Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-01-04

as railroad man, He laid out the
Northwestern switch yards Of Chica-
10, an achievement which attracted a
great deal Of attention In the railroad
world. II was not great while before
Mr., Burt was transferred from the con-
struction to the operating department
and he was made general superinten-
dent of the Iowa lines of the Northwest
ern, with headquarters at Boone. From
there he went to Omaha to be gem
eral manager of the Fremont, Elkhorn
& Missouri Valley road serving for I'VE
years in this capacity From Omaha
he was sent to St Paul to be general
manager Of the Chicago, ST. Paul, Min
neapoIs & Omaha road He had hardly
assumed this position before he was
made assistant to the president-Mar-
vim Hughitt--and third vice president OF
the Chicago & Northwestern, This Is
briefly the career Of Mr.. Burt prior
to going to the Union Pacific as presi'
dent of the big system. What he has
accomplished since Is well known
throughout America.
MIR. BURTS HERCULEAN TASK.
on the day Mr.. Burt was chosen to be
president OF the road Union Pacific sold
for 26A In New York. 1t Is now selling
around 50.
1t was certainly a herculean task set
before Mr.. Burt. The road has just
emerged from receivership which had
lasted four years and suffered greatly
from the physical and moral--if that
word may be used--deterlOratlo incl
dent to the fact that It had been that
long in the hands Of the court, To re-
organize the service, rehabilltate the
equipment OF the line and place the
property on a paying basis Mr.. Burt
was sent TO Omaha. With character
istic energy and determination he set
about the undertaking. How well he
has succeeded Is told by the quotations
for the stock At the very outset he
gave the force of his own example TO
the men under him, He retained In
the service OF the company the old eX-
ecutiye officers, who had made up the
staff for years and who We're familiar
with the Union Pacific, It's territory and
It's patrons. one of these--the chief en-
glneer-soon after resigned and was re-
placed by the present incumbent, a man
who was with the president during 9TH
er days OH the Elkhorn, 1t was the
change In methods that brought about
the improved condition In the affairs
OF the line. For instance, sleepy gate
Keeper at the shops was started out of
his rest for weeks by the appearance OF
the "old man. at the gate at o'clock
one morning,
NO MORE SNAPS.
Others besides the gatekeeper were
surprised that morning but the visit bore
fruit in the prompt arrival ever since
of shopmen. Laxity In all departments
met similar rebukes, and 1t was not
many days after New Years, 1898. until
it was thoroughly understood that
snaps on the Union Pacific were a
thing Of the past. His example was
| infectious. and President Burt soon had
| the satisfaction Of seeing his assistants
working with as much energy as him.
self to bring his plans to success, The
| effort has been all he could have eX'
pected. When he came TO Omaha, II |,
told he said to friend that he would
| probably need FIVE years 10 bring abou
a proper readjustment Of the road ant
| It's service. The five years expired las
| February and he kept his word,
President Burt's salary, 1t is stated
| was $4,000 year.