The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-12-20
JOB FOR .kANSANS
Responsible Promotions for
Rock Island officials.
Lineup for General Manager
ships Is known in Topeka.

Three Kansans. one q former Tope-
kan, all well known in railway circles
in this city, have been included IN the
shakeup in the Rock Island operating
department following the resignation
of W. NJ. Whitenton as general manager
of the first district of the road with
headquarters in pes Moines. The ru-
mors, we'll founded. in Topeka TO-DAY
indicate that T. H. Beacon. formerly
superintendent of the Kansas division
now assistant general manager at Des
Mcines, will become general manager OF
the third district at Fort Worth. Z.
w. Jones, now general manager at Fort
Worth and F. J. Easley, assistant gen
eral manager of the sarne district. will
be transferred to the first district at
Des Moines George w. Rourke, it is
predicted, will be made assistant gen
eral manager Of the third district under
Beacon. Rourke is now superintendent
at Rock Island.
manager to the first district, is a for
mer Topekan. He was in the general
offices here as general superintendent
In 1909. Later he was sent to Daven-
port as general superintendent of the
fret district. In February, 1911. he was
appointed general manager of the third
district at Fort Worth.
T. II. Beacon II an old Milwaukee
man. Before coming to the Rock Island
he was trainrnaster for the Chicago.
Milwaukee q st. Paul. He has been
superintendent Of the Kansas. Okiaho-
ma. Panhandle. st. Louis and Mis-
souri, divisions. When superintendent
OF the Kansas division his headquarters
were at Herington and his superior Of
f1cers were located In Topeka. He en-
tered the service of the Rock Island in
1902
Following the probable appointment
OF G. w. Rourke as assistant general
manager-and this is only a guess
among railroad men today shift
Will be made on several divisions, II
Is predicted. The Rock Island has
several division superintendents in line
Tor the assistant general managership
When superintendent Of the Kansas
division. Rourke's headquarters were
at Harrington.
The new arrangement will not dis
turb the efficient and most satisfac-
tory star organization of the second
district with headquarters in. Topeka.
1t was believed in railway circles for
some time that J. B. Smalley assist
ant general manager at Topeka, would
be made general manager following
the resignation of Whitenton. If this
was done. however, the entire district
organization Of the road, including the
general offices at Topeka, Des Moines
and Fort Worth, would be disturbed
and in way disorganized by the
shakeup. By shifting the officials OF
only the first and third districts, the
important second district is left in
tact.
Nothing is known of the future
course to be taken by w. NJ. Written
ton. His reason for resignation is still
mystery-at least it is a mystery as
far as the layman's information ii
concerned. Whitenton. it is said, haa
been offered positions with three Other
railroads. Undoubtedly, on account OF
the reports coming from Des Moines
throu- h the press, Whitenton was moi
working in exact harmony with the
executive officers Of the Rock Island
This IL all railway gossip, however, and
Is not confirmed.
The new appointments are expected
the first Of next week. The officials
will be named by President Nudge
and Vice President Ridgway.