The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-12-19
President e. p. Ripley of Santa
Fe Satisfied With Business.
October, November Big Months;
December Promising.
MAY BE A REACTION.
Unsettled Political Conditions
Overcast Outlook.
Other Items of General Interest
in Traffic World.

Albuquerque. N. NJ, Dec. 19.-Edward
Payson Ripley, president of the Atch-
ison, Topeka & Santa F'e and ma
tional figure in railroad affairs. stop
ped a day in Albuquerque, on his way
to Santa Barbara, Cal. Mr. Ripley was
met here by Arthur G. Wells, general
manager of the Santa Fe coast lines,
from Los Angeles, and by Captain A.
H. Payson, assistant to Nj Ripley,
who makes his headquarters in San
Francisco.
I When seen in his private car last
evening, Mr.. Ripley expressed himself
as well satisfied with business condi-
tons at present, but gave it as his
opinion that there viii come reaction
within the next few months which may
cover a year or even more.
Business all over the Santa Fe sys-
tenn has been splendid for some time
past said Mr.. Ripley. Our gross
business for last October was the
largest in the history of the road No
vember was also a banner month, and
although I have not yet received the
actual figures, believe it will be a
record breaker. December thus far is
showing well. and if it continues 20
keep up for the next Is days, as it has
for the first part of the month. we will
hot have any cause to complain.
Slump Not Unlocked For.
Unsettled political conditions will
De ISSDOllSlOIS lOl dlly TSdSLAOI III OdoA-
ness which may come" said Mr.. Rip
ley when asked what he believed will
be the principal factor in a general
slump throughout the country in the
event it comes.
Mr.. Ripley is accompanied to Santa
Barbara by Mrs. Ripley, their daugh-
ter and grandchild- The president of
the road said that he was enjoying ex-
cel1ent health, and certainly looked the
part.
Been playing golf lately?'' queried
the reporter, noticing the healthy COM
plexion, evidently due to sun and wind
mo, very little golf and lots of hard
work. replied Mr.. Ripley. as he d.
rected the pyrotechnic display of a
black stogie, while reclining comfort
ably in large leather covered chair
in car. I've worked harder for the
last two years and played less golf dur
ing that time than for some years.
feel fine and the hard work is RESPONSE
BILE for it,
Commenting on conditions in New
Mexico, Mr. Ripley said that it was a
good thing that the Belen cutoff is
completed and in operation.
1T would be absolutely impossible
for the New Mexico division to take
care of the traffic. said Mr.. Ripley
with the Belen cutoff as an outlet we
handle the business very satisfac-
torily." ~
coast lines, and Captain Payson, Mr.
Riplev's assistant in San Francisco
both agreed with the president that
there was plenty of business to keer
both the main line and the cutoff in
continuous operation and that both
lines were necessary for the successful
handling of the traffic.
When asked as to conditions on the
coast lines. Mr.. Wells said that bust
ness had been unusually brisk in Oc-
tober, November and thus far during
December.
1.-THE citrus crop began to be moved
in southern California November L.
said Mr.. Wells, land IL is estimated that
10000 cars will be shipped before the
season is over. The Santa Fre is get
ting a good share of the business and
handled on an average of So cars a
day during the past week"
Business in San Francisco and north
ern california is not as good as e
might be. according to Captain Payson,
who will leave with Mr. Ripley and Mr..
Wells this morning for the coast.
Retail merchants in San Francisco
are complaining Of dull times" said
Captain Paysou. business on the road
is good. San Francisco is making a
strone pull for the Panama exposition
in 1915. but it is not yet an assured
fact that We will get it -