New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-11-14
M'CREA QUITS PENNSY
FOR HEALTH'S SAKE
Railroad President, Warned by
Doctors, Resigns and Samuel
Rea Succeeds Him.
JOB "A KILLING ONE"
Four Predecessors Have Died in
Office-New Head Succeeds
Clement A. Griscom on
Board of Directors.
[BN Telegraph to The Tribune !

lb! Telegraph to The Tribune.
Philadelphia, Nov. 13.-James McCrea
resigned to-day as president of the PENN
sylvania Railroad Company He will
leave office on January /. 1913.
samuel Rea, vice-president was elected
president Of the company by the board of
directors Immediately after the resigna-
ton was accepted. Mr.. Rea also was
chosen a member Of the board Of di-
rectors to nil the vacancy caused by the
death of Clement A. Griscom.
Mr.. McCrea resigned because he would
rather be a live citizen than a dead rail-
road president Only last week he made
up his mind that he must step out This
resolution came following a visit made
by him TO his physician, who informed
him that he must relinquish his business
cares Immediately or his life would be
shortened by many years
The resignation OF Mr.. McCrea came as
complete surprise. Only TO his most
intimate friends had ne confided the news
OF his visit TO his physician and the re-
suit. The death of Clement A. Griscom
also helped Mr.. McCrea to make up his
mind that he must relinquish oflce.
Question Of Life or Death.
The presidency Of the Pennsylvania
Railroad is killing job" said one
close 10 the Pennsylvania management.
"A. j. Cassatt lived six years after TAX
Ing 1t. Mr.. McCrea's doctors told him to
retire. He didn't want to. but the physi-
clans said he could chose between retire
ment and death. Then he decided 10
quit"
Members Of the Beard of Directors Of
the Pennsylvania Railroad knew OF the
forthcoming resignation but, 1t is said,
kept the matter to themselves, not wish
ing to combat certain influences which
opposed the election of Mr.. Rea six years
ago.
In the position which Mr.. McCrea will
relinquish on January four predecessors
died. They were Thomas Scott, George
b. Roberts, Frank Thomson and a. ].
Cassatt
The resignation OF Mr.. McCrea was pre-
sented to the Board of Directors in a
very short letter He wrote:
hereby tender my resignation as pres
January ], 1913.
This action is prompted by the consid-
GRAFTON that ] will very shortly reach the
age of siXty-fve years. forty-eight of
which have been practically devoted to
the service of the lines either directly or
subsequently embraced In the Pensyl-
yania System. 1t is almost unnecessary
to say that this service has meant unre-
hitting effort and now l feel / have
earned a rest and to be free TO dispose
Of my time in such a manner as may be
most agreeable to me and best conducive
TO my health.
II is not inappropriate TO state that
but two Of my predecessors were past my
present age, and that none OF them were
actively engaged In the service Of the
company for so long period.
In al these years of service | have been
favored with the confidence and fullest
support of those TO whom | was respon-
sible. while enjoying the complete CO.
operation Of my associates, and l have
found IL hard struggle 10 determine that
IL was best for me to be relieved OF the
burdensome responsibilities OF the posi-
ton l now occupy.