The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-12-09
BUSY CAREER OF w. w. FINLEY THE SOUTHERN'S NEW PRESIDENT


 From stenographer, thirty.three years ago, to the presidency of one of the great railway systems in America. if not In the world, with a salary of S60,00O per year-srch Is the interesting career of William Wilson Finley. who has been selected to succeed the late samuel Spencer as president Of the Southern Railway. -t. When the new president begins. his duties he will Know every detail of the immense work that he Is expected to carry out. He will Rot-only besable to execute, but he can devise new plans for the great system, for he has york; ed his way up, through every depart- ment, from the hualpiiest railroad clerkship to the new office in which he will control the affairs of the southern system. He is fifty three years old; in the very prime of his experiences; for of the fifty-thre years. thirty-three have been spent in the most active railroad service. Not only has he served in the various capacities of many systems, but he has been also identified with a num- ber of railroad associations and has mapped out the plans for the roads which constituted them.
 A Southern MaE. It will be a Southern man who VIII take charge of q Southern Railway. The officials of other roads have al- ready acknowledged his capabilities and every remark concerning his pro- motion has been ths most compliment tary. Local officials of the Southern Railway as well as the roads directors have all expressed their pleasure over his selection.
 "Mr. Finley will be able to operate tho Southern Railway~on systematic basis, is the consensus of the state ments that have been made. The fact that he is a native of the South. has spent most of his time with railroads in this section and has studied south ern conditionsI is one of the strongest recommendation given him"
 His long service in the traffic and operating departments has, so ms friends say, insured him against any failure In his new office
 Native of MiSsIssippI.
 Mir. Finley is a native of M'ssissipp. having been born in the little town of Pass Christian in that state, Septerr- berf g. 1853. He received grammar ana high school education. and entered the office of the vice president of the New orleans, Jackson and Great North ern Railroad as a stenographer on May fl, 1873.
 He served three years as steno- erapher. Until March 1, 1883, he was connected with the New Orleans, Jack- son and Great Northern and the Chica- %, St. Louis and New Orleans roads He rose from stenographer to sec retaryship to the receiver. He held this position for nine months. He was then appointed secretary to the agent TOT the trustees of the road.
 One year later he was appointed clerk in the general freight department of the Chicago. St. Louis and New or leans road. He acted in this capacity fors four years. He was then made, as- sistant general freisht agent, which position he held for three wears
 Promotions Were Rapid.
 Leaving the Chicago St. Louis and New orleans March 1. 1888, he was ap- pointed assistant general freight agent of the Texas and Pacific division of the Missouri Pacific. He remained in this capacity for two years and afterwards was appointed assistant general freight agent for the receiver of the TeXas and Pacific railroad. When the road was reorganized he was made general freight agent, which office he fllled from July, 1886. to September lO' 1888. .,
 He was then appointed general freight agent of the Pan Handle Route comprising the Forth Worth and Dem
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