New-York tribune., 1905-01-22
HE ROSE TO THE TOP.
President Potter Was q Tram Con-
ductor for Years.

Just been chosen president of the Long Island
Railroad Company, to succeed the late William
Henry Baldwin. jr., say that his rise from the
position of clerk in the office of a Western rail-
road at the salary of $45 month to the presi-
dency of the Long Island Railroad is one of the
best illustrations to be had of what conscien-
tious work or as one OF them put it, "contin-
uaIly plugging at it." will do for man In the
railroad world.
Mr. Potter abhors notoriety, and cannot be
induced to talk much Of himself His friends,
however tell stories illustrative not only Of his
business methods but of his private charities
as we'll
The office of the president of the Long Island
Railroad has for years been tn this city AS
vice-president and general manager. Mr.. Potter
had his office IN the station In Long Island City;
and he had 1t In the back tier Of offices. almost
the snorting. putting engines In the yard
below From the window Of his private office
q view of practically the entire yard is to be
secured. Shortly after his election to the presi-
dency of the road Mr.. Potter was asked if he
would not have his office In New-York.
I'VE have very good grasp on things here
We may wen stay here was his 1aconic re-
ply, and so he continues In the old office.
The yardmen and about the station in
Long Island City are still mourning the fact
that they unable to bring about ceie-
bration of Mr.. Potter's election which they had
planned. The election took place about noon
and It's result became known to the men soon
afterward. Knowing that It was Mr.. Potter's
habit to take the evening train for Flushing.
the men gathered together a quantity of rail-
road torpedoes and fuses and planned to make
a demonstration as the train pulled out of the
shed. To their chagrin, Mr.. Potter remained in
New-York and did not take the train. Though
he laughingly denies having heard of the pro-
jected celebration, the men have idea that
he got wind of it in some manner
But at any rate" commented one veteran in
the Long Island service, The deserves any cele-
bration we give him He's one of the best
men who ever ran railroad. There are about
eight thousand men working for this road and
not one of them but would do anything for
President Potter. If you don't believe me- ask
any man who wears the uniform"
There is one thing Mr.. Potter will not condone
and that is drunkenness. The employe found
guilty Of drunkenness, after careful inyestiga-
ton of the charges against him. is promptly dis
charged. To man who after years of faithful
service had yielded to the craving for drink and
lost his place MIR. Potter once said: "I am sorry
but l cannot take you back If you will guar
antee TO keep sober. however. will try to get
you another place with some other concern"
he was as good as his word, and the man is to-
day filling lucrative place of trust
Stories Of MIR. Potter's kindness to employees
disabled in the performance of their duties and
of financial aid given to practically penniless
widows Of employees killed In train service, from
his own purse are numerous among the en-
ployes
Not long ago employe left the service of the
road to accept better paid place elsewhere.
Within few weeks he was back applying for
his old job. and successful In getting It
When some one asked him why he gave UP the
better paid place his answer I'D rather run
errands for Mr. Potter for $45 a month than
work for those other people for SIS
Every morning Mr.. Potter has the train re-
ports before him He goes over each carefully,
is not satisfied until he knows the reason and
has located the trouble He has way of deal
ing with offenders and fakirs that they remeus-
ber.
"He never lets loose at a man." said one ytc-
tim He never rips a fellow up the back. but
he says what he has to say in a quiet even
voice, using the most cutting, sarcastic words
ever heard But he is fair1ninded- II he thinks
man has half case he Will hear him personally,
even if others have decided against him.
"Mr. Potter Ia not profane man." said q
friend of his the other day. II have known him
a long time and the nearest know OF his ap-
proach to swearing is to exclaim 'Geer and that
was under stress Of great excitement"