New-York tribune., 1907-01-03

Photograph by F. Gutekunst)
tors after the funeral of Mr.. Cassatt on Mon
day. At that time it was decided to formally
meet to-day and ratify the selection. Because
of the cut and dried nature OF to-day's meet
ing all the directors did not deem it necessary
TO attend, but nevertheless, most OF them were
present.
While the board went through the formality
of electing head for the system. Mr.. McCrea,
who returned from New York early in the day,
remained in the private offices of the late Presi-
dent Cassatt with a number of personal friends.
After he had been elected he officially In
formed OF the fact and was escorted into the
board room and congratulated by his fellow
members of the board.
SO far as can be learned Mr.. Cassatt's posi-
tion president of the Pennsylvania lines west
of Pittsburg and other companies affiliated with
the system will not be filled until next week.
1t is certain, however that President McCrea
VIII be elected to all the places made vacant
by the death of Mr.. Cassatt.
The question of filing the vacancies created
by the elevation of Mr.. McCrea has been left
10 committee OF the members of the board.
who viii consult with Mr.. McCrea as to his
wishes in the matter The two men most men
toned for Mr.. McCrea's place first vice.
president of the Pennsylvania lines are Joseph
Wood. of PitJsburg, second vice-president of the
Western lines and William w. Atterbury. of
Philadelphia. general manager of the Pennsyl-
Vania Railroad Company.
The first official ret Of the president was
not make any changes In the stan attached 10
the presidents office.
The board of directors OF the Pennsylvania
company, at a special meeting to-day, adopted
"A resolution the death of a. j. Cassatt. in
which they say:
There never has been period in the history of
OF er as tbat in which MI Gnssat admnsteTs
the affairs of the Pennsylvania Railroad. but
into the future so fruitful Of good not only TO The
railroad he headed. but to all transportation in
n
When President Frank Thomsons death occurred
the recurrent of prosperity and adversely
enterprises, and the struggle for competitive traffic
point where none but the strongest and best
ments to maintain rates were not worth the paper
they were written on. and the rebates eXtoTted by
built up Industries hose development often worked
injustice to smaller combinations Of capital
syivania Railroad be the abolition of the rebate
system and the extension ext Ion OF equal rates 10 all He
tiles of the Baltimore & Ohio the Norfolk West
ern and the Chesapea & Ohio railways, and
utilized the influence obtained through these hold
ings for tho betternent and building up of those
lines believing that in advancing Their Prosperity
he was adyanfing the nrosPery Of the Pfnnsy SJtGry
can there bo round another example of the pur-
suance of such a broad policy by a powerful com
While thus broadening and strengthening the
foundations of the entire railway system his work
to our nationa de3ciopment Would require an ex-
penditure beyond anything before dreamed Of Inn
mense terminal yards, gigantic relief lines, enoc
mark the expenditures in Mr.. Cassatts admnis-
nit of the AIiegbenies has almost reached tide
water. the waters Of the Hudson have been tur-
senser station stat in New York % viii be the sign that
the South, the Southwest and the Middle West
the great commercial metropolis-when the work
of tine last seven years has almost reached fruiton
In our pride at his achevements. IN our fee
vouchsafcd TO MS We can At least endeayor to fGr-
GtI od our IL ,h H,sto, f tHa corn9nV in whose
service he lived and Gied.
James Mccrca who has been first vice-prestdent
OF the Pennsylvania Railroad lines west of Pitts
burg since 1891. is in his hfty-eiGhth year.
Like his predecessor. A J. Cassatt, he entered
railway service rodman. and has spent mrch
of his life with the corporation of which he now
becomes the head. He has filled n series Of posi-
tons of rising Importance until now his career
cuminotes in succession a long list of men
whose names are identified with the history of the
great corporation.
Mr.. McCrca the of a physician and was
born in Philadelphia May l. lSiS. After a course
private school he entered the Pennsylvania
Polytechnic College, where he took a course in Gu
gineering When seventeen years old ne began rail-
roading rodman the Connellsville q South
Pennsylvania Railroad Company as Il rodman
and assistant engineer. He remained with it for
years. and In 1867 went to the Wilmington Z
Reading Railroad Company as rodman on con-
struction. From 1868 to 1871 he assistant en-
guecr of the Allegheny Valley Railroad, construct
ing the Bennett branch. Ills ability had attracted
the attention the Pennsylvania Railroad officials
and he entered the service OF that company IN
March, 1871. He served successively as principal
assistant engineer and division superintendent until
1852, when he made manager of the Pfttsburg,
Cincinnati & St Louis Railway and the Chicago
St. Louis & Pittsburg Railroad.
His next step forward in 1887, when he be-
came general manager of all the PENNSYLVANIA
lines west of Pittsburg becoming fourth vice
president and general manager. After a year as
second vice president he became hrst vice-presi-
dent of the lines west OF Pittsourg In 1881 He mas
also since 1898 been president of the Cincinnati Il
Muskinsum Valley Railroad since 1896 president of
the Terre Haute & indianapolis Railroad Nandalia
Line. president of the Grand Rapids & Indiana
Railway Company and also president of the
Cleveland. Akron & Columbus Railway. MIR. Nc
Crea has been described as persistent plodder
ard worker, like some of his predecessors in the
post which he has been chosen. In his long
experience active railroad man he has
qured most intimate knowledge OF all branches