The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1900-09-15

II had been permitted to suggest
candidate to succeed Coils p. Hunting
ton as president Of the Southern Pacific
] would have named e. II. Markham
the general passenger and freight agen
Of the 5. r. Co. lines in Oregon. tn,
directors, at their New York meeting
we're probably too far away 10 avai
themselves, or, at least, have not calet
on me for advice II Markham could ia
few short years make the whole sys
TEN as popular, and especially in Cali
I iornla, as he has in Oregon, he would
certainly be the right man for the place
After the people learned his method, he
would not have 10 travel through the
Golden State in a el.armored car for
fear Of assassination. When he came 30
Oregon the feeling against the Southern
Pacific on the part Of the people was at
about the same redhot temperature Of
admiration. The legislature was passing
stringent laws against II, giving the com.
mission power 10 do about anything but
tear mp the track. Every accident that
happened, the people demanded an in
vestigdtion and condemnation, indict.
ments by the grand jury. and civil and
criminal prosecutions. Markham came
into this delightful atmosphere with an
equipment Of lifelong work at the rail-
road business. lie WAS graduated from
the ground floor as local oiice.boy aud
operator and had been city agent at
Fresno, California, where he had no
doubt heard the complaints Of the peo.
pie and learned their grievances by
heart, and was prepared 10 deal with the
Oregon situation in the school Of actual
contact with the people and not from
the long'distance training OF a general
office desk'clerk So he went up against
the Oregonians softly at first, listened to
their kicks, told them he was here 10 10 |
business with them, aud enable them 10 |
do business with the road. II there was
anything wrong with the rates il would |
be fixed, as his only ambition was 10 in.
crease the business OF the com pany and |
make new business wherever il was pos.
slbe This kind OF talk was a surprise
from Southern Pacific official. Once
IN while station agent without any
authority had talked in that way, only
10 have his head taken off as soon AS
made the discovery OF his
sentiments. As a result Of
Markham's policy Of popularizing the
service, the attitude OF this state
and it's people toward the southern
Pacific has undergone complete
'hauga. All lighting the company
has ceased. Political platforms and
'dmpaign speakers do not refer 10 il AS
rcd handed, soulless corporation and
With lts hands stained with industrial
'Ore. The railroad commission was
ibolished. No one talks OF reyiving il
y passing any kind Of legislation against I
Y about railroads. Every effort il made {
o make rates that will create business. |
Excursion rates are granted on all
when the people want TO travel .
n large numbers, On holidays and I
urlng the state fair people travel for !
ne fare Ter the round trip. To the !
.lks Carnival the fare was so low about e
ali tae Salem people went to Portland q
larkham attends farmers meetings ard I
rossroads auction sales and makes talks |
u establishing creameries, weaving !
slVes and raising sucking pigs on skim
nix and breaking colts that lay David