Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-11-04

Charles o. Kruger, president of the
! Rapid Transit Company since 1909 and
| general manager of the company until
that year since its formation, dropped
dead at the Racquet Club. 18th street
| below Walnut street, shortly after 2
! o'clock this afternoon.
Mr.. Kruger was watching a game of
| billiards between Ellis Ames Ballard and
Mahlon II. Kline when, without warn
! ing, he collapsed. DIR. Charles ii. Weber,
! of 204S Pine street, and another ply
sician, who happened to be in the club,
were summoned. They pronounced him
dead and said that death had been due
| to heart trouble
| Vice President Hamilton. OF the p.
| r. T., left the executive offices of the
| company in the Land Title Building with
| Mr. kruger and another official of the
company shortly after noon today. At
that time, according to Mr.. Hamilton,
Mr.. Kruger appeared to be in the best
| of health.
COLLEAGUES HURRY TO CLUB.
Mr. Kruger took lunch at the Racquet
Club and then walked into the billiard
room. After his death a telephone mes
sage was sent to the executive offices OF
the company. All the officials hurried
over TO the Racquet Club. Mrs. Kruger
also was notified
Mr.. Kruger had been Identified with
traction interests I'm Philadelphia for the
last "a years His rise In that time was
exceptionally rapid. his first post being
secretary and treasurer of the Penn Traf-
fic Company Since that time he has
always been active in transit affairs.
In both big trolley strikes in this city
Mr.. Kruger shouldered severe criticism.
Because of this 1t was rumOred that
he would be dropped at the time. Several
years ago the Philadelphia Rapid Transit
hah hi fHaH HaH Hha
Stotesbury-M -Mitten plan to put the COM
pany on its feet The rumors came to
nothing. however, and Mr.. Kruger was
retained in the office of president
Mr.. Kruger Is survived by Mrs. Kruger
and their three children, Charles K
Kruger and the Misses Helen and Eliza
beth Kruger. His home is at Abingdon,
Montgomery County.
Mr. Kruger was born in this city De-
cember II, 1864. and received his educa-
tion in the public schools OF this city.
After working one year with a banking
firm he became secretary of an electric
lighting company then known as the
Electric Trust, being a consolidation OF
all the arc light companies.
RAPID RISE IN TRACTION AFFAIRS.
He remained at this work until 1885,
when he was made secretary and treas
urer Of the Penn Traffic Company, a cor
poration connected with the Cambria
Steel Company. Eight years later he
became secretary and treasurer of the
Peoples Traction Company
Since that time the rise Of Mr.. Kruger
IN transit affairs OF this city has been
rapid, and he has been looked upon as
one Of the most able men Ia this line
in the country.
In 1895 he became secretary and treas
urer of the Union Traction Company.
and three years later he was made see
ond vice president and assistant gem
eral manager
Later he became vice president ana
general manager When the PHILADELPHIA
Rapid Transit Company absorbed tha
Union Traction Company. in 1863. he vas
made secretary, and continued Ia that
ofiies until things we're running smoothly.
shortly after Mr. Kruger vas elected
vice president ana general manager. ia
10 he vas made PRESIDENT