The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-10-28
INTEREST To CITY
Topeka Watches Closely Rock
Islands Operation.
Will Phelps-DOdge interests
Remove Nudge?
DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS HERE
Reorganization Might Disturb
Operating Plan.
Local Railway Circles Look for
Little Change.
DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS HERE

ronalra is interested vitality in the
Associated Press dispatch from Ne"
Vo,,~ late Monday afternoon IN WHICH
:. nos stated that the future control OF
+ho poclx island Lines would go into
+bo hands of the Phelps-Dodge inter
ests owners of the Ell Paso South-
western railway. The extent ot -
change in the personnel OF the INoeh
island and the effect On the operatlns NC
partment and the sec0na o.s'. abo,,t an
quarters in Topeka brings apout
,r,SuaI interest in the financing OF TINS
big railway system
The dispatches from New YORK std.G
that the Phelps-Dodge hoIolnss WIN
dominate the Rock Island after tne
meeting of the board of directors TO-
morrow That the recent weakness Oh
Rock Island issues and the Chlcago,
Rock Island & Pacific railway collateral
trust bonds has given rise TO the
change That Judge William H MOORE
chairman of the executive committee
will retire in favor Of Arthur c. James,
vice president of the Ell Paso & South
western and a director of the Rock
Island That the Reid-Moore interests
will not retire altogether from the
roads mana gement-only retire from
authority.
Here is where Topeka receives her
connection with the new financial move:
The second district headquarters of
the Rock Island Lines are located in
this city. Will the new Phelps-Dodge
interests allow H. Z. Nudge, president,
to remain at the head of operation and
carry out his district plan? 1t is be-
lieVed in Topeka railway circles that
President Nudge is too valuable an of
fetal to be superseded. 1t is predicted
that the Phelps-Dodge interests will
retain the man who has built up the
immense property of the Rock Island.
If this is the case the second dis
trict headquarters and the general dis
trict organization undoubtedly will re-
main untouched. Otherwise there is
danger that a reorganization will fol-
low.
Popular Western Plan.
The district control plan now followed
by the Rock Island is the popular oper-
ating control in the west Western rail
roads are Sprawled out over thousands of
troll has been found faulty With a d.
vision of the road into districts with the
of his operating realm, success in econ.
ouy and maintenance has been the result
bRe atstFl96 sfs Is n al Rda the
Island. Santa Fee Milwaukee, Burlington
roads.
The dispatches from New York have
hinted nothing of change in operating
control 1t has also been given out that
no new financing has been contemplated
before the first of the year. 1t is limited
III Adil"dN CICAeS III Topeka also Indt
President Nudge has five-year contract |
with the road for its presidency and no
effort will be made by the Ell PaSo &
Southwestern interests to arbrogate this |
agreement. President Nudge is too val
liable a man, it is said. to leave the Rock |
Island Trained in the service of the |
Santa Fe, a close competitor of the Rock |
Island Nudge is the logical man to build |
the line to the coast. 'i-
The Rock Island and FL Paso' & South !
western have been closely associated for /
some time. The Rock Island has used /
the E. p & s. w tracks. Tecumcari, n. |
NJ, to Ell PasO, for many years. Recently |
an extension to Tucson has increased the |
connection and taken away from the |
Southern Pacific this haul.
The Phelps-Dodge interests operate the |
Ell Paso & Southwestern railway, a road |
of nearly 1000 miles in length. 1t Is a rich !
company with tracks and equipment in |
the best of shape The backing is sup
ported by millions and rehabilitation of |
Rock Island property would undoubtedly |
be the result.