The San Francisco call., 1908-09-22
Gossip Of RaiIwaymen

H. V. Blasdel. the intrepid travelling
passenger agent of the Union Pacific,
remarked at a dinner given last Sun
day night by Henry Avila that few
people knew of the terrible dangers
that railroadmen run in the prosecu-
tion of their daily duties.
They talk of Stanley. Amundsen
and other men as brave, who take
trips into Africa or to the north pole.
but did these men ever try and sell
| railroad tickets in an insane asylum
Have they?" and Blasdel looked
long and earnestly at Banker Horace
Vincent of Stockton for an answer.
You will observe that nobody has
"a word to say" continued Blasdel as
he lifted his glass of burgundy wine
to the electric light and looked ad-
miringly at the rich ruby color of the
generous vintage.
'As you all appear TO be interested
In my experience at this particular
asylum l will tell you. L had been
detailed by S. F. Booth to sell tickets
to some nurses and officers of the in
stitution, and after having concluded
my work ] thought l would stroll
through the grounds.
Exhausted with the exercise, 1
seated myself on the fence to await
the arrival of a car. I was conscious
of something behind me and glancing
back saw two lunati approaching
One was armed with a hose and was
prepared to bowl me over with the
force of water he intended to let
loose, while the other, in Indian fash
Ion. was creeping up to end my life
with a hoe
What did I do? Well, I complained
to an officer and he remarked:
Poor fellows, they have to get
some fun. It's so dreadfully monoto-
nous for them up here"
The local inspection committee of
the transcontinental freight bureau
will hold meeting September 80,
when several subjects will be consld-
cred, In connection with which there
is great difference of opinion be-
tween shippers and the inspection de-
partment with regard to the correct
application of the tariff. The first
meetings of the committee created
general dissatisfaction and shippers
hope that better results will follow
from the coming meeting.
The Nevada, California and Oregon
road has been extended TO Likely. 1s5
miles from Reno. and surveys have
been completed along Goose lake TO
Lakeview and rights of way have been
secured for large part OF the dis
stock and mining country in southern
oregon, east of the klamath lake sec
tion. For is miles IL will run along
the shores of Goose lake and as the
line is narrow gauge. it Is assumed
that 1t will not be a part OF a trans
Continental system.
Considerable interest is evineed in
railroad circles as to what will be done
at the twentieth annual convention OF
the national association of railway
commissioners, which will meet in
Washington, d. c.. October 8. 1t Is ex-
pected that this will be one of the
most important meetings ever held by
that body. and IA committees. which
were appointed by last years conven-
tion, are to make reports on as many
important subjects. Among these will
De, The amendment of an act to regu-
late commissioners rates and rate max
ing. This report is awaited with par
t1cuIar interest, for it may. to some ex-
tent, shape the recommendations to be
MADE to congress by the commission
this winter on the question whether
there should be further amendments of
the Hepburn act to prohibit the new
rates, which are complained of as
being excessive or discriminatory
Rensselaer, Tenbroeck. for more than
20 years general eastern agent of the
Union Pacific in New York, has retired
from the service of the company under
the pension rule. A luncheon was
given in his honor on the dav of his
retirement at the Arkwright club, at
which over 100 men, prominent in rail-
road circles, were present. Judge