Evening journal., 1905-06-03

For once Philadelphia seems to be
thoroughly aroused. 1t is filed full Of
the subject of gas.
Its gas fight is big one-so big that
the whole country Is becoming interest
ed in it; so big that residents Of the
ring ridden city begin 10 believe that
Mayor Weaver is not blufiing, but is in
dead earnest. Public sentiment is be-
hind him and strong in the hope that he
will succeed in his efforts against leas-
ing the clty's gas works 10 the United
Gas Improvement company for seven
ty-hve years for S25,000,000. The chief
figure IN opposition is Thomas Dolan,
president of the United Gas Improve
ment company. Mr.. DOlan is q re-
markable character. His name is syn
onymous with the United Gas I'm
provement company. Mr.. Dolan is the
company. and the company is Do
Ian. The rise and progress and unques-
toned supremacy Of the company in It's
chosen leld is due 70 the tireless indus
try and the executive genius Of the
man. It's modern monster Office build
ing, facing two of Phlladelphias no
blest avenues. Is not merely the home
Of q bloodless, soulless, intangible cor
poration. It is a monument to the in
Cividual who conceived and worked
ont Gc possibilities Of q concern which
in it's profits and possibilities justly
ranks with the Standard oil company
That great building, towering toward
the clouds. is filed with vice presi-
dents. general managers. clerks and at
taches Of all kinds and degrees, each
one Of whom thinks he is the important
cog in the great machine. All are mis-
taken. Dolan is the gigantic wheel that
rolls around with unerrlng precision
and force; the others are the flies
whose touch is unfelt and unnoticed-
except on salary days.
There is often a similarity in the
methods Of men and OF corporations.
Some work quietly brit with certainty
and effectiveness. Culc-s are brilliant,
but lack system and staying qualities
The United Gcs Improvement company
has used every known method TO hide
its business light beneath a bushel
There has been no noise. no demonstra-
tion. no Dragging. yet it has gone on,
tunnellng its way from city to city, un-
Ill the corporation now has monopoly
Of the lighting Of thirty or forty Of the
important municiDali,i~7 ~ the United
States With the iorr '"'ee Of the
Philadelphia gas wo- most de-
sirable asset It has leasing
and purchasing until . cg.la TO look
like an endless chain Of gas plants,
with ever increasing dividends for the
stockholders. The methods of the cor
poratlon are the methods Of Its first
and only president.
A Man of Mystery.
Thomas Dolan is a masterful man
and a mystery. He has many friends
and few intimates. His business asso-
ciates have Just estimate of that
phase Of his character, but they know
nothing Of the man as a fnancier
Those who think they understand him
socially are in the dark regarding his
ability as a politician A sphinx to
the world, he IS also a puzzle to those
who believe themselves close enough
to study his talents and his idiosyncra-
sizes.
The most aristOcratic of men, he is
at the same time the most democratic.
Silent curt and expressive, he is yet,
when in the humor. most companion
able, pleasing in manner and speech,
although talking as one who speaks
authoritatively. A Shylock in exact
ing his pound Of flesh in every busi-
ness transaction, he is, on the other
hand. lavish in the bestowal Of money
and gifts upon those for whom he has
conceived a liking. Wrathful when
crossed by his peers, with n wrath
that shakes his frail body from head
to foot. when dealing with subordin-
ates he is both kind and considerate.
The real Thomas Dolan will always
be the unknown Thomas Dolan His
character seems to battle the analysis
with which one can generally classify
most men Of mark.
Wise Head, Willing Hands.
With Thomas Dolan. the problem we
call life spells Business" with very
large and distinct capitals. When he
came, a barefooted and bareheaded
boy, from Montgomery county in the
early fifties, he brought with him a
wise head and willing hands, and they
have worked together so successfully
that their possessor is now a weighty
factor in the most important munich
palities Of the land.
He is typical Philadelphia
-,.t.- - - = II,