Los Angeles herald., 1906-11-19

each end he would fasten concealed
| telegraph wire, one end OF which ex-
| tended back to the ambuscade. From
the cab window it would be impossible
TO see that the rail had been tampered
| with, and Just as the wheels were about
to run on the loose rail It would be
yanked to one side and the engine
would go into the ditch.
Here was an opposition to railroading
that Is not embraced In the results
growing out of parallel lines" or RI
Yalry between the great masters of
competing transportation systems. 1t
was an opposition that had its educa-
tional value for the thinking man. 1t
made him careful, resourceful and
courageous. This experience was add
Ing. nobody knows how much, to the
equipment of the man who was one
day to reach a very high place in the
transportation world.
There is no part OF the work of rail-
road operation with which Mr.. Hara-
nan is not practically familiar. He
Knows the process of tamping a tie.
lie Knows every part Of the machin-
cry of which a locomotive Is com
posed and could put the parts together
like an expert machinist. He can take
out long freight train and handle the
throttle as efficiently as the most skill
full engine driver.
Mr.. Harahan knows by experience all
the dangers and all the experiences
which befall the average train hand,
Tor he has undergone them all, and no
man is more competent than he to Judge
Of merit on the part of his subordinates.
he Is, In short, a railroad man from
the ground up.'
Mr.. Harahan has been called the
Ulysses s. Grant of the American rail-
way world because of his indomitable
energy and perseverance and the fac
ulty he possesses of pegging away at
any difficulty encountered until 1t is
removed and his purpose hase been ac-
complished.
Mr.. Harahan is big man in every
way, OF massive frame, he is strong
and rugged physically, He is strong
mentally, with an Unsuitable determina-
ton to acquire all the information OBJ
tainable on any subject in which he
becomes interested. To this disposi-
ton is attributed the deep scientific
as well as practical knowledge he pos
sesses of everything relating to rail-
road affairs. He is likewise a big
hearted man, considerate to the widest
extent of the rights and feelings of his
subordinates.
Like many big men, Mr.. Harahan
uses few words, but he is keenly OBJ
servant of everything taking place
within the sphere of his vision, and
none has keener insight into the mo-
ttves which prompt mems action or
the results that are likely to follow.
There is no better judge of human ma
ture than he; hence his ability to pick
out the right men for the places which
he Is called upon to fill.
Mr. Harahan is possessed of a calm
mind. Nothing perturbs him. When
confronted with an emergency he goes
about meeting it with serenity and
a ciearness Of perception of what is re-
quired, and with alertness energy and
determination. His quickness of de-
cisfon and action has frequently proved
q surprise to those noting the calmness
of his exterior and the apparent de-
liberation with which he has under
taken the performance of the work re-
quired. 1t has been said of him that
while other men have been thinking
of how thing should be done he has
accomplished 1t, and If asked how he
fulfilled his purpose he simply points
to the result, the only explanation with
which he is concerned. He is impatient
of delay and cannot endure procras-
tination.
While man of few words, Mr..
Harahan gives his instructions in def
mite terms, and he expects his orders
10 De carried out WITH the same alert
ness and precision he himself would
exercise.
The pioneer period in railroading. in
Mr.. Harahan's opinion, has passed, and
the successful railroad manager of the
future must understand the why's and
wherefores of every action. He must
be the master of the principles of ope-
ration. Science and practice must be
combined
Extending His Lines
Mr.. Harahan has been the operating
head of the Illinois Central system
since November 1, $780, The system
as it stands today is different from that
of which he took charge sixteen years
ago. BY absorption and extension the
road has added many hundred miles
to it's total length and increased its
earning power many fold.