The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-12-07
K0ONTz may LEAVE.
Rumored That Topeka Man VIII Be
Made Freight Traffic Manager.

With the recent appointment of J.
e. German, formerly Of Topeka. and
freight traffic manager of the Santa
Fe, to first vice president of the Rock
Island, in charge Of the freight traffic
of that system. comes the natural line
of succession on the Santa Fe affecting
the offices in the freight department
from the Chicago to the coast lines.
There are four men in the freight
department of the Santa F'e who are In
line for freight traffic manager, the po-
sdtion recently held by Mr.. German
These men are w. A. Bissell assistant
traffic manager Of San Francisco; F. B
Houghson, assistant freight traffic
manager of Chicago; E. Chambers. as
sistant freight traffic manager of San
Francisco. The other man To whom
the Topeka railroad circles are look
ing for the appointment is ]. R. Koontz,
general freight agent at Topeka
highly considered by the officials in
Chicago and his appointment is ex-
pected at any time. None of the To-
peka officials were able to give out
any gossip on the appointments this
afternoon. At the Office of the gen.
eral manager, Henry Lautz. assistant
to the general manager, had heard
from General Manager Hurley that
Mr.. German had taken the appoint
ment of first vice president Of the
cepted by Mr.. German was a source
of regret on account of his efficiency
and value to the Santa Fe. How
ever, with their civil service system in
active operation the Santa Fe is able
to fill the position with an experienced
man-aId it is hoped by Topeka as
sociates that Mr.. Koontz will be ten
dered the important position in Chi
cago.
In case Mr.. Koontz goes to Chi
1t 20 Hw,s -
agent in Topeka will undoubtedly be
filled by another Topeka man, r. G..
Merrick, who is at the present time
assistant. There are three other as
sistants, F. c.. Maegly of Chicago, F.
H. Manter and G. w. Cook of Topeka,
agents from other lines Of the Santa
Fe who are eligible to the Topeka
position.
Rock Island Changes.
Chicago, Dec. INSTRUMENTATION of
the Rock Island railway has been prac-
tically completed by the election of
four new vice presidents to serve with
President Henrv U. Nudge. The fol-
lowing changes were announced:
James E. German. formerly freight
traffic mana~er of the Santa Fe to be
first vice president in charge of the
freight traffic. succeeding w. B. Bid
die; F. o. Melcher. to be second vice
president in charge of operation suc-
cee6ing H. L. Nudge: John Sebastian,
formerly passenger traffic manager; to
be third vice president in charge of
passenger traffic: f. S. Moore, former
1y second E -sistant to the president to
be fourth vice president in charge of
purchases, succeeding E. L. Pollock.
1t is understood w. S. Tinsman, man
ager Of the -Choctaw and Southern dis
trict will succeed Mr.. Melcher as gen.
eral manager and that L. M. Allen now
general passenger agent will be made
general passenger traffic manager,
should that position be filled.
w. S. Moore, one of the owners Of
the Rock Island said today:
"The deal whereby 1 and some of my
friends have become interested in the
Lehigh Valley road has no significance
for the Rock Island. we have no in
terest in the Wabash and the Lehigh
Valley is Dot gcing to lease it so far as
1 know"
Additional appointments Of officials ir
the reorganization of the Rock Island
lines were announced here today by
John Sebastian, newly elected vice pres
ident, as follows:
L. M. Allen, passenger traffic man
ager; w. ]. Leahy, general passenger
agent, and ]. A Stewart, first assist
ant general passenger agent.