The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-12-30

and California has met with the favor
of the Santa Fe and almost one-half
of the locomotives on the system are
equipped with apparatus for consum-
ing the oil instead Of coal. A total Of
1000 engines are owned by the COM
pany. owing to the extensive oil
fields, 500 of this number consume oil
for generating steam and LOO con-
sumo coal. The coal supply along the
lines of the company is not as great
as in former years and a good grade
of crude oil from the fields through
which the lines run was accepted by
the officers of the company with much
Joy. thereby relieving the fuel sltua-
ton, which was beginning to cause the
officers much worry.
The Pay roll Is Enormous.
The pay roll in Topeka averages
1925, 900 per month and this amount Is
distributed to the employees. which
vary from $500 to 5000. The annual
pay roll of the entire system averages
$40,00O,000.
The taxes which are paid out by
the company for one year would make
the world envious of one who might
possess that amount. The taxes IN
Shawnee county alone amounted to
$72,S54 last year; to S1,199.849 in the
entire state and 100000 for the en-
tire system.
Relieves Congestion.
In considering these facts and in
realizing the large amount OF equip
ment which is necessary for the opera
ton of the system one can understand
why it is necessary to maintain such a
large clerical force in the general off,
ces Of the company. In addition to
the vast amount of property one must
understand that as one of the greatest
systems in the country, an fmm ense
volume of freight and a large number
of passengers are transported from
place to place every day. At the end
Of h is D.
man to estimate the amount of busi-
ness handled by the company but one
can reflect and understand why Il IN
necessary that a force of 1900 persons
should be employed in the general
offices. In addition to that. a large
number are employed in the general
offices in Texas and on the leased lines
to care for the business. most OF which
Topeka or to some OF the Offices in
Chicago where another large force 10
employed.
Larger Than Standard on.
such a gigantic system as the Santa
Fe is beyond the conception Of the av-
erage layman. 1t Is even greater than
the Standard oil company and the
other lines Of business under the con-
troll of John D. Rockefeller. II IS one
of the important agencies which
makes the rapid development Of the
country possible.
The clerical forces go about their
business from day to day, doing the
work assigned to them. These persons
hardly realize the importance OF the
positions which they hold. They per-
form their services as a part OF ma
chinery is made to perform other
duties. That is the reason for main
tanning such a large force and such
a magnificent Office building.
The completion of the new building
has relieved a congestion which has
existed in a more or less greater de-
gree for several years. The original
became insufficient a number
Of years ago. and in fact. the clerical
forces OF & number Of the larger de-
Dartments have been uncomfortabiy
crowded almost continuously during
the last ten years
But a few years ago an addition was
erected on the east side OF the old
building and extended east to the al
ley between Jackson street and Kansas
avenue This relieved the crowded con-
1ition in number Of the departments,
(ConffnueH ON ra~. ia