The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-10-10
POINTS a MORAL.
President Loree's Resignation Marks
Step in r. 1. Development.

Il. Il.
L. F. Loree's enforced resignation
from the presidency of the Chicago
Rock Island & Pacific points a moral
in railroading, says the Minneapolis
Journal Though a 100000 man, Lo-
rec had to get out, it is semi officially
stated, because he was an eastern man
and lacked the grasp OF the big, I'D
eFaI, western way of doing things.
But among railroad men who have
watched the upbuilding of the Rock
Islands gigantic network of rails, the
LOree resignation has significance
that is remotely suggested in the rea-
son officially assigned.
Originally the Rock Island was a
logical system, in complete territorial
harmony with itself and with we'll
purchase and agreement, it has now
become a veritable giant among rail-
roads. 1t covers the midland section.
the northwest and the southwest so
thoroughly that a silver dollar can
hardly be laid anywhere on a good
sized map of the central western half
of the United States without touch
ing one or more Rock Island lines.
In order to acquire this or that link
the Rock Island has taken in whole
systems, parts of which have paral-
leIed or competed with parts of the
Rock Island system. And all this vast
system must be operated at a mini
mum of cost and at a maximum of
efficiency.
The problem presented is one which
was anticipated long before it actu-
ally materialized. For weeks the pow
erS behind the great machine beat the
bush for a man big enough for the
job; but men who had made great
regulations in operating were back
ward about tackling a problem whose
immensely practically placed it in the
one Minneapolis man had the oppor-
tunity to say he was pretty well off
in his present position.
So Loree's resignation marks an
other stage in the development of the
Rock Island problem. The solution
calls for genius capable of direct
ing the destinies of an empire or two.
with the United States Steel, the
Standard Oil and several other mod
est corporations thrown in to keep
the dictator from getting fat ind lazy
The quest for this kind OF a man
is not regarded as altogeth or hope
less, but when he is found he can
command a salary which will enable
him to pay his private secretary as
much Charlie Schwab was paid
for running the little, old steel trust
The Brooklyn Eagle says:
The changes made in the officials of
the Rock Island company and the
Rock Island Railway company consti-
tuted one of the principal topics of dis
eussion this morning. Railroad men
and others who are familiar with the
Rock Island situation regard these
changes as one of the most important
announcements that have been made
regarding the entire Rock Island pro-
position. 1t is pointed out that Robert |
Nfather is entirely familiar with the af-
airs and the purposes of the Rock Is |
and company, and very familiar also |
With the affairs of the operating com |
0any. Further attention is also called |
o the fact that Mr.. Mather is thor |
,ughly capable in every respect, and /
hat there is no discordant element |
lmong the dominating interests in the |
4ntire property. In due time much bet
err results are looked for on the Rock
sland lines. 1t is believed, also, that
he course of Rock Island securities in
he future will reflect to considerable |
xtent the Importance of the changes
made yesterday.
The Des Moines Capital says:
General Superintendent Seifert of
he operating department, and who is
he executive head of the portion of
he Rock Island system extending from
chicago to Denver and Omaha and to
and st. Paul. was in Des |
1oines and Valley Junction last night
nd this morning. He will visit Omaha
nd Council Bluffs today and then go
n over the road to Denver, returning
or a side trip to Cedar Rapids and the
win Cities before returning to Chi
ago.
Mr.. Seifert spent his time here in
onSultation with the superintendent
f the two divisions centering here and
nth the heads of thes division depart
lents. At Valley Junction he went
trough the yards with view of as
the condition of rolling
took and also visited the shops
To local Rock Island employees he
ave out the inference that his tour is
t the suggestion of Mr. Winchell and
or the purpose of preparing a report
n the condition of equipment and
lock, roadbed. etc, and for the pros
ects of business along the road for
Sc in chaping the immediate policy of
lie road Mr.. Seifert was for many
ears division superintendent with
at Boone; was afterwards
ssistant superintendent of the Rock
'land, and was associated with the old
engagement, so that there is little pro-
ability there will be change in so :
II as his office is concerned
Mr. Seifert conveyed the impression :
lat it will be &ae policy of the new j