Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-30
F|TzGERALD'S ACTION
Reasons for His Resignation
From B. and o. Office.
FRICTION WITH POTTER
Over the Promotion of Men in the
Service.
TROUBLE OF LONG STANDING
Always Insisted on Advancing Prac-
teal Railroad Employees, While
Potter Preferred .Co1legians.
FRICTION WITH POTTER
TROUBLE OF LONG STANDING

BALTIMORE. Md, December 3o-Ac-
| cordfng to an unusually well-informed Of
ficial of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad.
the real reason for the resignation Satur-
day Of General Manager Thomas Fitzger-
aid. which resignation is to take effect
January /. is that Mr.. Fitzgerald has al
ways insisted upon the promotion of prac-
teal railroad men who have worked their
way up from the bottom, while Third Vice
President Potter would always give the
preference in promotions, General Man
ager Fftzgeralds recommendations to the
contrary notwithstanding, to college-br
men. even though they might be deficient
in practical experience.
Differences on this point have long
caused friction between the two officials,
which eliminated Saturday in General
Manager Fitzgerald's resignation and its
prompt acceptance by the third vice presi-
dent.
Believed He Will Quit Altogether.
Friends of Mr. Fitzgerald believe he will
never again enter the service of the COM
pany.
True, his connection has not yet been
officially severed, as his resignation does
not take effect until January l, but those
closest to him personally declared yester-
day that nothing could influence him to
remain in any subordinate position or even
hold a sinecure paying a larger salary.
They also declared that he would stay In
the railroad business. One said he would
not be surprised If by the time he returned
from his western trip he had already Sc
cured new position.
tracked" said the one person probably
more closely associated with him than any
other in private life. This also was the
consensus of opinion Of those who have
been intimate with him officially.
ct. F." said another, lis not the
man to serve in a minor capacity even at
a greater salary. He never has been
man who liked or desired inside work. He
must be out and working, and for this
reason he will not remain idle, although
probably he could afford to do so. Prac-
ticaliy his whole life has been spent in the
service of the road, and naturally he was
grieved to leave; but he will, without
doubt, stay in the business-it is his life'
Friction of Long Standing.
While few Of the higher officials had
anything to say regarding. the general
managers action, the cause as stated in
The Star yesterday was substantiated-
Mr.. Fitzgerald clashed with the third vice
president, Mr. George L. Potter, his I'M
mediate superior. upon questions of opera
ton and authority. Mr.. Potter was up
held. and there was no alternative for the
general manager but to resign.
The trouble between the vice president
and the general manager dates back to the
creation of the Office of third vice presi
dent and making him the s'.Dl eme head OF
the operating department.
When first organized, and, for many
years thereafter. the stockholders and d.
rectors appointed general manager, or
superintendent. and he was given aSsu-
lutte power in his department. Later the
new office Of third vice president was
made. and he was supposed to be SUI
preme. but the lines of authority were
never; clearly drawn. Under the presi-
dency of Mr.. L. F. Loree Mr.. Potter, then
general manager. was promoted, given
larger GALAXY, and made third vice presi-
dent. and Mr.. C. s. Sims, now general
manager Of the Erie railroad, was pro-
NOTED by Mr.. Loree to succeed him.
Why Sims Resigned.
Even though Mr. Potter was then sup
partment, those in a position 20 know
declare that Mr. Sims reported to and
was solely responsible to the president.
Next Mr.. Loree left the Baltimore and
Ohio and then Mr.. Sims came directly
under the third vice president. Th.re was
a clash OF authority. ami Mr. Sims re-
signed. as he put IT. to prevent friction.
Mr.. Fitzgerald is one of the best-versed
men in railroad circles. and is known from
one end of the country to the other as a
valuable nan. He has received f1atter;ng
offers. but declined them all. II he really
does desire to remain in. tie business. as
his friends declare, he will in all pr'Ioa
blity rot be out long. 1t Is known that
&c youil prefer 80 have remained with the
Baltimore and Ohio because of the self
evident fact that he had remained even to
his own financial disadvantage. He de-
clara.l that lie eft the emit 10Y of the road