The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1906-12-30

president. Before his health began to fail
he was often seen on the golf links in
good weather. Although never a cricketer
Ike Capt. John P, Green, first vice presi-
dent Of the Pennsylvania Railroad, who
at the age of seventy can still keep good
cricketer worried with his tricky under
hand bowling Mr.. Cassatt liked to watch
the game From his chair on the club
house porch he was often the center Of a
group Of old cricketers while a good match
was being played. When the clubhouse
was twice burned down it was Mr.. Cas-
salts substantial assistance that enabled
the club to build each time better than
before.
Lover of Good Horses.
There was a side of Mr.. Cassatt's life
which made him loved by the sportsmen
of the world. This was his love for
horses. Chesterbrook Farms was his play
ground. Snugly nestled in the Chester
Valley close by historic Valley Forge was
the breeding establishment, the home OF
The Bard Cadet. and Silver Heels, which
coupled the name Of Alexander J. Cas-
satt with all that was best in the horse
world.
Mr.. Cassatt was one of the first men in
America to recognize the merit Of the
English hackney crossbred with the
American trotter. The breeding of this
type at Chesterbrook was soon gradu-
ated from the experimental stage The
get Of Cassatt's hackneys were ribbon
winners wherever shown, and the owner
of Cadet took a keen delight in always
attending the horse shows held annually
at ST Martins. Bryn Mawr, Newport
Bar Harbor Baltimore, and the Vir-
ginias.
His thoroughbred stud, graced by The
Bard, famous the world over as a pro-
Queer of substance and speed. has won
laurels galore. Chesterbrook has been the
nursery of scores of purse winners. or
late years Mr.. Cassatt was not personally
identified with the turf.
Interested in Yachting.
Mr.. Cassatts activity in the horse world
in recent years was confined to the sad
die. While he rarely tempted providences
by taking a six-foot fence, he was es-
pecially fond of cross-country riding, and
up to within a few years he was fire.
undulatlng Chester Valley country. His
adherence to the saddle until within a
few years was doubtless responsible for
his sturdy physique.
Next TO the horse. Mr.. Cassatts strong
est penchant was for yachting. He was a
member of the Corinthian Yacht Club
twelve years, being No. So on the roll.
His orange pennant studded with a blue
star on his yacht Scud was often Haunted
across the finish line first. At Bar HaT-
Dor, with other Pennsylvania Railroad
officials he took keen interest in one
design racing. and each summer for the
last ten years Pennsylvania president
could be found At the helm Of his favor
tie craft. eager as any for the summer
colony yachting honoTs.
McCrea Made Good Impression.
Should James McCrea. vice president
and general manager Of the Pennsylvania
lines west Of Plttsburg and a director Of
the Pennsylvania Railroad, succeed the
late Alexander J. Cassatt as president Of
the Pennsylvania. not the least gratfed
men interested in railroading would be the
members Of the Interstate Commerce
Commission.
The exposures of the coal and oil inves-
LEGATION by the Interstate Commerce Com
mission last June resulted i'm some start
Iing discoveries by that tribunal during its
hearings in Philadelphia. While Mr.. Cas-
satt was not directly connected with evil
practices, many minor officials of the
Pennsylvania were found 10 be in league
with favored coal companies in Western
7eunsylvania and saw TO it that the IA
rsrites received advantages in car dis
button, company fuel coal orders. and
1ilar railroad favors. Some Of the mem
agrs OF Mr.. Cassatts family, if not him
self individually. owned stock or were
closely associated with large coaI-mining
operations in the bituminous district.
which We're alleged TO enjoy large favors,
particularly in car distribution.
The investigation resulted in the dis
missal Of a number Of minor officials Of
the Pennsylvania, and the PRONUNCIATION
Of an order prohibiting the ownership Of
coal stock by Pennsylvania employees.
No Graft on Lines in His Charge.
The Pennsylvania reputation for integ-
rity suffered several hard blows during
the Philadelphia hearings. and some Of
her most eminent officials went through
gruelling cross-examinati0ns. i'm which
they made admissions that put them in d
sorry plight.
Like a breath Of fresh air was the ap-
pearance Of James McCrea as Pennsyl-
vania witness. Himself director of the
Eastern company, his real field was west
Of Pittsburg, where, as vice president and
general manager Of the Pennsylvania
lines. he was then and still is practically
supreme. He convinced the members Of
the commission that there was no favor
itism among the coal mines served by the
lines under his command Problems Of
car distribution there were, but they were
so well solved that operators never com
planned about being sacrificed by the rail-
road for the benefit Of favored rivals
Mt. McCrea testified before the com
mission for the better part Of a day. He
cleared the atmosphere, so TO speak. The
effect Of his testimony was to show com
plete knowledge Of railroad management,
from financial policy to detail OF opera
ton. and at the same time 10 establish
in the mind Of his hearers that McCrea
was a man Of broad-minded and practi-