The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-09-27
RAILROAD NEWS.
Rumors of Important Changes
Among Santa Fe Officials.
John Player Said to Be Slated
for Return.
BIRD VICE PRESIDENT.
Supt. Henderson Among Those
Who Are Involved.
Mr.. Nudge Says There's No
Truth in 1t.

Hints have leaked out from sources
which should give them more or less
weight, that the Santa Fe is to undergo
another change in the administration of
its operating department. 1t is reported
that by the first of next January J. w.
Kendrick, third vice president, will re-
tire and that the heads of departments
under his jurisdiction will suffer cores
ponding changes.
In connection with this rumor there
are suggestions that John Player, so
long superintendent of machinery, will
return to the service of the road as
third vice president. Mr.. Player re-
tired from his position consulting
superintendent of motive power Tune
and went to a large manufacturing
plant in Franklin. Pa. in an advisory
capacity. 1t seems hardly probable that
considering the condition of his health
for good many months previous to
his resignation that he would again be-
come actively engaged in railroad work
It would be impossible to find man
who has better standing among the
great body of Santa Fe employees, par
ticularly among those with whom he
has come in touch than John Playes.
1t is not believed that Mr.. Player would
be receptive to an offer to return, but
it would be satisfactory to the men.
1t is further claimed that the shake
up will extend to the mechanical de-
partment and that Alfred Lowell, now
assistant superintendent of motive pow
of motive power, and that Mechanical
superintendent Risteen of the eastern
grand division will get the position
which Mr.. Lowell now holds. There was
a rumor IN circulation a week ago to
the effect that Superintendent of Motive
Power Henderson was to quit but Mr..
Henderson denied any knowledge of it.
Mr. Henderson is regarded as an excel
lent railroad man, well qualified to car
ry forward the work OF installing the
Santa Fe in its new plant here. In the
department under his jurisdiction there
has come. Stree he assumed his present
duties influx of new IDEAS WAYS of
handling the work of the mechanical
which are different from those in vogue
before he came to the Santa Fe. The
purchase of new locomotives is said TO
| have been so extensive as to amount to
nearly TWO millions of dollars. The en-
gines are of a large and heavy type
calculated to handle the constantly ex-
parding business OF the system.
| 1t is understood that for some time
there have been differences among the
directors OF the system and that this
has been the chief factor in the disturb
| ing changes which have been made ii,
| the administration of the company af-
fairs, especially in the operating depart
ment within the last few years. BY
some the talk that Third Vice President
Kendrick is to retire is regarded as idle
since he only recently turned down an
offer from the Westinghouse Air Brake
company to go to Europe as their rep
resentative It is claimed that there
| is an English and an American faction
! in the board of directors, each antag-
onizing the other in the matter of poll
cies which should be extended in the
manipulation of affairs.
1t is also believed by some that the
rumors OF Pennsylvania railroad influ-
ence on Santa F'e affairs is we'll found
ed, and that the next annual meeting
! of the stockholders of the company will
show that the Pennsylvania has obtain
ed enough control OF Santa Fe stock to
dictate the election Of one or more
members of the board of directors.
General Manager H. u. Nudge was
asked as to the truth Of the above ru-
rnors, and said:
II believe there is no truth in them
believe they are made out OF whole
| cloth / think there is no likelihood OF
Mr. Kendrick leaving his present posi-
ton except TO better himself. He is or
the best of terms with President Rip
ley"