The Anaconda standard., 1899-06-05
ANACONDA NEWS.
He is A RAILROAD king
President Mellen's Good Work
for the Northern Pacific.
THE BIG ODDS AGAINST HIM
He Gives Personal Attention to All the
Details of Management--Able Subor-
dinates Encouraged-His Tour OF
Inspection Over the Road.
THE BIG ODDS AGAINST HIM

- President Charles S. Mellen of the
Northern Pacific is attracting great at
tenton among the Eastern railroad
men these days In a recent issue of the
Brooklyn Daily Eagle the following ar
ticle was published in regard to Mr..
Mellen's work for the great Western
road:
THE rapid settlement of the Pacific
Northwest during the past two years,
consequent upon the discoveries in
silver, lead, copper and coal, has given
to the railway building in that section
an impetus that promises to carry it
along until that country is gridironed
with rails and every nook and corner
of those states is brought into communi-
cation with the rest of the world.
In the race for control of this vast
territory are three railway systems, the
Union Pacific the Northern Pacific and
the Great Northern. Each of these
roads is striving to get ahead of its two
rivals by extending it's lines into sec
tions where the revenue will be quickest
brought on battle royal, the result of
which is still matter of doubt. The
race is to the strongest and Wall street
is on the qui viVe, watching eagerly the
contest between the three giants. Such
battle demands generalship of the
highest order and it is interesting to
know the character of the men engaged
in it.
THE Northern Pacific is fortunate in
keenest foresight and capabilities fully
competent to grapple with the problems
of finance and strategy that continually
confront him and to carry his road to
victory. President Charles S. Mellen
has been at the head of the Northern
Pacific less than two years, but he has
already brought the road from a state
of financial collapse to a condition of
prosperity second to that of no other
road in the United States.
When he stepped into the presidency
he was confronted with difficulties that
might have disheartened any other
man. The history of the road was a
series of financial disasters and the sys-
tenn was paralleled from st. Paul to the
coast by railway that had enjoyed the
best of good fortune and seemed to be
the road destined to control the traffic
of the Northwest Northern Pacific
stock was quoted in Wall street at very
low figures and there was a good deal of
apprehension among Mr.. Mellen's
friends that he would not be able to re-
deem the Northern Pacific and would
lose the prestige he had gained as
railroad man in other fields.
But Mr. Mellen proved equal to the
emergency. 1t was but short time
after he assumed control of the North
ern Pacific that it's financial condition
began to improve. He inspected every
mile of the road and the country
through which it ran and he realized
that its possibilities were unlimited He
determined to develop it's resources to
the utmost.
"Mismanagement had wrecked the
road good management, he was certain,
could place it on its feet. There were
number of officials and heads Of de-
partments in the company's service who
had held their positions many years and
who thoroughly understood every part
of the system. They were able men,
who had always worked for the best
interests of the road. but whose efforts
to advance it had been thwarted by
higher interests. To these men Presi-
dent Mellen gave free rein, and his con-
fidence in them has been more than JUS
titled. Expenses all along the line were
reduced and the company's service i'm
proved in every particular. Mr.. Mellen
and freight equipment, reduced rates
wherever possible and in a Very short
time the people of the Northwest began
to look upon the Northern Pacific as a
friend.
"The results of Mr.. Mellen's policy be-
came apparent before he had been at
the head of the road for a year The
expenses decreased while the receipts
increased and the last annual report of
the company showed that last year the
Northern Pacific was operated for 40 per
cent, of its gross revenue. This result
was accomplished without resorting to
padding of freight figures or to any
other of the devious tricks which are
sometimes employed in making up rail-
way reports.
1.-The Northern Pacific is now regard
ed as one of the safest roads in the
United States. It's common stock, which
had been worthless for dividend earning
purposes, has now paid a dividend, and
there is every assurance of a continu
ance of the prosperity which has thus
far distinguished the administration of
President Mellen.
Yet the man who has brought about
this happy state of affairs is one of the
most unassuming of men. Mr.. Mellen
Is past middle age, tall and slender He
is inclined to be reserved in manner
and is disinclined to talk, but mis- re-
marks when he does speak are direct
and pointed. He never euuvocat tes.
He possesses calm blue eye, which he
fixes upon his interlocutor, and, speak,
Ing quietly, he says exactly what ne
means and IN Il manner that cannot
be misconstrued.
The Northern Pacific office is in St
Paul. There Mr. Mellcn is to be found
every day when he is in that city from
3 a. m. till 5 p. m. He follows care
fully every detail of the Northern Pa
2ifc management and no move is made
or the railroad chess board without
his approval. No question is too trivial
for his attention, and he is continually
In consultation with his associate Off
cials and heads Of departments.
1T is one of the duties Of a railway
president to make frequent tours of in
Bpection over his road, and whenever
Mr. Melien can snatch few days from
his office he takes a trip over the North
ern Pacific, sometimes to Winnipeg,
sometimes to points in Dakota and Mon
lana and at least twice a year to the