The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-07-13

souri, Pacific. In 1872 he was made
trainmaster on the Missouri, Kansas &
Texas. and two years later became su-
perintendent Of telegraph and then divi-
sion superintendent of that road. In
1898 he was vice president and general
manager of the East Line & Red River
railroad. In the same year he wah
made general manager of the Santa Fe.
which position he resigned in Novem>
Der, 1899.
Mr.. F'rey's resignation as general
manager of the Santa Fe was announc-
ed November 10, 1899, and took effect
January /, 1900. He then moved his
family to Albuquerque on account of
his wifes health and soon afterward
became president Of the Denver & Grip
pie Creek railroad. He held this posi-
ton only a year when he began the pro-
motion of a railroad line through Alaska
to the Behring Straits and he has con-
tinued to work on this project.
Mr.. Frey came to Topeka as general
manager Of the Santa fie in April, 1888
AT the time of his appointment he was
vice president and general manager of
the East Line & Red River road, a
branch of the M, K. & T., which is now
known as the Sherman, Shreveport &
Southern, having retired as general
Superintendent of the NJ, K. & T. but q
short time before. He succeeded Mr.. A.
A. Robinson, now president OF the Mex
ican Central road.
There is an interesting story told in
connection with Mr.. Frey's appointment
as general manager of the Santa Fe.
1t is 10 the effect that his connection
with the Santa Fe was due wholly to
the well known loyalty of George R.
Peck to his friends.
AS the story goes, Santa F'e affairs
had shaped themselves after the resig-
nation of Mr.. Robinson so that the late
K. H. Wade, then general manager CT
the Southern California line, was slated
for the position of genera. manager
OF the Santa Fe proper. At the same
time, friends OF Mr.. Frey, who were
in position to know of Santa Fe
moves, We're working for his appoint
ment as successor of Mr.. Wade in an
ticipation of the latter's transfer to To-
peka.
Some time previous to this event in
Santa F'e circles. Mr. w. H. Rossingtori
of this city and a party of friends went
TO California on pleasure trip. The
Topeka attorney carried with him a
letter OF Introduction to the general
manager Of the Southern California
road from Mr.. Peck, containing the
request that the bearer and party be
shown every courtesy possible during
their stay on the line of the California
road. When the party reached the
headquarters Of the Southern California
road Mr.. Wade was absent, and the
letter was presented to his chief clerk
with a request for certain transporta-
ticn. The chief clerk did not feel at
liberty to honor it, and Mr. Rossington
ard friends We're compelled to pay for
the desired transported ton When the
party returned Mr.. Peck was told of
the occurrence, and the general solicitor
of the Santa Fe announced that he
held Mr.. Wade responsible for the faulr
of his chief clerk in snubbing his
friarsa.
Mr. Peck did not forget the matter.
and il is privately stated that because
of this indirect affront to Mr.. Peck
friends Mr. Wade failed to become. gen
eral manager of the Santa Fe. The
Santa F'e general solicitor was slightly
acquainted with Mr.. Frey, and when
the time came for naming a successor
to Mr.. Robinson, he swung the balance
In his favor against Mr.. Wade. In this
way Mr.. Wade remained in California
- general manager of the Southern
California. and Mr.. Frey came to To-
peka as general manager of the Santa
Fe
The year following Mr.. Frey's connec-
ton with the Santa Fe. the road became
involved in the A. r. u. strike. 1t was
trying time for the new official, with
the several thousand miles of the Santa
te road proper under his control, and
his actions were closely watched by
the railroad world generally 1t was
then that the executive ability. for which
ne had been noted since the time he be-
came general superintendent of the NJ,
X. & T. was put to the test as probably
two-thirds of the employees along the
line of road were turned against the
mana cement. But Mr. Frey came out
If the trouble with colors flying and re-
reived congratulations from railroad
officials all over the United States for
the way in which he handled the strike.
Ar. Frey was II years of age when he