Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-10-06
HOT TIMES ON THE WABASH.
Traits of President Ramsey, who is
Fighting for Control.


Joseph Ramsey, jr.. president of the Wa
bash Railroad company, who is striving
to hold his job and Gust the Goulds from
control of the property, is of Scotch de-
scent, IS years past and fighter with
many of the characteristics OF President
Roosevelt.
The directors of the Wabash have given
President Ramsey an indefinite vacation,
which is another way of suggesting that
his resignation would be welcome. But
Mr.. Ramsey declined to take the hint and
is still on the payroll though relieved of
responsibility His action in going into
court for an injunction against other Gould
roads voting stock controlled by these COM
panies at the annual election scheduled for
next Tuesday is considered a strategical
move to diminish the Gould strength at
the Wabash ballot box. The main point
in the judicial proceeding is that a portion
of the Missouri Pacific road parallels the
Wabash and control of parallel lines is
prohibited in Missouri If the Missouri
Pacific stock holdings can be eliminated
from the election 1t would mean d serious
reduction of Goulds strength and possibly
give those supporting President Ramsey
control of the property. Close observers
OF the struggle expect the contest in the
courts will develop revelations in railroad
financierng as startling as the life insur-
ance scandals.
1t has been frequently said that Mr.
Ramsey was never so happy as when he
had a fight on his hands. and It must DE
conceded that he has won practically all of
them.
Several years ago the Wabash had trouble
with the engineers, and Chief Arthur, who
that he would like to talk the matter over
with him.
In response, Mr.. Ramsey said:
Tell Mr.. Arthur that I shall be very
glad to see him personally. but not as a
representative of our engineers"
This was a cut from which Arthur never
really recovered, and II served to embitter
the feeling between the engineers and the
president to a marked degree, yet with all
of this Mr.. Ramsey managed to tide over
the issue and emerged without a strike
and settlement that was satisfactory to
all concerned.
The doctrine Of temperance is one OF the
most forcibIy impressed in Wabash af-
fairs and management. Mr.. Ramsey, while
not teetotaler. rarely touches anything
savoring OF alcohol though at times he
! friends. But because his mother did not
approve of wine or liquor. Mr.. Ramsey
never allows either in his house.
| Because OF certain stringent regulations
on the wabash. Mr.. Ramsey was by no
means popular with large proportion OF
the employees, though all of them knew
that at any time they could come TO him
with their grievance and receive his per-
sonal attention.
Upon one occasion Mr.. Ramsey was go
ing over the line in his car. the car was
on a siding and Il became necessary to
| shift II to another track.
| One Of the switchmen in the yards called
out in a voice distinct to all in the car:
Move that car out and jostle the life out
OF that Ramsey in it,"
But the car was moved easily with the
| slightest Jolt. One of the officials In the
car jumped up to fire the switchman, but
Ramsey called him back, saying;
II do not care what he says about me
so long as he does his work well, and the
car was not bumped"
The story OF the Wabash getting into
] Pittsburg may never be written. It is too