The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-08-27
AT AGE OF 81 YEARS,
rs HEAD OF NEW YORK CENTRAL
Young William x. Takes Place
Of President Brown, Who
Is Abroad.
STUDENT OF RAlLRoADlNe
Wall Street Wonders What Viii
Happen Ultimately to Great
System.

sam Vanderbilt, Jr, ls, at tnlrty-lWo
years of age, the acting head of what
has been called the greatest railway
system in the world. the New York
This young man. fifth In the line of
the Vanderbilt succession, is filing the
shoes Of President w G. Brown, who
is In Europe on long vacation;
within tho last few months William
*. Vanderbilt. Jr.. made an extensive
examination of all the. properties OF
the New fq p ahS their
belief that the. young multimillionaire
is destined to become president of the
road, thus restoring to the Vanderbilt
name all the prestige, power and In
iiuence of past generations
1t liz the thing which may happen |
when Mr.. Brown returns to this .coun-
try that has set Wall Street talking In
system Heritage.
The New York. Central and all &c
branches have always been regarded
as the heritage of the Vanderbilt fam
Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt
founded the road and was succeeded
by his son. William II. Vanderbilt, as
control OF the system to his son. Corr
nelius Vanderbilt II. Upon the illness
of Cornelius Vanderbilt, William X.
HT second nseam son 81 and
chairman of the board.
| 1t seems only natural that the con-
troll of this great system. SO closely
allied with the va hsnas oe ba san
| OF William K Vanderbilt. who hut re-
Gently was appointed to the position OF
assistant to the president, w. G. Brown,
a position especially created for the
William K. Vanderbilt. Jr., is no trio
at railroadinE He has been study
problems for the past seven years. and
| those who have come in contact with
the young man assert that he has all
| the qualities Of mind and character
| necessary in a position OF such vast
Importance to the railroad and COM
| mercial worlds.
William K. Vanderbilt. Jr;, is the
| youngest as Well as the Wealtnlest OF
of acting president of great railway
| sygtem,
The business of the road for the
first three weeks in August showed a
Mr. Vanderbilt was asked what he
thought. about this state Of affairs.
Praised by Business Associates.
"The annual movement of crops"
but the crops moved last year at
the same time" was suggested. DO
showing?"
millionaire. with a decisive shake OF
only here to hll in. as best can, in
the absence OF Mr. Brown. am only
trying to keep up the business of the
road to the best OF my ability.
II would prefer not to be questioned
along personal lines. do not desire
!, to appear as talking about the per-
2 sonal sid of my duty. All care to
say is that l have been engaged at
g to the best of my ability: ! shall con-
r tinue in this post until Mr.. Brown
comes home"
Mr. Vanderbilt is young in appear
: ance as Well as years His brown hair
curls over a well-shaped forehead; his
| eyes are steady and clear. and he has
about him the atmosphere OF perfect
health and nerves under control.
Some of the men associated with
lyoung Mr. Vanderbilt, men who have
| watched his work and marveled at his
ability and grasp, of the many sid ID
! face, We're willing to talk OF the per-
sonal side of the new acting president,
/ ,"He is always cordial and pleasant .nNsa
| never too busy to be tactful. and he
II has an absolutely healthy mind. d.
rected to the joint, pursuit, of business
ana pleasure. In other words. he works
while he works and plays while he
plays. but he never mixes the two;
Never NeElccts business Duty.
"Mr. Vanderbilt has directed most OF
his time and attention for the past two
York Central. He still finds time t
enjoy healthy out-of-door sports. al.
though he has been very closely asso
clated with railroad business this sum
mer.
"He does not keep regular hours be-
cause he does not find 1t necessary
This business regulates its own hours
There are things which must be done
matters of vital Importance which de
mand the attention of the mind at tn
helm of affairs. 1t falls to Mr.. Van
in some cases, there are things whic'
he himself must do. and he neve
leaves his Office until he is satisfied
that his work is completed In the prop
err manner.
HE believes that the successful bus
mess man often finds relief by takin
his business home with him. and h
m sht h hhe maa wh1 hn
of the day often finds the clearest so
luton at that time
Some Of Mr.. Vanderbilt's friends an
associates were asked whether an
new ideas or reform measures ha
been introduced since the young ma
"Mr. Vanderbilt is only trying I
J follow out the policy, Of Mr.. Brow
y and conduct the road along long estat
= lished lines laid down by the abser
4 president" said one, He has been M
l Browns assistant anu is we'll lHIOrnle
as to the presidents point of view an
81 policy
, "The acting president of the roa
d is deeply interested in the progress
4 made toward identification in raj
= roading, and particularly the electrifics
n ton of the New York Central and Hut
y, son River He is also interested
II the farm projects advocated by M
81 Brown several months ago, but he Ii;
a horror of bringing his views befo
y the public. AS to his personal belief
he does not think them important
= other people,.
- On the subject of electritication.
= is recalled that young Mr.. Vanderbi
studied this problem most CAREFUL
going into it In all Its ramifcatior
! and he once gave 1t as his opinion tn
y. all roads must come to electricity
time.
" Vanderbilt's office suite, which owe
" looks Lexington Avenue from 80 Thu
y floor of the new Grand Central Static
The young millionaire railroad he
= is not hard man to see" Gale
are requested to explain the nature
their business to a negro sattenda
who transmits the message to t
Young head of the road.
MI, Vanderbilt has brought his 10
of sports into his private oftlce---a lar
room comfortably furnished with Leaf
= ar chairs an immense desk and