Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-07-01
TOLD HE IS DONE
AFTER so YEARS
G. H. Murray, With United
States Express Company,
Half Century, Loses Job.
OLD-TIMERS ARE OUT
Demand for Younger Men Results In
Discarding of Those Spending
Lives With Concern.

| Chicago, July IA gray haired man
turned a key in the lock of door at
go West Washington street yesterday,
! lust as the sun was sinking behind the
tall buildings to the west.
With him were several others, their
shoulders bent through long years at
desks. They looked into the Offices of
the United States Express company
and saw for the last time the heavy
safe, the long counter and the empty
desks which had been a part of theE
lives for many years.
What shall do tomorrow"
Charles H. Murray, who had been
with the company for "a years, turned
to w H. Wolf, of 4S years service, and
with hint of tears in his voice asked
the question. 1t was one many old
men have faced in recent years.
"TeII Him He's Through"
Tell him he's through"
The four-word telegram was handed
to Murray yesterday from the genaral
office and wrecked the hopes that he
might be retained a few months more
until the affairs of the express com
pany were wound up. Murray is only
one of 70 employees of the comapny
who have been unable to find employ
uent with other express companies
which took over the business of the
United States company.
About a dozen of the old-timers are
retained by the company until liquida'
ton has been completed.
THAT means a couple of months,
Dut then what?" asked Mr.. Wolf. who
has been As years in the company's
service, and who has spent part of his
salary during the past Is years for
medical treatments by which he hopes
to recover from the effects of injuries
suffered in a train wreck. He was an
express messenger when the accident
happened.
Demand for Younger Men.
H. NJ. Grimes, who gave 40 years to
the commpany and who yesterday was
a routing clerk, is today wondering
whether gray hairs are too much of a
handicap to obtain another job. He
found it so with the express compan-
les. All wanted younger men.
The United States Express company
yesterday had saJkoGsyt 500 employees in
Chicago. The Amef1cSan, the Adams
and the Wells Fargo eonkanies, which
took over its contracts, found room Or
about 700 of it's men.
But the veterans who had given their !
best years to the company's service |
could not qualify with the other COM
panies. The dangers encountered from |
robbers, Indians and train wrecks dur
ing their long service had Slapped their |
weakened their nerves and |
prevented their competing with young |
er men in getting express business.
Officials Find Berths.
Outside of superintendent Taylor.
each of the officials of the retiring
company has obtained a place with |
another company.
d. H. Rawson. general manager; A.
w. Hayes, assistant general manager;
F. S. Buckmaster, assistant general
agent; j. S. Smith, cashier and w M
Anderson, superintendent of wagons,
will all go to the Wells Fargo company
A Hamlin, general agent, will be
associated with the American Express
company.
The company began business before
he civil war. Liquidation was decided
upon about six months ago and the 1
inal chapter in its history was entered
Upon last night.