The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-01-01
GENERAL MANAGER
AND VICE PRESIDENT
INSISTED ON THE LATTER TITLE,
AND THE RECEIVERS
ALLOWED 1T
CHANGE TAKES PLACE
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

1t Is Said That Mr.. Fitch VIII Sue
coed Mr.. Underwood as General
Manager of the 500, Combining
With 1t the Position He at Pres
ent Holds--President Hill Says
He's Pleased If It's True.
The negotiations between the receiv-
ers of the Baltimore & Ohio, acting in
behalf of the new reorga nization syndi-
cate, and Frederick D. Underwood,
whereby the latter is to become gen
eral manager of that system, were end
ed yesterday when Mr.. Underwood for
mally accepted the appointment Mr..
Underwood has resigned from the gen
eral managership of the 500 and of all
terminal companies in the Twin Cities
with which he was officially identified,
ard will henceforth devote his energies
to the direction of the Baltimore &
Ohio
Ever since the organization of the
new Baltimore & Ohio syndicate Mr..
Underwood has been mentioned as the
probable manager of that line. He
stands very high in the estimation of
President James J. Hill, who is largely
interested in the Baltimore & Ohio,
and it is understood that Mr.. Hill first
offered the position of general manager
to him. Mr.. Underwood has had SUI
preme control of the 500. and he did
not like to relinquish such a position
for one subordinate to others, and he
said he did not care to make q change
unless assured that he would have the
management of traffic and operation
of the Baltimore & Ohio.
He thought he should hold position
as vice president of the company also,
which would give him better stand
ing in the eyes of railway officials The
receivers, however, and several mem
bers of the syndicate objected to giving
MIR. Underwood so much power and au-
thority, and Mr.. Underwood declared
that he would not consider the matter
further. 1t is understood that 1ir. Hill,
| who was anxious 10 have Mr.. Under
| Wood accept the position, persuaded his
associates to give Mr. Underwood all
the power he asked, and that, acting
upon Mr.. Hills advice, they yielded to
Mr. Underwood.s terms. except that he
does not become vice president Of the
road, at this time at least. M. I'm
derwood was notified yesterday that
his terms were satisfactory, and he
promptly notified the receivers that he
would accept the general managership
of the Baltimore & Ohio system.
A reporter for The G / 0 be last even
ing asked Mr.. Hill about the appoint
nrent of Mr.. Underwood.
Il was not aware Mr. Underwood had
| accepted said Mr.. Hill. His nego-
tiations were with the receivers, who
are now operating the Baltimore q
Ohio. I am very glad if the report is
true, for Mr.. Underwood is certainly
an excellent man for that position
This was recognized by the receivers
when they came so far to get him
Mr.. Underwood's salary, it is INDEX
stood, will be $4,000 per annum, and he
will make his headquarters in Balti-
more.
The retirement of Mr. Underwood
from the 500 leaves a vacancy, which
it is believed will be filed by the APP
pointment of W. F. Fitch, general man
ager of the Duluth, South Shore & At
lantic, which is connected with the 500
as an auxiliary of the Canadian Pa :
cific. 1t is understood that the mans
agement of the 500 and the Duluth,
South Shore & Atlantic will be CONSOLE
dated, Mr. Fitch having charge of the
traffic and operation of both lines
Mr.. Underwood has risen from the
lowest rounds of the railway ladder.
He was born in 1880, in Milwaukee and
at the age of eighteen he became a
clerk for the Milwaukee railroad He
wanted more active experience, and he
took a position on the road as a brake
man, and worked his way up to bag
gageman foreman of elevators, con-
ductor first of a freight and later of q
passenger train. He was faithful and
intelligent and was promoted to divis-
ion superintendent. From that position
he rose to superintendent. In 1886 Mr.
Underwood was appointed general SUI
perintendent of the Minneapolis g. Pa
cifc railway. and in 1883, when that
road was consolidated with the present
line known as the 500, he became gen
eral manager, and has since held that
position
Mr. Underwood has shown himself to
be remarkably able railroad man.
and his success is due entirely TO his
merit. AS general manager of the 500
he enjoyed unlimited authority, and
his hand guided that road in every
move it made.
William Z. Fitch, who is to succeed
Nj. Underwood, is fifty-nine years of
age. He was for many years connected
with the Northwestern railway system.
filling many important posts He was
general manager of the Fremont, Elk
horn & Missouri Valley road and of
the Sioux City & Pacific. In Novem-
Der, 1885, he entered upon his present
position as general manager of the Du-
luth, South Shore & Atlantic He is
also president and receiver of the Du-
luth & Winnipeg railroad, president of
the Mineral Range road, general man.
ager of the Hancock & Calumet road.
and president of the Lake Superior Ter
minal & Transfer company. His head
quarters are now at Marquette, Mich.
but he will move to Minneapolis as
soon as his appointment becomes eff
fective.
st. Paul Acquisitions.
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