climbing over back fences or being carried
in politicians coat tails into the Pennsyl-
vania There is but one way TO walk the
read which led Frank Thomson from the
Altoona workshops. on the Allegheny foot
hills. into the presidents office. But one
way, and that is as free TO the humblest
servant of the road il was to Frank
Thomson. The servants of the Pennsylvania
are also held TO allegiance by emulation.
do we'll by the Pennsylvania and the Penn
sylvania will do wen with YOU" This was
cardinal axiom in Mr.. Thomson's policy.
The same principle in another form applies
to the relations of the road with the people.
HIS PERSONALITY.
The personality of Mr.. Thomson contrib
uted to his success. Mr.. Roberts his prede-
cessor. was a recluse, living down in the
Bala woods. a short distance from Phila-
delphia, dividing his time between his home.
his church and his Office. He occasionally
permitted himself TO walk under his trees
and see the grass. but never craved the
tumult and allurements OF the town. AL
though one of our railway magnates, the
master Of an empire, he was the least
known of her citizens on Philadelphia's
highways One might see him on rare occa-
sions. his thin frame, his deep eyes and
worn. absorbed face. floating along in
shy manner. as one in meditation. And yet
when he came to speak with his fellow-men
-even from a platform-it was authority,
condensation and force, as one we'll know
ing the world and what was expected Of
him.
Frank Thomson, on the other hand. had
clear. wholesome face. knew the exquisite
mystery of the salmon stream. held COM
munion with nature in its varied forms. He
l~<.<@l @lrco or1d
the writers Of books, cherished pictures and
welcomed the charm and solace Of music and
the peace of mind that comes with good
play. Like most men famous for their pro-
digious achievements in the way Of work,
Mr.. Thomson never seemed to be busy,was
never in hurry. You met cordial. highly
bred man of the world, apparently his main
employment looking out of the window at
the seething mass of traffic that goes ON and
forever on. And your errand, whether 1t
was subscription to a charity ball. or the
purchase of a new railroad, or the repeti-
tion of the latest story of Mr.. Depew. re-
ceived the same courteous interest in what
ever you were prompted to say, and the
same quick. decisive answer. For the In
teilect of this listening gentleman had
lightning-like alertness; the capacity OF
and deciding 1t there and then
Mr.. Thomson was abreast of society and
affairs You felt his touch in whatever was
praiseworthy or to be encouraged among
his people. He was an enthusiastic patron
of the arts and sciences. Of whatever per-
tanned to higher education. If he had am
bitions his friends never discovered them.
His politics were neither ostentations nor
aggressive. AS a wise railway magnate he
never obtruded them. They were shown,
however during the war, and especially In
the battle for sound money and national In
tegrity under the Mckinley banner. He
went into the battle at the outset and
fought 1t to the end with uncompromising
energy To the zeal of Mr.. Thomson more
than to any one influence in that canvass Is
due the phenomenal majority Of Mckinley
in Pennsylvania 1t was not for mere polit-
ical reasons that Mr.. Thomson took this
aggressive and unusual stand. He felt, with
Mr. Cleveland, Henry Watterson, Mr.. Nc
CIure and thousands Of others, that the
issue was not political, but national-that
il was integrity against dishonor, solvency
and not bankruptcy.
Mr.. Thomson was member of the Phil
adelphia Club. the Union Club, OF New
York, and other prominent clubs In both
cities. Mr. Thomson was a widower. his
wife. the daughter of the late Benjamin
c. Clarke, of New York. having died in
June 1887. Miss Anne Thomson. the only
daughter. a prominent figure in Philadel-
phia society. and Frank @. and Clarke
Thomson, both students at Harvard, COM
pose the family.
OTHER DEATHS.