The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1909-04-30
tion of his services in the last presi-
Dental campaign,

ton of his services in the last presi-
Dental campaign.
MIR. Fitch was president of the Rail-
way Mems Independent Taft club, and
largely through his efforts the union
railroad men of the country were
made Taft enthusiasts. Last April he
made a trip over a large section of
the continent on Candidate Taft's
special train, and came into personal
contact with the future head of the
nation.
Fitch Put in Hard Days Work.
returning to Conductor Fitch
aboard the 9:05 express, 1t must be
recorded that he put in the hardest
mornings work of his life punching
the tickets on that train. Before he
was allowed to nip square from the
edge of any pastegoard, he was fore
ed to shake hands with the owner.
Also he had to shrug his shoulders
at the query: What are you going
to do with that little 81 500 per?" and
reply that he didn't have the least
idea when he was going to break in
on the new job. He did all this in
Vulnerable times az he punched" his
way through his TWO cars of the train.
"Sixty-thir-r-rd street," he shouted
as a new crowd Of south side COM
muters boarded the train bringing
more congratulations. Every single
fare" 1t seemed, had read the good
news, from the occupants of the rear
coach, sacred to Hyde Par; shoppers
and millinery advertisements, to the
combination baggage, smoking and
baseball den behind the tender. When
the last local stop had been passed
and the little locomotive began to
wing Its way past the Chicago Beach
hotel on its squirt to Van Buren street
Conductor Fitch welcomed a breath
ing spell.
No Rest for Popular Conductor.
Even then he couldn't escape being
nailed as the coming collector of in
ternal revenue. Citizens who had
ridden with him on that train ever
since 1891. when he began to earn his
service stripes on the Illinois Central,
insisted on reminding him of it.
Younger business men, who as chill
dreD once waved to him as he whisked
past, grabbed him by the hand and
told him how sorry their own little
ones would be at losing "the big con-
ductor."
"Too-oot! Toot-toot." replied the
bobbing little engine as it neared the
Randolph street terminal.
Fellow Employees Extend Greetings.
When Conductor Fitch dismounted
he was met by an informal delega-
tion of trainmen. Engineers and fire.
men, trackmen and oilers all passed
him grips glad but greasy. On report
ing i'll the trainmaster's Office there
was conclave of the uniformed rank.
II really don't know as much about
the appointment as you seem to
know" said Mr.. Fitch, as he fingered
his ball-bearing, collision-proof rail-
road watch. "Of course put in lot
of hard work for the success of the
Republican party. ] had about eighty
assistants in different parts of the
country and l laid off from ticket
punching to direct the work of induc-
ing railroad men to vote for Taft.
During the trip I made on the Taft
special l came to look upon Mr.. Taft
almost as father and l think l sue
ceeded in spreading my enthusiasm to
the rest of the boys"
Fitch lives at 6237 Monroe avenue,
and there his wife had an equally
busy day accepting the congratula-
tions of neighbors. In spite of it all,
Conductor Fitch will be on hand for
his first train run at 6:25 sharp to-
morrow morning, just as he has done
ever since 1891.