The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-01-28
RAILROAD NEWS.
Reorganization OF Mechanical
Department of Santa Fe is On.
George E. Ward is Appointed
Material Inspector.
IT is A NEW POSITION.
COIIinsOn the Last Master
Mechanic to Resign.
Said That These Positions May
Be Abolished.

Effective at once, George e Ward
has been appointed Santa F'e material
inspector. his jurisdiction embracing
the entire Santa Fe system, and ms
duties covering the inspection of all the
material which is to be put in the
equipment of the road 1t is probable
that his work will be confined almost
entirely to the car department, others
being given the work of inspecting IN
the case of locomotive building.
Mr. Ward will have headquarters at
Topeka although his work and duties
will call him all over the road The po-
sition which he is to fill is a new one
with the Santa. Fe, but is thought TO De
the precursor of the establishment OF a
general inspection bureau in the me-
chanicaI department of the road
The resignation of James Colllnson
from the position of master mechanic
of the Santa Fe, announced exclusively
in Mondays State Journal, IS another
important step in the reorganization OF
the mechanical department of the ROAD
which was reported in the Journal some
days ago.
All three of the master mechanics of
the Santa Fe system have resigned IL
w. Smith. of the coast lines, was the
first one to go. Then Thomas Paxton,
of the Gulf, passed in his notice OF
withdra wal James Collinson, of the
Santa Fe main lines, was the last or
the trio to quit. Thus the way Is
the management of the work of the
mechanical department
1t is not yet known what plans have
been made for handling the work which
has heretofore been done by Mr.. Col
linson and the other master mechanics.
These positions may be abolished
The resignation of Mr. CollinsOn was
a great surprise to most of the men
at the Santa Fe shops, though it was
predicted about ten days ago m the
State Journal that Mr.. Collinson was
likely to be displaced
COLLINSON'S GOOD RECORD.
James Collinson, who Friday will ternlin-
ate his connection with the Santa Fe, has
been in the service of the company con-
became general shop foreman here under
OF machinery He came here from the Mil
waukee road and says he has not missed
a months pay in the last thirty-one years.
In 1890 he went TO Ration. n. NJ. to take
the position of master mechanic of the
New Mexico division remaining there ten
months, when he was transferred to the
Chicago division with headquarters at FIT.
Madison Ia There he remained six years
in charge of the mechanical department
while the Chicago extension was still new.
At the end of that time he was stationed
at Galveston Tex having the title of su-
master mechanic of ali santa Fe Gulf
lines. successfully During the four years
and two months in which he served in this
capacity his headquarters were changed
from Galveston to Cleburne, the transfer
requiring a special act of the Texas legiS-
lature. On the LIST of FEBRUARY 1901 he
was appointed general master mechanic of
all the Santa. F'e lines proper and came TO
Topeka, where he has remained to the
present
Mr.. Collinson thinks he is entitled to a
rest and in connection with this mentions
the possibilities OF European trip. He
will retain his residence in Topeka for the
present
WARD AN EXPERIENCED MAN
George Z. Ward, the new inspector of
material. is graduate of the California
state college. He began as messenger boy
in the great steel plant of the Carnegie
company at Pittsburg. Pa. and rose stead
Hy through different departments until he