Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-13
CHANGE OF OFFICERS
Col. Truesdell to Be Succeeded by
Mr.. F. G. Stevens.
PLANS OF WASHINGTON TRACTION CO.
w. X. Schoepf to Be Vice Presi'
dent and General Manager.
BIG RAILROAD STEM

Preliminary to the consolidation Of the
eleven street railroad companies and the
two electric lighting companies controlled
by the Washington Traction and Electric
Company, which was authorized at the last
session of Congress, it is understood to be
the purpose to practically reorganize the
management of the company. 1t is stated
that at the next meeting of the directors,
which, it is expected. will be held in this
city Friday, the resignation of Mr.. George
Truesdell president of the company will
be accepted Mr.. Frederick C.. Stevens is
said to be slated for the vacancy. At the
same time 1t is stated that a plan of or
ganization will be carried out which will
give to MIR. Stevens corps of assistants
who will be vice presidents of the COM
pany and at he same time the active heads
of well-detined departments among which
the business of the corporation is naturally
divided
According to the understanding in outside
circles, the first vice president is to be MIR.
w. kesley Schoepf. who will also perform
the duties of general manager of the COM
pany. He will have charge of the operating
department and all the many details con-
nected with that important branch. The
second vice president, as yet undecided
upon, will have special charge of
all matters coming before Congress- the
District Commissioners and in other quar-
terS affecting the interests of the company.
The name of the third vice president is nor
known, but it is said he is practical cleo
trcian, who is to have charge of the power
plants of the company as well as OF the
electrical companies.
Further Details.
These places are to be salaried, and, as
stated, will have duties attached which
will require constant care and supervision.
The organization in further details will be
completed as rapidly as practicable. The
president of the company is to be given
complete control and large powers will be
conferred by the president on his principal
assistants 1t Is believed that plans can be
perfected which will operate with the
greatest economy and the best results a
system of street railroads which comprises
1:i3 miles and extends throughout the city
and the District and adjoining sections of
Maryland.
The equipment of the road with the I'M
foreground system within the city and the
double overhead trolley in the suburban
districts is practically completed and 1t is
said that from mechanical standpoint no
finer system of street railways exists in the
world
1t has required large expenditure of
money to equip the roads in this fashion,
some Of which We're very much run down,
but the money has been freely used and no
expense has been spared to get the very
best 1t is stated that the same enterprise
ard push which has characterized the pro-
jectors of this undertaking from The outset
will continue to mark the management. and
i: is the intention to evolve as perfect a
system as is known to exist anywhere.
Harmony and Good Feeling.
In the change that will be made in the
principal office of the company, the presi-
dency, it is unnecessary to say that the
greatest harmony and coed feeling prevails.
Col. TrueSdell, when he accepted the posi-
ton last summer, did SO mainly because
1t was urged upon him that it was public
duty and that he ought to lend a hand in
bringing to perfection an enterprise which
was of so much benefit to the District.
Under this pressure Col. Truesdel acqui-
esced, with the understanding, however.
that he would be allowed to retire at any
time that it should seem to be advisable,
and throughout his incumbency 1t has been
thoroughly understood that he was ready
to step aside when other arrangements
could be made.
Now that the company has authority TO
bring together the different corporations
and weld them into one. and the financial
future of the organizations Is assured. it
seemed to be a good opportunity to place
the management on permanent basis.
Col. Truesdel brought to the position the
experience and judgment of a long BUSH
ness career in this city. and he returns to
his private affairs with the good wishes OF
those who have been associated with him
in the railroad company.
The New officials.
His successor. Mr.. Stevens, has been so
closely identified with this enterprise in its
beginnings that 1t is not surprising he has
consented to connect himself with Its ac-
tive management. He was the representa-
tive largely of the interests that furnished
the money to buy the various properties.
and his rapid yet effective moves created
decided sensation in local financial cir
cleS.
In the course of a few months he spent
millions of dollars. which went to the stock
holders of the various companies in ex-
change for their stock. The series Of pur-
chases which resulted in bringing under
one ownership all these properties consti-
tutes a unique period in local financial his
tory.
The first vice president Mr.. Schoepf, is
native of this District, and is street rail-
road man of much experience. He was in
charge of the lexington and Belt railroad.
and built the City and Suburban railroad.
Recently he went to Pittsburg, where he is
in charge of the consolidated lines in that
place. He has only been away from here
TO