The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-12-29
M'CREA IN CASSATT'S PLACE.
PICKED By MANY AS NEXT RESE-
DENT OF PENNSYLVANIA.
IL Now vice-PresIdent OF the Lines West
Of Pittsburg NON OF the Eastern Vice.
n Presidents Trained In Practical Rail-
roadlnE -FrIck UnlIk ely 20 ne Chosen.

81 Presidents Trained In Practical Rail-
reading -Frick Unlik ely 20 ne Chosen.
Alexander J. Cassatt, who had been presi-
dent OF the Pennsylvania Railroad since
1880. died yesterday at his nome In Phila-
delphia. He had been ii for some weeks.
but his death, which was due TO heart dis
ease. was unexpected.
James McCrea, one OF The directors of
the Pennsylvania Railroad and vice. presi-
dent OF the Pennsylvania Company, which
controls the lines west OF Pittsburg. is
considered in well informed circles the
man most likely to succeed President Cas-
SAT-. Mr.. McCrea IL the only director edu-
Gated in the railroad business, and his
knowledge OF the affairs Of the company
both east and west Of Pittsburg is declared
to be equalled by no other mar connected
with the company. One OF the best in
formed and most prominent men in the
financial district predicted yesterday in
the most positive terms Mr.. McCrea's elec-
ton. He analysed the situation az follows:
The board is, of course, elected by the
shareholders, and at the meeting for organi-
Ndboh ING DOaTd Lnen AppOnCS tho VICE
presidents, who by virtue Of their Office
become members OF the board. These
vice presidents are: John p. Green, first
vice -Wesident; Charles f. Pugh, second
vice president; Samuel Rea, third Woe
president; J. B. Thayer, fourth vice presi-
dent, and Henry Tatnall, fifth vice president.
The first two are OF about the same age as
was Mr.. Csssatt. and are soon to retire
tfnh0r tha ma ltpnft 81 m xAaHo Cao&
Green has been devoted to the finances,
while Mr.. Pugh has been charged with the
details of transportation. Mr.. Rea in an
engineer, just now in charge Of New York
work. Mr.. Thayer il and always has been
a traffic manager, while Mr.. Tatnall was
taken from the presidency of the Franklin
National Bank Of Philadelphia to the treas
urership, and has no other knowledge of the
affairs of the company.
None of these officials is considered
as a natural successor, not alone because
their labors ave beer in one channel pro-
ductive of no knowledge of the wide necee-
sites Of the other branches Of the service,
but none Of them has any knowledge of the
vast interests Of the railroad on the lines
west OF Pittsburg.
We'll informed men think that Mr.. Cas-
satt was providing for the future when he
had James McCrea elected to the directory.
He is the one railroad man annually elected
by the shareholders. He served in various
positions on the Eastern lines, finally be-
ing transferred from the general superin-
tendency OF the lines. of the Pennsylvania
Railroad east Of Philadelphia TO that Of
general manage OF the lines west Of Pitts
burg. In his twenty-five years in charge
OF these properties he has risen TO the first
vice-presidency, a post he has filed for
the last ten or fifteen years. and is absolute
in control Of them, the presidency always
being held by the president Of PennsyI-
vania Railroad Company. Since his pem-.
bership in the board OF the Pennsylvania
he has been obliged TO spend much of his
time in the East, and his former knowledge
Of the properties he operated has been sup
plemented with a thorough knowledge OF
all the improvements made since that
time. He is accordingly entirely familiar
with all the intricacies Of the present sys-
TEN. He combines a thorough knowledge
OF the Western system, a fitness possessed
by no other official, and quite as thorough
a knowledge Of the Eastern lines az any
Official in the service. Logically, therefore,
the next president of the Pennsylvania
will be James McCrsa.'
A banker closely connected with ths
Pennsylvania management conceded with
the above opinion 80 far as To say thai
in his opinion hone of the vice. presidents
Of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company
would be chosen.
Henry c. Prick, reputed 10 be the largest
individual holder Of Pennsylvania stock.
was chosen a director Of the company on
Monday to fill a vacancy, and the report was
sent out from Philadelphia that h, would
probably succeed Mr. .Cassatt when thelattar
retired under the age limit. Ths report
was denied the following day by persons
speaking authoritatively for Mr.. Prick.
Mr.. Frick, it was said. did not desire the
place and would not take IL under any ci.-
cumstances.
Conversations with mon close to Mr..
Frick yesterday left no doubt of the sin
certify of the denial. Not only DOES rs
not wish the place, il was said, hut he con-
siders that his election 10 it would be very
inadvisable. Mr.. Frick is heavily Interested
in coal properties along the road and In
tho United States Steel Corporation, which
is the Pennsylvania's best customer. Or
this account, il for no other reason, his
acceptance Of the presidency is considered
out OF the question.
The names Of George F. Bser, president
OF the Reading; +. ID. Underwood, presi-
dent Of the Erie, and Oscar G.. Murray,
president OF the Baltimore and Ohio, were
mentioned by various railroad men as
likely to be considered in the unlikely event
Of the choice falling outside the company.
But it was believed. even by those who
made these suggestions, that the matter
was probably already settled. On account
OF his contemplated early retirement and
his i'll health Mr.. Cassatt, II is believed,
had discussed the question Of his SUCCESSOR
with men influential in the company and
had agreed with them on the man best
qualified TO complete the great improve
ments he conceived and advanced.