The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-09-16
Samuel McCrea Of the POnnsyl.
vania Worked on Section.
HILLS START Low ONE
Hughitt, Newman, Truesdale and
Others Began at Bottom.
Other Items of Interest in
Railway Circles.

Wnen a man thinks or menlal ana
hard labor he is apt to think of the
section hand, particularly if he is a
railroad man. or has been. AID it is
hard work, ten hours to the day, and
the pay small Much of this work on
American. railways is now done by
Greeks, Italians, Japanese and Mexi-
cans, as the country has brought bet
ter things to the bulk Of Americans.
Perhaps none Of these foreign labor
ers will mount the high estate, but
il they have in them the desire, deter
mination and ability to succeed, who
shall say in this land of marvellous
president of the great Pennsylvania
system, began in exactly that position
az pay a trifle below the present 81. %
or $1.50 wage. He worked up gradu-
ally to his present high estate, trying
in turn about all the grades of en-
ployment which come between, and
those who are competent to speak of
lis great system agree that it was
'rever better handled. Mr.. McCrea is
still a railroad man. watching care
fully the details of his system, and not
bothering much with politics or stock
markets.
James J. Hill started a trifie higher
up, but far enough from the bottom
to discourage one with less determIn-
alton and persey erance. He was once
brakeman, and then secured a posi-
OF a railway company, where he be-
gan mastering the details of the bust
ness. But in his transportation scheme
he saw the Great Lakes lying in the
Path which linked one great transpor-
tation system to another. He decided
that his plans requires also a knowl-
edge of the steamship traffic, and he
entered the employ Of steamship
company, also at small wages. But he
was learning all the time; studying
and planning of the things he would
do. And he has done them so wen
that he is known as an empire builder,
and perhaps the greatest railway man
in the country. Mr.. Hill was not ex-
tensively educated in school, but in
the greater school of the world he has
gained knowledge which makes his
opinion sought on all matters from
crops to politics.
Marvin Hughitt, president of the
& Northwestern railway, IS |
another who knows all the steps or
career as a telegraph operator, line
d work which brings its followers in |
close touch with many of the intri-
,aeies of railroading.ss And he wasn't |
lent's desk. Gradually he worked his
way up, by determination and always
loing we'll the work in hand.
William H. Newman also came into
graph Office. So recently as 1896 he
was only a station agent down at
Shreveport. La. He was "Bilp' New
nan, then, and probably few of his
nto the president of great railway
system, but that was what happened,
,r what his efforts and ability brought
about, and he now heads the New
York Central lines.
Frederick D. Underwood. now presi-
lent of the Erie lines. began getting
eady Cor his present job by getting a
.osition as brakeman on the Chicago
( Milwaukee railroad. lie KEPT gong
md working his way to the front, un-
IL now he is making more in week
han he used to make in a year. And
,rakemen are not poorly paid, at that.
The president of the Delaware, Lack
wanna & Western road. that spotless
nd wealthy line of Anthracite, is Will
am H Truesdale. who began his ca
Ger as a freight house clerk, and
wasn't satisfied with that. He made :
pecialty OF hard work. and promotions
.egan coming his way, until now he {
e axes as much as the nations presi- I
lent.
aukee & st. Paul. began as an hum
lie telegraph operator on that road a
ew years ago, and by persistent eff
.ort made those above him see he
had it in him. to become a great rail-
DAD man.
J. T. Harahan whom Hartman made
resident of the Illinois Central. when
e beat Stuyyessant Fish to the con-
rol of that system, was foreman or
construction gang on the Louisville ,
Z Nashville when he proved by the
Efficiency of his work that he was fit
ed for better things
How far the list might be continued
) only limited by the number of high
ositions in railroad service, for rail-
Dads are practical things, which !
leans that the head men and their
eutenauts must know their business,
nd that most of them worked up to
THAT they are.
They say this country lacks ro-
nance, and the time of fairy tales is