The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1906-12-14
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ceiver of the Texas and Pacific rail-
road. When the road was reorganiz-
cd he was made general freight agent,
which office he filled from July, 1886,
to September Is, 1888.
He was then appointed general
freight agent of the Pan Handle
Route, comprising the Fort Worth
and Denver City; Denver, Texas and
Fort Worth; Fort worth and Denver,
and Texas and Gulf lines.
His rare ability rs traffic manag-
er stood in his appointment us chair
man Of the Trans Missouri Traffic as
sociation, with headquarters at
kansis City. lie served from May,
1889, to October, 1890, when he was
elected chairman Of the Western Pas
senger association at Chicago. He was
the head of this organization for over
two years, resigning to accept the pos
itlon of general traffic manager Of
the Great Northern and Montana
Central railways. lie served with
this road from May, 1892, to April,
1895.
Moved to Atlanta.
In April, 1895, Mr.. Finley was ap-
pointed commissioner Of the South
ern States Passenger association, with
headquarters in Atlanta. His services
while here are we'll remembered. His
offices were in the Equitable building
and the local railroad officials who
were here then tell many pleasant
"reminiscences of the time.
Mr.. Finley accepted the position
with the association when the policies
OF a number of southern railroads
were said to be exceedingly slack. He
was described rs "coming into office
with black snake over his right
shoulder which he used to whip the
dlscomfited roads into line."
"Mr. Finley was rigid" was the
opinion expressed at that time. Yet
among those who are gratified over
his appointment as president of the
Southern railway are number Of the
former officials of the rcproved roads.
Goes With Southern.
Mr.. Finley began his connection
with the Southern railway in October,
| 1898, when he resigned from the
Southern Passenger association to ac-
eept the third vice presidency of the
Southern system. a short time after
he went with the Southern railway he
was offered the position of second
vicc-prcsidcnt of the Great Northern
railway, which was controlled by J. J.
Hill.
MIR. Finley was urged to accept the
offer, and when he expressed some
hesitancy, Mr.. Hill requested him to
name his salary at whatever he de-
sired.
Mr.. Finley did so, and his PROPOSE
ton was accepted. Tie served rs
second vice president Of the Great
Northern from May Is, to September
Is, 1896, when he was offered the
second vicc-presidency Of the South
em railway.
In offering the position to Mr.. Fin.
ley the salary consideration was nam
ed at considerably higher figure
than that which Mr.. Hill, of the Great
Northern, had agreed to.
AS soon as he was made second
vice president of the Southern Mr..
Finley was placed in charge Of all the
operation Of the road and the entire
traffic department was under his sup
crvision.
| Next to President.
! lie stood next to the president Of
the Southern Railway. All of the vice
presidents and officials below him re-
ported TO him, and he reported to
President Spencer. His great capa-
billty as n manager Of the operating
department Of the road stamped him
as one of the greatest traffic men Of
any road in the United States, and he
may be said to have virtually bore the
responsibility Of the operating de-
partment.
While in this office many import
ant changes were made in the operat-
ing department Of the road as his sug-
gestion, and the most modern methods
were introduced. Every change that
Mr.. Finley recommended was success
fully carried out.
It is this experience that has caus-
! nd tbo Iirnoforo or fbn rooI To coIook