The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-04-30

Santa Fe mechanical department
Since then he has been far from a well
man, and it was largely on this account
that he was obliged to give up the place
which he had held so long His serv-
ices were 50 much appreciated thar
when he apprised President Ripley last
November of his intention to quit, Mr..
Ripley reached for a pen and pad and
with his own hand wrote the circular
announcing the retention of Mr. Player
in an advisory capacity, and the ap-
pointment of George R. Henderson to
succeed him as superintendent of ma
chinery. The title was a little later
changed to superintendent of motive
power
When asked concerning his future
plans Mr.. Player said Il quit here
simply because I have a better posi-
ton in sight. The details of that
don't care to discuss, but it is sufficient
to say that I have interests in Franklin
which VIII engage my time. My health
is slowly improving, but one reason I
make the change is because the climate
! there agrees with me better than any
where else.
You may say for me that I sincerely
regret to leave the numerous friends
which I have IN Topeka. My relations
with the Santa Fe always have been
the most pleasant, and am very sorry
! to quit"
The resignation of Mr.. Player as su-
perintendent of machinery was prob
/ ably fastened by the choice of J. w
( kendrick as third vice president and
head of the operating department of the
] road a year ago. During the Barr
! Sanderson regime. which terminated
4 when Mr.. kendrlck came to the Santa
Fe. it was an open secret that there
/ was more or less friction in the me-
; chanical department, but in every in
/ stance the men in the shops on the
road as well as his superiors stood by
4 Mr.. Player in all of his work Upon his
return from California a year ago he
was given an ovation by the two thou
/ sand men who work in Topeka shops.
John Player was born in Kent coun-
! ". England, in 1877 Early in life he
/ began work as mechanic for the Brit
/ 1sh government serving an apprentice
ship there. He came to the United
/ States at the age of %. and soon after
! landing at New York struck out for the
/ then new west. Possessing but scant
means. he was Obliged to ssdead-head' a
part of the way in a locomotive cab
reciprocating the kindness of the engine
/ crew, which permitted him to ride bv
/ nrlng- Upon reaching an Iowa railroad
town he Immediately went to work at
! the trade Of machinist, continuing in
/ that capacity for two years when he
was made general shop foreman for the
/ Iowa Central at Marshalltown He filed
/ this place for two years and was then
1 promoted to the master workmanship
! Of the same road at that place At the
i end of ten years he was engaged by
! the Wisconsin Central to lay out the
/ plant OF that company at Waukpsta
Wis. and was at once promoted to the
position Of superintendent of machinery
which he held 3 years previous to his
| succession to the mead of the machinery
| department Of the Santa Fe In 1890
Mr. Players ability as a mechanical
man is best understood when it is known
| that there is not a shop on the system
that does not bear the impress of his
ideas. He was the first to put into prac-
| t1ce the use of pneumatic tools in To-
/ peka and today their use is known in
every part of the world. The improve
| ments which be made on locomotives is
one Of the most important features of
his work and one that has carried his
name wherever there are railroads.
Even now a western road is building
two samples Of a type Of engine design
ed by Mr.. Player few months ago. He
enjoys the exceptional distinction of
never having been discharged but in
stead every change which he made was
a promotion and with better pay and
unsolicited on his part. Since coming
to America he never has been without
I employment with the exception of one
week when he first arrived.