The San Francisco call., 1910-05-10
Gossip of RailWaymen

G AM BOOTH of the Union Pacific was
once travelling freight and pas
senger agent of the Southern Pa
ciflc 1t was during the time OF the
presidency of the late c. p. Hunting
ton, whose travelling was always done
in the daytime.
Booth was always soliciting carloads
or fruit. In fact he became horti-
culturist, according to his own ideas.
One day he was standing at the depot
at stockton when the private car of
Hunlngton stopped at the station.
Huntlngton's secretary and his nephew.
H. E. Huntington, were with the pres.
ident of the Southern Pacific, and they
had a hard time in explaining the diff
ferent attractions to the old gentle
man.
Booth was spotted and invited to
ride to the city in the special When
the train reached Pleasanton, H E.
Huntington called the attention of COL
lis z. to large orchard
Fine apricot orchard there, uncle,''
he said.
Are you sure. Henry, that that is an
apricot orchard. l think 1t is peach
orchard.
Sure. I'll leave it to Booth
Why, 1 know them whether they
have leaves on or not" Booth said when
the controversy was referred to him.
That's an apricot orchard
L think you are all mistaken" re-
piled Z. +. 1t is a peach orchard I
laid it out~tn peaches 25 years ago."
The Pennsylvania, for the safety of
its passengers and for the safe con-
veyance of freight, has started a sys-
tenn of examination and of instruction
for all employees connected with the
movement of trains, and unless sew
eral thousand employees between Pitts
burg and Philadelphia can make better
percentages on second examination
than they have made on the first there
will be considerable shifting. 1t is re-
quired that at least so per cent be made
in the examinations.
The new rules have been in the hands
of each of the 10000 employees since
early in March. They require every
conductor, operator and engineer to
be familiar with all the workings of
a train order. Schools have been es-
tablished with active rai1roadmen as
instructors. 1t has been found that the
average railroadman does not under
stand the rudiments of railroading
when set down in black and white. If
the employe can not answer eight of
each ten questions put to him now he
has 10 days from May L in which to per-
feet himself. Failing on second exam
alton his connection with the Penn
sylyania is ended
H. P. Anewalt. assistant general
freight agent of the Santa Fe, is out
of the city for a few days.
The state railroad commission will
hold its regular monthly meeting this
afternoon at 1 o'clock Up to yester-
day there was nothing but routine on
the calendar.
L. M. Shepardson, chief clerk of the
freight department of the Illinois Cen
trail, with office at St. Louis, is in the
city for few days.
James Horsburgh Jr.. general pas
is expected to return to this city this
week.
In addition to the regular sale days
of special back east excursion tickets,
the Santa Fe has announced three
extra days, June Is, Ia and Is. All
transcontinental roads offer the same
reductions on those days.
Paul Shoup. vice president in charge
of electric lines of the Southern Pa
cific, returned yesterday morning from
Los Angeles
H. R. Judah, assistant general pas
senger agent of the Southern Pacific,
returned yesterday from New York,
where he specially conducted Prince
Tsao Tai and his party.