The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-10-22
MUD6E GIVES I HIM CREDIT
Rock Island President Says
Robinson Trained Him.
Brilliant Speeches to $50 OFF,
GERS at Elks Club.

QcR8 6uQ OlQ HUNT lu Cc1cOIALlOu VI
the SEVENTEEN birthday Of that grand
old man. A. A. Robinson. The ex-
ecutive heads Of three of the largest
western railroads and enough railway
ability to equip the general offices of
any carrier corporation in the world.
were included in this noted guest list.
At the close of the progFaEas- Mr. Rob-
insOn, former general manager and vice
president of the Santa Fe and president
of the Mexican Central. arose in his
seat and in a voice, visibly affected by
the honors rendered him. said:
This Is the greatest pleasure OF my
life.''
One hundred and fifty railway men
sat down to the banquet tables and
listened to the program arranged by
several Of the general officers in To-
peka. The sidetracks at the local rail-
way stations were filled with private
cars. Lines operated from the Great
Lakes to the Gulf and on to the Pacific
coast were represented in full. Greet
ings were received from railway Of
fetal on roads covering large portion
of the United States.
The keynote of the evening was
struck when President Ripley of the
Santa Fe said:
1T should be our only hope that when
we reach the age of Mr.. Robinson. we
are still equipped with as much energy,
as much honor, as much respect and
carry with us the friendship and love
of our employees and employers"
Before him throughout that banquet
hall, A. A. Robinson witnessed during
the evening. railway men of high rank.
railway men of national and interna-
tional reputation and many Of whom
were trained and built up through his
influence.
AS H. U. Nudge. president of the
Rock Island Lines. said:
II give to Mr.. Robinson what credit
there may be for my success in the rail-
way world"
A proud family of a proud man, to be
sure.
A Harvey House Product.
The banquet, served by A B. c.
butcher manager of the Topeka Har-
vey house. was one of the finest that
has been served in the city The serv-
ice was efficient, the menu was carried
out to the last French letter and every
convenience was provided for the
guests. Music was furnished by Ray
Halls orchestra. and the hall, stairways,
reception parlors and stage were dec
Grated lavishly and with exceptional
taste by the Lord establishment. The
programs, gems of the print shop, were
contributed by Jones & Birch and the
Hall Lithographing company. The
Elks turned over their building in COM
pliment to the visiting railway officers
Upon the bare announcement of these
favOrs after the banquet, the $50 rail-
way men applauded the spirit of To-
peka.
During the dinner E L. Copeland, sec
rotary and treasurer of the Santa Fe,
and POSTMASTER Of the ceremonies,
read numerous kilograms from friends
and admirers of A. A. Robinson from
all parts Of the United States. Each
telegram expressed the most sincere re-
gret that the writer was unable to at
tend. They came from men prominent
in tho business in railway world.
They were couched in the warmest
terms concerning Mr. Robinson's ami
versary and his reputation as a man of
influence and man of many friends.
One came from the Pacific coast from
General Manager Wells, another from
the president of the Chicago North
western railway. Still another from
the south. ---r-47. f-~i..
From Mr.. Gage.
Here is a type-a word from Norris
L. Gage donor of Gage park Topeka,
and we'll known in the west:
zone feature above all others dis
tinguished Mr.. Robinson's career with
the railroad. He made 1t a rule not to
he violated that neither he nor any of
his assistants should receive valuable
presents from contractors or take ad-
extensions Of the road for the purpose
of speculation in lands or town
lots. He considered that the COM
.pany paid them for their services and
that the practices mentioned would
warp their judgment and result in in
jury to their employers, the stockhold-
ers 4 -
LAS chief engineer he constructed the
greater part of the system as it now
exists. spending many millions Of dol
lars without profit to himself except his
very modest salary. But his worth was
ultimately recognized by his employers
and he came to his own.
II regret that impaired health and
absence from Topeka will prevent my
attendance at the banquet in honor OF
Mr. Robinson"
Charles Gleed's Address.
Following a most heartily applaude6
solo by Darwin Bradley. Toastmaste1
Copeland in few witty remarks or
c. s. Gleed's newspaper career in To
peka, introduced the latter who spoke
on the subject. ARMS and the Man.
Mr. Robinson in his work with the
Santa Fe was armed with heart ant
strict honesty" he said. Honestly
when he goes to heaven I'll venture t.
say that he will investigate immediate
ly to see if the golden slabs are up t.
specifications. Mr. Robinson is a mar
of taste. refinement culture and eff
ficiency."
storey's Eloquent Speech.
The result OF the early work on thu
Santa Fe by Mr.. Robinson were
brought out in an eloquent speech b,
w. b. Storey. jr.. vice president of thu
Santa Fe.
.'He made no mistakes in laying ou
the Santa Fe." he said. 1--WE hav,
gone over the road hundreds of time
and we find nothing to criticise. TIL,
map OF the Santa Fe today is prac
tically as Mr.. Robinson left it. Hi
pathway will remain as long as tn,
country endures. Posterity may for
get who built the Santa Fee but moth
ing will wipe out the wise tudgmen
OF our guest OF honor tonight
KOOntx ON Comparisons,