New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-11-19
Twelve Years with Central.

Twelve Years with Central.
81 have been in railroad service con-
tinuously for more than forty-four years
twelve years Of this service with the
New York Central lines. five years in
charge Of the operation and maintenance
Of the property. two years as senior vice
president and five years as president-and
feel that I have earned that freedom from
care. hard work and responsibility which
can only be secured by retiring from &C
tive service.
"In addition TO my desire TO be relieved
Of the burden and responsibility or my
position, I am admonished by my falling
hearing that cannot without serious en-
barrassment continue TO perform the
duties Of the position, either IN the board
room or IN frequent important confer
ences in which I must necessarily par
ticipate.
For these reasons beg to very re-
spectfully tender my resignation as presi-
dent, effective January /. 1914.
"In leaving the service l desire to ex-
press my sincere and grateful appreci-
alton Of the cordial cooperation which has
always been extended TO me by this board
and Of the loyal. intelligent and efficient
support and assistance rendered by all the
officers Of the company"
In view Of the huge financial problems
that face the New York Central lines In
the next few years 1t is believed that
President Brown felt his physical in
ability TO cope with them. and, bearing
In mind the unpopularity which befell
Charles S. Mellen, OF the New Haven
road. when things did not turn out wen.
he decided that there was no time like
the present 20 shift responsibility onto
the shoulders OF younger men.
According to ]. P, Morgan. whose firm
has been the roads bankers for years, the
Central will need to spend about s255 900 900
in the next ten years, and the Lake
Shore at least 100000. Dispute has
already arisen over the consolidation OF
the Central and Lake Shore properties
and the Senate has ordered an inquiry
The Interstate Commerce Commission
began its investigation last spring.
The late f. n. Hartman predicted that
President Brown would make his reputa-
ton on the reconstruction Of the New
York Central and the great terminal i'm
provements Friends Of the retiring presi-
dent say that Mr.. Harriman's predictions
have been fulfilled. The complexities OF
governmental control are sure TO increase
In coming years. and for that reason Mr..
Brown preferred 20 rest on his laurels.
Started Career ss Section Hand.
President Brown was born July %. 1853,
In Norway, Herkimer County. the son of
the Rev. Charles e. Brown, a Baptist
clergyman. He was only sixteen years
old when he hired out as a section hand
at Thompson, H., on the Chicago. Mil
waukee g. ST Paul He learned telegraphy
and became a trusted operator and train
dispatcher for the Illinois Central at
Waterloo. III.
In 1875 he went to the Chicago, Burllng-
ton & Quincy. and in a year was superin-
tendent Of the Iowa lines OF the Burling
ton. In 1890 he was made general man
ager OF the Missouri lines, with headquar-
ters in ST. Joseph.
In 1902 he was made vice-president OF
the New York Central. and had charge Of
operation and maintenance for six years,
when he became senior vice-president. In
February OF 1909 he was elected president
In the twelve years of his presidency
the road and its lines have grown at a
greater rate than for any previous period
The gross revenue increased from
1859. 10000 10 s3l0.2O0,0Oo. Freight tonnage
went from l22. O07, 800 to 90, 97e, 500 Passen-
ger traffic increased from 654l1,70O to
s.. 420.o 900. and average freight train loads
indicated an increase OF about 90 per
cent
Smith Probable Successor.
Alfred II. Smith. President Browns
probable successor, came to the New
York Central from the Lake Shore in
1902 In 1906 he was made vice-president
of the lines east of Buffalo and one year
later was indicted and tried for man
slaughter in connection with the wreck
that caused twenty-four deaths on Febru-
airy 16. 1907. Justice kellogg, in the Crimi-
nal branch Of the Supreme Court, directed
the Jury to bring In verdict for acqulttal
on December II. 1907. on the ground that
the evidence was insufficient.
Mr. Smith began as a messenger boy
for the Lake Shore G. Michigan Southern
In Cleveland He worked his way up to
general foreman OF construction work
west of Toledo. In 1890 he became super
intendent of the Kalamazoo Division. In
1901 he was appointed assistant general
superintendent OF the Lake Shore, and
then general superintendent after which
he was transferred TO the New YORK
Central. in 1902.
In 1903 he was made general manager
and in 1906 he was elected vice-president
and general manager. His appointment
in March as senior vice-president ex-
tended his jurisdiction over all the roads
OF the New York Central lines. and over
all their departments. He is in his forty
ninth year.
Mr. Brown intimated his intention of
retiring as much as three years ago. In