The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-26

Topeka IN the future MT.- Loree showed
! the responsibility of the answer off on
| President B. F.. Winchell of the Rock
| Island proper.
Mr. Winchell is a genial suave fell
| low, first rate railroad man and a
| man who has fought his way to the
| front ranks from the foot of the
] ladder. -.-..-.
Topeka people have had no cause
| for grievance since I have been with
the Rock Island. have they?" he
| asked.
q am aware" he continued, that
| several changes were made prior to
| the time when L Joined the Rock ISL
and, which has had a tendency to les
sen Topeka's Importance as a railroad
center on our line, but those changes
were made before 1 began service with
the road. and consequently cannot
be held responsible for them.'
Have you any further changes un-
der consideration as regards the future
for the Rock Island in Topeka, either
the addition to the forces here or the
taking away of a portion of those that
yet remain - was then asked of Mr..
winchen.
I'VE have no plans under considera-
tion at this time either one way or
the other replied the railroad presi-
dent. What may come up in the fu-
ture cannot tell. L do want to say
though that the Rock Island is most
friendly to Topeka and we want to
have the friendship of your people in
return
At this point Chairman Loree inter-
posed with the question, Don't you
think the newspapers have magnified
the changes the Rock Island has made
at Topeka, and that they have made
more of them than they really amount
ed to-"
Chairman Loree says he has been
highly pleased with his trip through
the west Il had never been over
our lines in Colorado before in day
light, he said. q have been through
Colorado before but in the night time.
My trip has been for the purpose of
getting into closer touch with the
properties and to acquaint myself with
the possibilities of the west.
TT is true we have laid off a great
many men recently" he replied in an
swer to question, but it is only tenn
porary. Work is slack with us at this
time, and the men have been released
for a short time until they will be
needed 1t may last two weeks, a
month, or perhaps longer"
The Rock Island officials were en-
tertained by 800 of the Denver busi-
ness men They were taken out on a
trip through the fertile valleys north
of Denver. and the sugar beet industry
was thoroughly explained to them.
What Are They Here For?
Speculation has had a wide range in
Colorado in regard to the visit to that
state of the Rock Island officials.
They made a trip over the Colorado
& Southern and it is asserted by the
Denver papers that plans are being
worked out for the ACQUISITION of that
road by the Rock Island.
The officials also made a trip over
the completed portion of the Moffat
short line to Salt Lake City, and the
Denver papers said that there was
something doing in that direction also.
The Denver Post says:
The Rock Island Railway company
is negotiating for the purchase of the
Colorado & Southern and will secure
possession of the road if it can. This
was given out today on excellent au-
thority.
Harry Van Mater, formerly assist
ant to President Frank Trumbull of
the Colorado & Southern, will be mare
manager of the western division of
the Colorado & Southern. will be made
have charge of the affairs of its roads
and coal business.
Frank Trumbull will still remain
president of the Colorado & Southern.
This is the programme that has been
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