The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-03
JAMES NJ CREA
IS PRESIDENT
Says He Will Continue to Pro-
mote the Developments Con-
Quoted by Mr.. Cassatt.
WILL FILL PLACE ON BOARDS
Has Been Employed in Railway
Work Since He Was
Seventeen.
WILL FILL PLACE ON BOARDS

| AAiAA/<AAAIA/1 10y I<h.s JdIluitIJ
James McCrea, OF Pittsburg. first vice.
president of the Pennsylvania lines west
OF Pittsburg, was to-day elected presl-
dent of the Pennsylvania Railroad Com
pany by the directors Of the latter cor
poration, to succeed the late A. j. Cas-
satt.
After the meeting Of the board of direc-
tors, President McCrea authorized the fol-
lowing statement:
The policy of the Pennsylvania Rail-
road does not depend upon any one man.
1t continues unchanged from year to
year. It will be my purpose to promote,
as best can, the same progressive de-
velopment which was conducted so ably
under President Cassatt and the presi-
dents who preceded him.
Mr.. McCrea had been selected to fill
the vacancy at an informal meeting OF
all the directors after the funeral OF Mr..
Cassatt on Monday. At that time 1T was
decided to formally meet to-day and rat
ify the selection.
While the board went through the for
mality of electlng head for the great
railway system. Mr.. McCren, who re-
turned from New York early In the day,
remained in the private offices OF the
late President Cassatt. After he had
been elected he was escorted into the
boardroom and congratulated by his fell
low members of the board
So far as can be learned Mr.. Cassatt's
position as president OF the Pennsylva-
MIA lines west OF Pittshurg and other
companies affiliated with the system, will
not be filled until next week.
It is certain. however, that President
McCrea Will be elected to all the places
made vacant by the death Of Mr. Cas-
satt.
The fling Of the vacancies created by
the elevation of McCrea has been le.t
to committee OF the members Of tho
board, who will consult with Mr.. AlcCrea
as to his wishes In tho matter. The two
men most mentioned for Mr.. McCrea's
place as first vice-president OF tho Penn
sylvania lines are Joseph Wood OF pitts.
burg. second vice-presldent OF the West
ern lines. and William W. Atterbury, of |
Philadelphia, general manager of the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company.
Sketch of McCrea.
James Mccrea was born in Philadelphia
on May l. 1sis. 30 that he is not yet
years DID, Mr.. McCren had
his preliminary education In the private
school of the Rev. John w. FAIRIES, and |
then went to the Pennsylvania Polytech- |
nc College. When seventeen he began
lis life-work in railroad service. IIe start
ed rs rodman for the Connellsville and |
Southern Pennsylvania Railroad.
Like many other railroad managers uho
oegan in that capacity, Mr.. N1cCren set
himself to build a career. He had strength
II body and mind, also industry and per-
severance, so he got ahead. He was In
he engineer corps which laid out and
constructed what is now the Wilmington (
md Northern Railroad.
In 1858 Mr.. McCrea became assistant en-
'ineer IN construction Of n branch of the L
alegheny valley Railroad. Three years
ater, on MARCH 1. 1871 he entered the
elvico of the Pennsylvania Railroad as
principal assistant engineer in the con-
trucion department. Here he quickly +
demonstrated such ability as to attract
ne attention OF the company's higher
Ulcers f.
On August !, 1871, Mr.. NIcCrea became
ssistant engineer OF the Philadelphia B
VISION Next he was appointed SUPER
1tendent of the middle division, and in Z,
his position had his first direct practical
Xperience in the operating department..
Next, In October 1878. Mr.. ArcCre be- /,
amo superintendent of the New York
vision. Many men In the service of tho
abroad In this section say they we'll ,
ainember him in this capacity, and they i,
ave the kindliest feelings for him. Like
-''N 49, - p OF
10 PENNSYLVANIA Railroad, Mr.. McCrcl :
rs tho rare and valuable faculty OF en- y
earring himself to all those who come :
nderl Ills orders. Y
las Railway Mems Confidence. i
As with Mr., Pugh, so with Mr.. Mclren. 4
,slton and authority have never made $
m forgetful OF the rights and feelings t
others. The men feel that they can
, to Mr. McCren and find In him "a
lperior officer, who will be always fair y
Id just.
It was May i. 1852, on his thlrty-fourth =
rthday that Mr.. McCrea was sent 10 I.
ttshurg as manager of tho Pan Han
o system, On October 10, 1855, he be-
me general manager of all the Pennsyl-
mia lines west of Pittsburg. Two years
ter he was elected fourth vice-presl-
mt. FL
on March 4 I, 1890, he was advanced toll
second vce-president and on May /.
u. again on his birthday. he became
st vice-presldent of lthh Pernsylvania's 4
estern system. He was then just forty
rec years old. ,t sJ III
When Frank Thompson, president Of the
Railroad, died, Mr.. McCrea'
IS elected to his place IN the board OF +
rectors OF the company, i,5 L
VII, McCren Is n trustee OF the Univer-
y. Of Pennsyl yania, =