The San Francisco call., 1908-09-29
Gossip of RaiIwaymen

Old time Rock Island men still recall
with a shudder the first inspection trip
of L. F. Loree when he took hold of
that system. Nothing pleased him, and
every officer came in for share of
criticism.
1T is evident to me what you need
he observed to a group of operating Of
ficials, "a kindergarten railroad school.
Nothing seems to have been done with
any fixed plan or purpose. A schoolboy
with half a grain of sense could do
better" he growled.
Now. what are you doing?'' he cried
to an old man who was splitting spike
hole plugs and listening to the abuse
of his superior with evident satisfac-
ton.
Didn't you hear what I said?" bell
lowed Loree. What are you doing?'
It's plain you know nothing about
railroading,' replied the old man with
out even glancing at Loree. for if you
did you'd never ask that question"
The resignation of E. A. Mcfarland,
chief engineer of the Southern Pacific
in Mexico, and that of Howell Jordan,
right of way agent for the same road.
coming on the heels of the appoint
ment of r. H. Ingram as vice presl-
dent and general manager, looks as
if reorganization had already COM
menced. r. il. Drane, assistant chief
engineer, will have charge of all engi-
neering- work, and j. 3. Sparks, now
general agent of the Southern Pacific in
the City of Mexico, will succeed Jor-
dan. Sparks is said to have the con-
fidence of the Mexican government and
also of the higher officials, besides be-
ing on good terms with the large land
owners in the states of Jalisco and
Tepic, where there is to be much new
railroad construction.
The inspection committee of the
freight bureau will meet in executive
session today and the most important
matter to come up before that body
will be the instruction to the inspec-
ton department to the effect that the
observance of technicalities in the in
spection of freight must be avoided 1t
is the intention of transcontinental
lines to permit a broad and a liberal
construction of the tariff such as ship
pers believe they are entitled to, and
which, unquestionably, the law would
grant them in case such matters were
taken into court. If fair and con-
servative policy is observed much of
the petty annoyance to which ship
moved and better relations between
shipper and carrier established. Both
Edward Chambers of the Santa Fe and
c. w. Luce of the Southern Pacific
will attend the meeting.
The Transportation club has decided
to enlarge the scope of it's member
ship and at general meeting of the
club last Saturday night the motion to
have associate members was carried
unanimously. This has been before the
club for long time. and twice before
1T was voted down on the ground that
an associate membership would destroy
the character of the club and rob it of
its individuality. The motion that If a
member who had once been a railroad
man and entered into other business
would lose his rights as railroadman
and become an associate member was
lost Associate members will have the
full privilege of the club. but they can
not vote nor can they hold Office.
There is every reason to believe that
the long projected line between Gualla-
lajara and the port of Chamela on the
Pacific ocean will be commenced short
ly. The government of Mexico lets 1t
be understood that if the promoters
can show they have funds in sight
for its construction substantial sub
sidy will be granted of $4,000 a kilo-
meter. The subsidy would amount in
all to about $1,60O.0OO. The concession