The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-07-01
James J. Hill, Pioneer Railroad Builder of the
Northwest, Retires From Active Work Today

Tho retirement Of James j. Hill
from his position as chairman of the
board Of directors of the Great North
ern railway. which becomes effective
today, was officially announced from
the offices of the company Saturday
afternoon. The resignation of Mr..
Hill was presented to the board Of
| directors June and unofficial reports
of the change were circulated at the
| time. but Saturday the statement
with which Mr.. Hill accompanies his
resignation was made public AS re-
ported unofncially some weeks ago,
Louis w. Hill. who was recently sue
Of the Great Northern, will succeed
his father as chairman Of the board
Of directors. James ]. Hill will re-
main a member of the executive COM
mittee.o the board.
Ends Thirty-th Years Service
With his retirement today Mr..
Hill has completed thirty three
years Of active railroading in the
northwest, beginning with his pur-
chase OF an interest in the st. Paul &
Pacific, of which he was then made
general manager, to the time of his
resignation from the office which he
has held for five years since he re-
signed the presidency Of the Great
Northern road. His statement to the
board Of directors gives concise his
tory of the development Of the sys-
TEN, the purchase Of the st. Paul &
Pacific when the Dutch owners were
Of the main line to the coast and of
branch lines into all parts Of the
northwest. the purchase of interests
in the Chicago. Burlington & Quincy
and the Colorado and Southern and
brief history of the financing Of these
projects. He merely touches upon the
development Of the country which has
followed, the DEVELOPMENT Of the rail-
road system and in closing expresses
the belief that the company is so safe
guarded against the future that 1t can
weather any ordinary storm and that
its continued prosperity and useful
ness Is assured.
Mr.. Hills Statement.
Mr.. Hills statement in full is as
follows:
with the resignation today of the
Craftsmanship Of the board Of direc-
tors ends my active official partici-
patton in the conduct Of the Great
Northern Railway company. The
work begun nearly forty years ago
has been substantially accomplished:
though its results have been extended
far beyond the foresight Of any. one
at that time. I hope that have
cdIuSu Iuo lClSuIo WulCIl 0N0Iy H1du
looks for who has borne the burden
and heat of life's day. The property
whose fortunes have directed for
so many years has become an organic
growth. It's future will be shaped
more by the forces that govern the
development Of the natural resources
Of the country than by individual in
itiative. The present is a favorable
time for making the change from an
active part in the affairs Of the COM
pany. will remain a member Of the
executive committee Of the board.
and any services It may need from
me will always be at its command.
But It seems wise to begin the proc
ess Of adjustment to other hands at
this time. when all the outlook is
fair and every change may be weigh
ed with deliberation in the light Of
what is for the best interest Of the
property. My natural regret in relax
ing the closeness Of a relation cover
ing the lifetime Of q generation and
closely interwovsn with my own is|
relieved by the knowledee that the
property remains in competent and
able hands. and 10 20 we'll fortified