The Washington times., 1903-04-12
Looking After the Presidents Comfort on Trip South

agent Of the Richmond and DanviIle
when that line conveyed its Florida and
Southeast business through Richmond.
For several years he spent months
each year soliciting return business
from Florida, Charleston, Aiken, and
other points. This was in the days OF
the old Central Short Line through Co
lumbis, Aiken, and Augusta. well known
to tourists in those days.
He returned 10 Washington and &C
cepted position with the Kennesaw
Route, between Washington and New
Orleans. This was the Old Southern
Route, and the Norfolk and Western
was one Of the links in this famous old
line.
A Luray Cavern Expert.
Mr.. Lockwood is well known to Wis
tiers at Luray Caverns and Natural
Bridge, as he had charge of the Luray
excursions after the discovery Of the
caverns. He has served as passenger
agent Of the Norfolk and Western Rail-
way fag the past twenty years. Mr.
Lockwood represented his company in
securing business during the Spanish
war. when the movement of troops re-
Quired quick action. In point of continu-
Gus service he is the second oldest pas
sengeF agent in Washington, and full
Of interesting "reminiscences of the days
before airbrake5. dining cars. or vestf-
buled trains were introduced on South
ern railroads. He married a Washing
ton girl and has two children, q son and
daughter.
William S. Bronson.
Among the many young men who have
risen to prominence by extraordinary
ability none have done more to earn
promotion than Mr.. William S.
Bronson. the assistant general passenger
agent Of the Chesapeake and Ohio Rail-
way. He is a native Of Ohio. having be-
gun his railroad career in Sandusky, his
native town, as a messenger boy with the
old Columbus, Sandusky and Cleveland
Railroad now a part of the Big Four
SYSTEM. He subsequently served as
clerk and chief clerk. respectively, 10 the
general superintendent Of the 7, 3. & W,
a small road running out of Indianapolis.
Coming TO the Chesapeake and Ohio in
1888 as q rate clerk, his rise has been
rapid and continuous His experience in
the /. B. & ". transportation depart
ment has given him a decided advantage
over most passenger officials, who as q
rule have had no practical experience in
actual railroading.
Mr.. Bronson is chairman Of the Wash
iEgton passenger comHdttee, an organi-
cation composed Of the big passenger
lines entering Washington. This com
mittee was organized at the beginning
of the Spanish-American war in the pan
icky days Of 1898, before Santiago had
proven our superiority over the dons.
and when everything was in furry and
orr Government. as many supposed, in
absolute unpreparedness for the war.
Mr. Bronson foresaw that the interests
Of the Government, as well as the rail
roads, would be subserved by having
some central authority with certain dele
gated powers TO act for all lines.
This suggestion was carried out and
Mr.. Bronson elected chairman. The
committee. representing about $4,000
miles of road and traversing eighteen
states practically the entire territory
cast of the Mississippi River. was of
decided advantage TO the Government IN
o,,,editiougly handling thousands of
non ordinance and other supplies to tha
coat of danger. The old adage that cor
norotions have no souls would certainly
not amply to the washington passenger
,-,lttee The members OF the COM
tito and the immense transportation
,aoiIttfes REPRESENTED by them was at
the disposal of the Government at all
times.
Personally. Mr. Bronson is simple in
his tastes and of quiet demeanoT He
20 without pretense of any sort. He is a
,a,,ar-tiring machine in business and a !
,,o,- when away from It. He is deserved /
" nonular with all classes Of en-
nIoves who consider him their friend.
while not a strict disciplinarian, he
expects every man to do his full duty
and the shiftless and negligent receive
small consideration at his hands.
Mr.. Bronson, in addition to the local
tarrirorv adjacent to Washington, has
general supervision over the entire road
east of Huntington.
In 1892. Mr. Bronson was married to
Miss Nellie Duncan Buscher, of Peters
burg, Va. They have charming home