The San Francisco call., 1913-07-18
MISSOURI RIVER
To COAST OVER
ONE BIC SYSTEM
Bush Explains Plan of Uni
hcation of Union Pacific,
Missouri Pacific, w. P.
and L and r. @.

BENJAMIN Franklin Bush. selected by
Wall street to reorganize, unity and
preside over great transcontinental
railroad system. originally planned by
the Goulds to rival the Hartman sys-
tenn arrived in San Francisco yester-
dav from st. Louis.
The president OF two great railroads.
who today will be elected president Of
A third. made his entry upon the scene
where his latest activities will be con-
Quoted. accompanied by small bat
talon of lesser officers of the two
lines he already controls
BROWN HEADS CONTINGENT
Heading one contingent was f. L
Brown. vice president of the Denver
and Rio Grande who will be elected
TO Office today under Mr.. Bush as vice
president of the Western Pacific.
Heading another was ]. NJ. Johnson,
vice president of the Missouri Pacific
who will be elected director of traffic
of the Western Pacific
The two systems will be united and
viii have one policy and be under one
nagement
With Mr. Brown came F. l. Hughes,
general passenger agent. and w II.
sullivan, secretary TO the vice presi-
dent. all of the Denver and Rio Grande.
They are at the Palace.
With Mr.. johnson was c. I. Stone,
passenger traffic manager of the Mis-
souri, Pacific. They are at the st.
Francis.
TAKES COMMANDING POSITION
The president of two roads and presi-
dent elect of a third chose a command
ing position on Mob hill and is at the
Fairmont. With him are Alexander
Robertson, assistant to the president
of the Missouri Pacific. and A NJ. Green,
secretary to the president of the Mis-
souri, Pacific, the Denver and Rio
Grande and the president elect of the
Western Pacific.
There are three ladies in the party,
all at the Fairmont. They are Mrs.
Rush, Miss Idena Bush and Mrs. Robert
son. All came by special train from
Salt Lake City over the Western Pa
cilc, arriving during the afternoon.
though they were not expected until
tonight.
NR. BUSH Is RETICENT
Il really have nothing to say yet;
1 was never over the line before
and my plans are still informed said
Mr.. Bush to The Call.
II have not even been elected presi-
dent of the Western Pacific" he added.
But tomorrow ] viii be and then
viii he on the job.
Tomorrow Mr. Brown will be elected
vice president In charge OF construction
and he. too. viii be on the Job" said
Mr.. Bush. Mr.. Johnson will be named
director Of traffic and he will take
charge tomorrow also"
The appointment of Mr.. Johnson was
owed the appointments of others here
"Of course. we will make improve
ments; we viii try to work out the
plans originally contemplated for the
entire system: we Will make con-
tinuous road Of the w p. the d. and
r. G. and the NJ. P That is my idea in
general way. 1t has not yet taken
concrete form"
Asked about money TO be spent new
backing for the ". p. changes in the
local organization, Mr.. Bush answered:
STEAKS OF MONEY MARKET
In the present financial condition OF
the country il may not be wise TO spend
great deal OF money" he said; then
adding. 1T all dependsi"
San Francisco could depend upon
having good train service for the ex-
position. he said. He thought 1t pos
sible that passenger train equipment
might be decided upon during his pres
ent visit.
Mr.. Bush viii remain three weeks.
but Mr.. Brown VIII make his head
quarters here
The Western Pacific road is well
located and we'll constructed. and all
1t needs IS more business" concluded
Mr.. Bush.
In two years Mr.. Bush has rehabili-
tated the entire Missouri Pacific sys-
lit
.62,o00.000, an increase of sS.000,00o
over 1912 and OF s12.00Q,000 over its
highest record before he took charge
Of It,
Previously. while in control of the
Western Maryland. Mr.. Bush entirely
rehabilitated that property. which was
badly run down. and placed it on
sound footing.
His success with the Missouri Pacific
Iron Mountain resulted in his being
made president of the Denver and Rio
Grande January 4. 1872. The improve
ment in the roadbed, equipment and
business Of this road since he has been
in charge has been most marked.
Mr.. Bush is 53 years Of age and was
born in Wellsboro. Pa. He began his
railroad career in 1882 as rodman on
the Northern Pacific.
In 1887 he was division engineer in
Idaho and Oregon for the Union Pacific.
He left that position in 1889 TO become
chief engineer and general superin-
tendeut of the oregon Improvement
company.
His first connection with the Mis-
souri, Pacific was when he was ap-
pointed fuel agent for the company.
with headquarters in st. Louis, and
given jurisdiction over all the Gould
coal properties in the west and south
west. His work in that position led
to his selection in 1907 as president
OF the Western Maryland railroad
Mr.. Bush now controls railroad lines
from St Louis to San Francisco. from
St. Louis TO Alexander, La, and from
St Louis TO Texarkana, Tex. When the
Missouri Pacific takes over the Inter
national and Great Northern line to
give it an outlet to the gulf he will
control approximately $4,000 miles of
railroads, more than any other man in
this country.
In 1883 Mr.. Bush married Miss Cath
crime Idelia Hawkins of River Falls.
Wis. by whom he has one daughter,
Idelia Frances Bush, aged 2 years.
Shortens Pacific Route
OMAHA, Neb.. July 17-PresIdent
Mohler of the Union Pacific railroad
today made official announcement Of
the completion of the cutoff between
Topeka, Kan, and Gibbon, Neb.. which
will furnish a second route between
1