The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-10-08
MAINLY PERSONAL

about with quick even step a little
pudgy man. His round fat face radi-
ates good nature and his eyes twinkle
with merriment when he is off duty.
He is but 40 years old but upon his
shoulders rest the responsibility for
the conduct of the 1000 men who re-
celVe pay checks on the 18th of every
month. He is the general in command
and the problems he confronts daily
are as great as those met by any
officer in the army
You hear it said that man without
pull" can never succeed in rail-
road work: Where do you suppose
this young man got his "pull?" Did
he get it because he was the second
cousin of some high muck-a-muck at
Chicago? Did he get it because he
was born with silver spoon in his
mouth and bought his way to pre-
ferment? Not on your life. He got
his pull simply because he made good.
When he was 10 years old ne was
boiler makers helper in the Topeka
shops. He obtained this position prob
ably through his father who was
boiler maker in the shops He won
promotion because he earned it and
he has continued to win advancement
with his own brain and his own hands
He was made superintendent of the
Topeka shops-the largest railway
shops in the world-when he was 33
and will probably hold this position
until he IS needed somewhere higher
up. His father is still boiler maker in
the Topeka shops and he will smile
with pride if you ask him how he likes
to be working under his youthful son.
Do you suppose that the Santa Fe
would keep this young man minute
if he had all the pulls in the world
if he was not the right man for the
place. Do you suppose that they
would pay him or any ore else more
than 5000 a month if he did not give
the required service? Not by a jug
full. He always has done his work
a little better than any one else and
he has conducted the Topeka shops
more satisfactorily than any one else.
The officials can depend on him
and they know it and they are willing
to pay him more than they would any
one else because they can. His is the
dynamic force which produces the
best that there is in every department
he gets the results.
John Purcell's life is an example
that any boy may study with profit.
1t gives the lie to the oft repeated
assertion that it is not the man of
merit who succeeds with corporation.
1t proves that the person who is not
afraid to work, who is faithful and
energetic is the one who gets there
even if he works for a railroad
You often hear it said that this or
that business is made, not by the own
er. but by a hired man whose services
dI0 not properly recognized, QCII
you believe it, for it isn't true. Ten
times out of ten business is built by
master mind. He often has the
assistance of other master minds, but
il their caliber was equal to his they
would be conducting a business for
themselves. Part of the qualities of a
successful business man is that of be-
ing capable of choosing employees
who are capable of carrying to a sue
cessful issue the ideas of the master.
They deserve no particular credit and
are paid for their services for what
they are worth, while the emoluments
go to the head of the esta blishment,
as they should.
Why don't more people preach the
doctrine of cheerfulness? It might
drive the doctors out of business. but
what of it?
There is in Topeka a lawyer who
long ago passed the three score and
ten limit that marks the allotted span
of human existence. He is easily the
most popular man in Topeka and the
thing that more than any other en-
dears him to his acquaintance is his
cheerfulness. His heart is as light as
that of a boy of 20. He has turned
his back on Father Time and has re-
fused to grow old. If he loses a case
in court the sting of defeat is lost
in the anticipation of his next legal
struggle. He laughs at the physician
who tells him that he requires a rest
He refuses to admit that he has an
enemy in the world and he is polite to
book agents. He goes through life
with smile on his face and has no
time for gloomy meditation. His spare
moments he gives to writing beautiful
things about his fellows. His house
is the mecca for the children of the
neighborhood. He believes in cult
waiting the beautiful and is prouder of
his well kept lawn than he is over
winning an important lawsuit. He
arises at daylight to sweep his side
walks and even the pavement near
his residence, because he says that
some man on his way to work may
notice what he has done and receive
an inspiration to do likewise.
This man has his faults, for who
has not? He is impulSive and some
times in the excitement of a contest
says harsh things, but he harbors no
resentment, and he recognizes none
His life is the kind that brings joy
to others as well as himself. He lives
in the present always and there is no
Borrowing for what the day may bring
forth
There will be many who will die
leaving a greater fortune behind them
than this Topeka lawyer but there is
none who will be missed more in the
community
Would you rather be the man who
radiates sunshine than the one who
settles down to nurse a crouch and
who refuses to recognize the fact that
there are other people in the world?
Hardly is it necessary to mention
this mans name, but for fear that it
may be thought that this is a fairy
story his name will be given and if
you have any doubt about these state
ments go and make his acquaintance.
He is Captain Joseph G. Waters.
QUAKER NEGOTIATIONS.
lFrom the Philadelphia Record.