The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-13
NUDGE is HERE
President of Rock Island Lines
in Topeka Today.
Special Train of Five Cars With
Many Officers.
MUCH PROMISED FOR KANSAS
First 1OO-POund Rails in West
on Kansas Division.
Nudge Denies Num-
Der of Extension RumOrS.

In an interview this afternoon H.
Z. Nudge, president of the Rock Is
land Lines asserted that Kansas would
be in for a good share of the recently
prepared budget of the road for the
year 1912. Although the president did
not go into detail he said that the first
100 pound rails west of the Mississippi
would be laid by the Rock Island on
the Kansas division this spring. These
rails will be laid between Mcfarland
and Dwight, a distance of % miles.
1--WE will spend considerab bic money
in rebalIasting and in track improve
said. II believe the 100 pound rails
we will lay in Kansas viii be the first
ever laid by any road in the west. It
is the heaviest steel in Kansas
President Nudge and party came in
a special train, arriving in Topeka at
2:15 and leaving after about half an
hour visit here. The president is on
an official tour of the road and has
been. all over the southern lines He is
gong east and will arrive i'll Chicago
Thursday.
The president was in a pessimistic
mood despite his promises for improve
ments in Kansas When asked con-
corning business on the road, the Rock
Island head Strengthened to his full
height of six feet and few inches
and exploded:
When asked the reason, he said:
THE recent severe Wea+~ er has
tied up our business. The farmers
have not been able to get to the rail-
roads and for awhile the railroads
were unable to get to the farmers.
The lines have been blocked now and
then with snow and we have been
struggling at times to get our paSsen-
ger trains through on schedule time
And naturally the president admit
ted that anti-railroad legislation had
something to do with the earnings.
Makes Wholesale DeniaIs.
President Nudge also was in a de-
NAL frame of mind. He denied three
apparently well founded rumOrs right
in line-and he didn't bat an eye
while he was doing it.
What about the plans of the Rock
Island to extend a new line through
Missouri from the Kansas City-St
and thence to the Gulf?'' he was
asked.
There is nothing to it, the presi-
dent answered.
Rock Islands double track as far west
as Council Bluffs, IOwa?" came an
other question.
II have heard nothing about it,
came back the second answer.
and is there anything to the ru-
NOR that the Rock Island is going to
take over the right of way of the
Salina & Gulf, the north
and south road through Kansas ~ the
reporter asked meekly-
President Nudge smiled. And he
shook his head.
And who will be the successor to
the late E B. PIERCE, general solicitor
Of the road?''
Again President Nudge shook his
head.
Refused to Go Into Detail.
President Nudge would not go into de-
tail about the minor improvements in
Kansas or Topeka
THE officers have promised to turn the
budget over to me some time next week"
explained Mr.. Nudge. Il then will have
time to go into the improvements care
fully"
Among the officials who accompanied
President Nudge in the special train of
five cars were:
a. c. Ridgway, vice president in charge
Of operation; D. G. Reid. chairman of the |
board of directors; E. S. Moore, vice pres |
dent; Fl. Cover, freight traffic manager; |
J. F. German, first vice president; J. 3. I
Berry, chief engineer; A. E Sweet, gem /
sral manager, Topeka; J. B. Smalley, /
general superintendent, Topeka; J. NJ |
Brown, district engineer, Topeka