Omaha daily bee., 1910-06-15
HE DIDN'T WATCH THE CLOCK
story of Man who Became n
HeadIiner on the Rail-
road Map.

From Sea to Sea-" has been the title
of many books and poems, but it has
remained for one man, Charles Melville
Hays, president OF the Grand Trunk and
Grand Trunk Pacific railways, to write
that legend across the North American
continent in q broad hand Of oak and
steel that even the Doukhobor and the
stray dog will recognize, when in little
while the whistle will shrill at tho
crossing and the transcontinental limited
will thunder by on a new route from the
Atlantic to the Pacific
Mr. Hays was born on May 16, 1856,
at Rock Island. ILL.,, and had his initla-
ton in railway work in the passenger de-
partment of the old Atlantic & Pacific
railway at st. Louis, which he entered
at the age of II. 1t was not long after
this-almost before he was old enough to
vote-that Talmage, vice-president and gen.
eral manager of the Gould roads, picked
him out OF the passenger department to
be his private secretary and confidential
clerk. In this connection men tell a story
that perhaps is the key to Mr.. Hays's
success.
Talmage knew just what sort of young
fellow he wanted, ana for some time had
been looking about to find him. One day
he strolled into the passenger department
just little before lunch hour, and looked
over the landscape. Half the clerks in
the office ''rubbered" when the boss"
came in. Some of them were putting on
their coats; some leaving for the wash
room; some consulting the clock; some
were still busy. Among these last was
young Hays. who seemed dead to the
world and Talmage, approaching him, in
quired the time Fot day. The young man
kept on figuring, and Talmage put hand
on his desk, repeating the question. In
stantly Hays looked up. surprised to see
the big chief at his elbow.
Il beg your pardon-were you speaking
to me2" he asked.
Merely inquired the time--that was ALL"
said Talmage.
Hays glanced about the room, located the
office clock, and said:
Its 11;50."
Thank you," said the general manager
| and vice-president, strolling out.
That conversation cost young Hays his
| JOHN the passenger department-and put
| him under Talmage on the firing line,
where he could see the big guns in ac-
| ton. Nine years later he was assistant
general manager, and while still In the
| thlrties became general manager, full
Pledged.
| As fur back as 1896, when Mr.. Hays was
general manager of the Grand Trunk, he
| dreamed OF an extension that would give
that railway a sea-to-sea route. However
being only general manager at that time.
| he was not In a position to put his plans
into effect Thereafter he went to the
Southern Pacific accepting the presidency
of that road, when 1t was under Coils
p. Huntington. After Hartman took over
the road, he returned to the Grand Trunk
| as vice. president and general manager and
upon his return he determined to carry
his old plan into effect. Working to thai
end with the English and Canadian own
ers OF the road, and coupling with this
a campaign in the Canadian parliament
he succeeded in having his plans adopted
and financed.
1t is no small matter to plan, execute
ana complete system OF $500 miles 81
road, secure 500 900 private capital, and
get a government TO supply an equal
amount. Mr.. Hays did not manage thii
herculean task singlehanded, yet 1t lie duo
TO his efforts that all obstacles were fin
ally surmounted and the line is now near.
ing completion. Meantime, the gross earn
ings Of the old system have increased 81
per cent and the net earnings 90 per cent
At the beginning Of this year, Mr.. Hays
was made president OF the Grand Trunk
Railway system, and is now at the head
of all the Grand Trunks; ana with his
wide range of interests and the persona
! direction OF the road, he is one OF the BUSH
| aat man In Canada today.