The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-11-23
RAILROAD NEWS.
Traffic Department of Gould
System Being Re0rganized.
w. G. Stith, Freight Traffic
Manager, Has Resigned.
MORECHANGES LIKELY
RetiringOfficial Has Seen Nearly
Thirty Years of Service.
Other Items Of Interest to
Railway People.

That the western lines of the Gould
system are undergoing a reorganiza-
ton of their freight department as has
been rumored for some time has been
virtually confirmed by the resignation
Of w. c. Stith, freight traffic manager
of the Missouri Pacific-Iron Mountain
systems. Yesterday Mr.. Stith appear
ed before M. c. Markham, assistant to
Vice President C. S. Clarke and stated
that his business relations with the
Gould lines had reached crisis and
that he wished to tender his resigna-
ton effective at once.
Mr.. Stith began his railroad career
with the Missouri Pacific road nearly
80 years ago. He has always been a
favorite with the management of the
road. This is shown by the fact that
substantial increase in salary by spec
ial direction of George Gould, the presi-
dent of the Gould system. He was as
sistant general freight agent during
the administration of William H. New
man, now president of the New York
Central lines. Later on he left the
Gould system for a couple of years dur
ing which time he held the Office of gen.
eral freight agent of the old Kansas
City, Fort Scott & Memphis line, which
was later absorbed by the Frisco. He
returned to the Gould system in 1892
and was appointed general freight agent
Mountain routes. He has been with the
system ever since having been promo
ted to the position of passenger traf-
f1c manager from which he has just re-
signed about eight years ago.
The resignation of Mr.. Stfth will come
somewhat as a surprise among the
western railroad and commercial world
where he has long been well known and
highly esteemed. His plans for the
future are as yet indefinite and 1T is
not known just what he will do.
Just what arrangement for a success
sor to Mr.. Stith will be made are as yet
unknown. Vice President c. S. Clarke,
who has charge of the operation of the
Missouri Pacific and Iron Mountain
systems is in New York and has been
for some time comforting with Presi-
dent George Gould as to various
changes which are to be made on these
lines. Until his return which will pro-
baby be some time next week, nothing
will be done. Until an appointment Is
made B. M. FIippfn, assistant freight
traffic manager will have charge of the
work of this department It is under
stood that Mr.. Stith's successor, how
ever, will come from another road.
The rumors of a reorganization of the
freight department were started by
which have been frequent during the
past few months. Only a few days ago
the appointment of K. M. Wharry, as
sfstant general freight agent of the
NJn u.
general freight agent of the Missouri
Pacific to succeed w. B. knight was
announced and this caused considerable
speculation.
The reorganization of the Gould lines
traffic department seems to be a general
one as the personnel Of the passenger
department has been changed material
ly during the past few months. The
real change in the passenger depart
ment dates back to the appointment or
C. L. Stone as passenger traffic man
ager It was reported at that time that
officials who had served the company
for upwards of a quarter of century
and methods of the newer element in
fused in both the traffic and transpor-
tation departments and that as a nat
ural result there was lack OF CO.
hesion and cooperation. This natural
w affected the business relations of the
heads of the different departments and
prevented the best results in the OPP
expressions of dissatisfaction at the
New York offices of the system and
change was urged. No official ex-
PLANTATION has been offered as reason
for the changes taking place but 1t Is
believed to be caused by the directors
being dissatisfied. 1t is also believed
that there will be more designations In
the passenger and freight departments
before the close of the present year.
The latest change In the passenger
department is the transfer of Charlea
e. Styles assistant general passenger
agent with headquarters In Kansas
City to Atchison, where he VIII nave
charge Of the Central Branch. he Will
be succeeded in Kansas City by j. E.
p Davenport, who has been district
messenger agent of the Louisville &
Nashville.