The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-04-20
StupendOus Task for New Mis-
souri, Pacific President.
Years Of Labor to Build Up
Road to Standards.
BEHIND OTHER ROADS
N. p. Has Not Taken Advantage
of Opportunities.
Other Items Of General Inter-
est in Traffic World.

Kansas City, Mo-, April 2O.-In &C
cepting the presidency Of the Missouri
Pacific, Benjamin T. Bush has taken
upon himself one of the most stipend
Gus tasks in the recent history of the
railroad world. 1t is a task so big that
two more experienced railway execu-
tives baked and refused handsome sal
aries.
w. H. Truesdale president Of the
Delaware, Lackawanna & Western, it
is reported, was the first to receive an
offer. He is recognized as one of the
most experienced operating officials in
the business. He refused. The next
man sought was Howard Elliott, presi-
dent of the Northern Pacific. 1t was
reported that the directors had o1ered
as much as 100000 a year, but it didn't
move Mr.. Elliott. Both recognized that
the position meant hard work and the
sacrifice of q few of the best years
of a mans life.
man. He will be required to keep in
touch with all the minute details of
large program of construction work. He
will spend the greater part of his time
in his private car out on the road. 1t
literally means that he will live eat
and sleep on the job.
Road Falling Behind.
The recent change in the policy of
the Missouri Pacific was due to a feel
ing on the part of others interested in
conducting it's affairs in an able man
ner.
1t will be up to Mr.. Bush to deliver
the goods. He will be watched by many
critics interested in the road financially.
If he can deliver the future OF the Mis-
sour Pacific looks exceedingly bright.
The Missouri Pacific has great poten-
tiaIities. It runs through a rich terri
tory in Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska
But it's possibilities have not been de-
96annaf6lV recent
physical condition and financial results
1t has Jagged behind other roads equal
1y well situated and many not as IA
Vorably situated. It has fallen away
below the Santa Fe in its earnings in
Kansas alone, and yet it touches al
most the same territory. The Missouri
Pacific crosses the Santa Fe over so
times in that state alone.
In comparison with other similarly
located roads the Missouri Pacifics
financial showing for several years has
been weak. During the past five years,
the Southern Pacific, Union Pacific,
Santa Fe, Rock Island, Frisco, Katy,
Kansas City Southern and the Rio
Grande, all have shown nearly 20 per
cent increases in net earnings per mile
over the five years previous, yet the
Missouri Pacific showed a decrease of
5 per cent. Its last dividend was in
stock in 1908.
Finances Reflect Condition.
The poor condition of the road also
is shown in the amounts per mile eX
pended for maintenance of way and
equipment in the past five years. the
other roads mentioned have averaged
81 169 per mile for maintenance of way
and $1,1S2 for equipment. The Missouri
Pacific's expenditures have been $1,O01
and 1884 respectively.
The result of these conditions has
been to put the property in bad physi-
cal condition. Its operating force is not
well organized. The traffic department
with a natural right to a large share
of business has been unable to compete
fairly in a strongly competitive terri
tory.
1t will require a great many millions
of dollars to put the property into the
physical condition which its geographi-
cal location and traffic conditions war
rant. The financial alliances recently
made by the Gould interests insure a
strong financial backing in the new re-
Mobilization scheme for the railroad.
With the financial means the Goulds
are now supposed to be able to draw
upon. the public and the railroad world
will be expecting better results from
the Missouri Pacific.
DEMAND FOR UPPERS NOW.
Decrease in Pullman Rates Meets
Encouragement.
Kansas City Mo- April 2O-The de-