The Irish standard., 1901-05-25

try. When he takes up new subject
he does not rest until he has mastered
it. He dispatches people to hunt OBJ
jectS for him III all directions and gives
them most careful directions for their
search.
At another time he entertained the
Crown Prince of Belgium. who came to
this country to study municipal condi-
tions. and was deeply impressed with
Mr. Hills knowledge of Belgium and
all it's problems. 1t is said no one ever
stumped Mr. Hill on any subject He
is an omnivorors reader and has IL
memory that seems to retain every
thing that impresses him.
He is regarded differently by differ
ent men. Some people think he is hard
and ambitious. There are some dis
posed to believe that the credit of start
ing the Great Northern does not belong
to him sbut to other prominent st.
Paul men. This is probably due to his
absorption in business more than to
anything else. He never accepts invi-
tations and is rarely seen. anywhere in
company. He remains in the bosom of
his family when he is not engrossed in
business and finds his greatest pleas
ureS in reading. He knew more about
Europe before he had crossed the
ocean than most people who had been
there
| Mr.. Hill has the reputation in the
business world of beheading his Off
cialS after years of service if tlleir use
fulness seems to he waning. No man
in his employ is ever sure of his place.
for Mr.. Hill may request his resigna-
ton. He does not like people over 35
around him, and his employees are al
most without exception young men.
His railroad is loosely termed the
boys road" and is spoken of as the
kindergarten. The other roads are al
ways glad to accept the young fellows
who have been dropped from the Great
Northern. for they have been thorough
ly trained and know the business.
1t is related that one morning on his
way downtown he was Overtaken by
one of his officials who was driving
and asked Mr.. Hill to share his car
riage. AS they proceeded Mr.. Hill
commented on the evident value of the
turnout and asked it's owner if he had
IL private income besides his salary
that hc could afford such luxury. The
official was greatly embarrassed but
said no. his salary was ample. where
upon Mr.. Hill expressed surprise that
any one i'm the office but himself should
drive so luNurously. The next day he
requested tho employees resignation
on the ground that the business could
not afford two large establishments.
Not long ago the overland mail train
| from the Pacific coast on the Great
Northern road was handled by a rough
and awkward crew upon whose Shoul-
dcrs their uniforms appeared to sit un-
| u
unexpectedly promoted to higher ser
vice, the usual crew having been per
rmptorily dismissed because of some
negligence This mail train is the sub
jcct of anxious care ut all times. as a
heavy fine is imposed il it fail to meet
the running schedule. which allows
| l,t, tN In
connections in st. Paul with the mail
train for Chicago.
1t is related of the chief engineer of
the splendid Northern Pacific tunnel,
which Il few months ago WAS cut
through the Cascade Mountain range
to- do away with the swtchback, that
when he was first in Mr.. Hills Great
Northern service. he asked once for Il
raise of salary. Mr. Hill told him he
was not worth it, The engineer re-
signed the next day to Mr.. Hills great
surprise Mr.. Hill Immediately said
he would give the engineer the SALARY
he asked The engineer replied he was
sorry, but he had alrcndy made Il two
years contract with another road
During the two years that followed
MIR. Hill sent Il telegram or message
every fortnight or so to his former
employee to remind him that when his
contract expired he was to return tC
the Great Northern. He did so ut his
own terms.
Whether or not these stories of Mr.
Hills attitude towards his employees
are true. it is certain that he performs
many kind deeds which are seldom
known beyond the family circle. Ono
old man who had been in his employ
died last winter and Mr. Hill settled
100000 upon the widow.
Mr.. Hill owns Il model farm at Pleas
ant Lake in Minnesota. about eight
miles from st. Paul. He exhibits keel
interest in the development of agricult
urc and stock raising on his farm. ant
has frequently given lectures ut the ag
ricultural experimental farm in Mime
sofa lying midway between st. Pau
and Minneapolis. The farm contains
a buffalo and peer park. The stock ii
particularly fine. Pigs. collie dogs, an,
chickens are carefully raised and ,
model dairy is conducted on scientific