The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-07-03

crease of our profits can be proved by
our records and by the agents OF the
government. who, as ! said, have access
to all the figures and information con-
corning our business. Can you doubt
that the men with money invested IN our
railroads and the men charged with the
responsibility Of managing our railroads
take g pretty gloomy view OF the fu-
ture7"
Denies Giving Rebates.
EFT is said in washington that rebates
are now being given 10 some shippers
in the form of money paid for alleged
damages or delays TO goods in transit, T"
said.
we are not doing anything OF the
kind" Mr.. Ripley answered. Nor do
believe other roads are guilty of the
practice. Relating began when it seemed
logical and Just. from the shipper s
viewpoint, that the wholesale purchasers
Of transportation should be given a DIS
count, as was the rule in all lines Of bus
mess A man who bought a carload Of
salt got reduction in price as against
the man who bought but single barrel
of salt
There were plenty OF railroad man.
ayers, however, who never accepted the
principle in its application TO transpor-
tation They could look ahead and see
the time when big manufacturers and
merchants. enjoying the advantages of
rebates, would drive the little manu-
facturers and merchants out OF business.
But the big shipper was vigorous and
resourceflIl individual. After compelling
the impeounlous roads 20 accept his
terms. he found little difficulty Ia making
satisfactory bargains with the others.
Relating was always an evil, IN the
opinion OF railway men. and I do not be-
iieve that II is being revived by another
method. It was an abuse We all wanted
abolished"
Not a Presbyterian.
Your given name, Edward Payson,
would indicate that your parents were
good Presbyterians.' said. getting away
from things material 20 matters that are
personal
MY mother was a Payson, and there
were Edwards In the family. Besides.
my parents were not Presbyterians. MIR
Ripley answered.
Were you, like most OF the men who
have distinguished themselves In business
and the professions. a poor boyY'
My father was a small merchant in
Massachusetts,. His income, dare say,
never exceeded 500 a year. but we lived
well. and I attended the Dorchester High
School until I was seventeen years old.
when I went TO work"
''Where?"
I'm Boston, going as an apprentice, as
was the custom then. into a wholesale
establishment My wages were $50 a
year. and I boarded at home. ] worked
along until 1 was made shipping clerk
at 800 year, which was more money, I
thought, than could be conveniently man
aged by q young man. By and by I
was offered a better place IN the Boston
Office of the Pennsylvania Railroad. That
was in 1858. and was twenty-one years
old In 1870 ! went with tbs Chicago.
Burlington and Quincy Railroad becom-
ing general Eastern agent tn 1872, then
general freight agent. then traffic man
ager, and finally general manager. was
third vice president OF the Chicago. NIL
waukee and ST. Paul Railway from 1901
TO 1896. Since the latter year have &C.
cupied my present position"
you are one of the great railroad men
OF the country" I said. by what
methods have you achieved SUGGEST"
81 have never had any personal plans
or methods" Mr., Ripley answered. look
Ing at me in some puzzlement and amuse-
ment. because OF the character Of the
question. II Just took what came TO
hand and worked as hard as I could.
Neither influence nor pull, as Il is called,
was ever employed IN my behalf"
do you fish, or hunt, Or"
mo. play golf"
Copyright, 1910. by james B. Morrow