The Saint Paul globe., 1905-03-13
NEWS OF TIL BHsEE CITY
HOW ELMER BROKE
INTO RAILROADINC
Chicago Version of First Work
of Great Western Pas
senger Chief

The Chicago Record Herald prints
the following account of how James
Patrick Elmer, general passenger agent
of the Chicago Great Western, broke
into the business. The article reads:
The primer of How TO Become n
Railroad General Passenger Agent
contains the following recipe: Begin
at the very bottom and work up. There
is no other way"
Such had been the infallible rule un-
til j. P. Elmer jumped into the saddle
of the Great Westerns passenger de-
partment, taking the daring leap at
single bound. The railroad world was
amazed, but J. p. pursued the even
tenor of his ways and within twelve
month he was able TO take his seat
around the long mahogany table In the
meeting room of the Western Passeh-
ger association.
ElmerS appointment came ABOUT
when. as commodore, he was saillng
boat on White Bear lake during a ia
NOUS regatta. Mr.. Stickney liked the
way he beat out the other fellows after
the race seemed hopelessly lost. After
J. p came in victor and was con-
tentedly sucking his redolent briar in
front of his tent the president ap-
preached him and abruptly said:
u. P. the Great Western needs
SSHSl dl pdSSCiiSCi oSCAAN' ~"
the job suit you?"
What is a G. P. A. and what is he
supposed to do as an excuse for draw
ing his salary?" asked j. p, undis-
turbed.
There isn't much excuse for draw
ing the salary replied the president.
Paying it has become a habit with
railroads. incidentally, there is ira
dition that he is presumed to get busi-
ness for his company. Do you fan
cy it?"
Elmer thought for a moment and re-
piled: 1T sounds good to me, all but
the business part. can do the rest all
right"
You will learn the business quickly
enough" declared the president. So it
happened that j. p. walked into the
general offices a few days later pre-
pared to do or expire. Sriding into the
center of the room he gave his voice
full play and demanded: Where is
the general passenger agents desk?"
THE general passenger agent is not
in at present" replied the chief clerk,
who had not heard of the change in
officials.
'Oh, he isn't! Well, you have got
another guess, hun Order that old
pine desk thrown out of here and get
me one of those new tangled mahog-
any affairs and a long mahogany table
to go with it. / guess that will be a
good starter" he concluded, toward a
G. P. AS spending money for things
he does not need"
In telling the story recently at a din
ner party Mr.. Elmer declared that
while he was compelled to put up an
awful front he knew he would have to
make conf1dant of some one. He Sc
lected Frank Malone as the most con-
t1diRs lo9lEiln 2i 2l f f staff ff
Sending for him, he carefully locked
the door of his private Office and said:
Malone, on The q. t., what does a G.
P. A. do?"
Everybody, and also gets business
If he can"
But how does he get it? Just go
out and gather it in, in any old way?"
That would be a good way, think
Elmer thought it over and determin-
ed to get some business at once. Has
tening to the busiest portion of st.
Paul, he walked up and down looking
for victims. Presently three of his close
friends sauntered along and Elmer
rushed up to Them and grasping one Of
them by the lapel of the coat, ex-
claimed:
Il hear you are going to Chicago"
We're not going TO Chicago" de-
clared one of them.
We'll, that's too bad. Don't you
JOh OuSAl W go 10 Anlcag0.
What for?' they demanded in a
chorus
"Oh, you know travelling broadens
the mind. It's a liberal education"
But we have no need of either"
Don't you think you would go to
Chicago if you could go cheaper than
you could stay at home? You fellows
look as though you were all in. You're
working too hard. Take a day off, do,
and go to Chicago over the Great
Western. It's bully fun and it's cheap
just now.''
"How cheap?" asked one of them.
Elmer made a rapid mental calcu-
lation and replied: Say $40 round
trip, less than half fare'
We'll CO." they declared.
Bully. How many of your friends.
did you say, were going?"
None"
That's too bad Don't you think
they ought to go to Chicago? It's SO
jolly in Chicago. Round them up and
take 'em all along. I need the busi-
ness. You know that's what a G. p
AS for, anyway
Three Pullmans, loaded with St.
Paul's most respected citizens, left on
the limited for Chicago next evening
There was cry of cut rates and an
investigation followed. To everyone's
amazement unquestionable proof was
presented that every one of the eighty
tickets had been sold at tariff, which
was then SIS. 1t was tenstrike for
reputation and it won hands down.
The day following the investigation
Elmer summoned Malone into his pr1.
vate office.
If you ever tell where that extra
$64O came FROM" he said severely, I'll
drown you in White Bear lake"
AYE, aye, sir" replied Malone.