The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-02-04

Mr. Mayo says in the course OF his ar
ticle that Mr.. MeIlen went early in his
career into the employ Of the Central
Vermont road as clerk TO the chief en-
glneer, a position in which he was able
10 become familiar with the working OF
another department in tho complex or
uanization Of railroad. After two years
he returned TO the company that had
first employed him. this time as super
intendent's clerk. Presently he WA
promoted TO the place OF chief clerk and
later to that OF assistant treasurer. He
was slowly working his way up from
one position TO another as an office man,
learning the details of departmental work.
In 1850 he was appointed assistant 10
the manager OF the Boston and Lowell.
A year later he was made auditor. then
superintendent, and in loo4 he became the
roads general superintendent. In the
operating department he found oppor-
tunity to make a record that soon at
tracted attention.
One of the reasons why Mr.. Mellen has
hedd many different administrative posi-
t1ons in the course OF his railroad expert
snce, so that instead OF being n traffic
man or an operating man or a financial
man he Is all three and something more,
undoGbtedly Is TO be found In his intense
1y methodical mind and his consequent
valne as an organizer. When he took
hold OF a new department he at once
set about the task Of putting it I'm good
running order. His success in accom-
paishing this in a very short time fire.
ousnty led to his being transferred to
some other branch that needed similar
treatment
WITH UNION PACIFIC
The next important step forward in
M. Meilen's progress was his appoint
nenf as assistant general manager. and
then general traffic manager OF the
Union Pacific. Having mastered the ac-
counting and operating branches Of the
railway business he thus took up the
third branch. that OF traffic Successful
trafic managers are always in demand.
Mr. Mellen's work IN this capacity at
tracted the attention OF the men OF might
in the railway world and caused him 10
be recognized as a coming man.
After four years with the Union Pa
clio Mr.. Mellen was brought back TO New
England as general manager OF the New
York and New England. n line that had
experienced many vicissitudes. What he
might have done 10 this road belongs
chiefly 10 the realm OF unl- proph-
ecy, for after only six months in the new
position he resigned IL TO become second
vice president OF the New York. New
Haven and Hartford.
CALLED BY N. Y. n. H. g. H.
Charles p. Clark was then president
OF the New York. New Haven and Hart
ford Mr.. Clark and his associated Of
ncials had their eyes on the new York
and New England for some time as
desirable addition 10 their own system
One Of the prominent directors OF the
New York. New Haven and Hartford Is
Mr.. ]. Pierpont Morgan. one day In 1897
when Mr.. Mellen was sitting at his desk
in New Haven the telephone bell rang
When he took up the receiver a voice az
the other end Of the line inquired n he
Was prepared 20 40 Immediately 20 ST.
Paul 10 take the presidency OF the North
ern Pacific.
who controls the Toad7" asked Mr..
Mellen.
y. p Morgan & Co. At present" came
the answer.
YES" said Mr.. Melien.
The Northern Pacific was aptlv des-
cribed by a railroad man at that time as
'fwo strcaks OF grease across the
prairie"
The road has been out of tho hands of
. receiver for less than n year II never
had paid a dividend on its common stock
which was selling below ~. II had an
sIi reputation among Investors. % whom
n was known as the road which had
tsnkrupted the great house OF Jay Cooke