Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1916-03-02
THE SANTA FE FOLKS

| HE 1ANIh GIA IOLho
The Santa Fe is one road without
any "brass collars" That phrase was
coined years ago when railroad Of
ficials thought it necessary to show
their Importance with a lot of dig
nifty and red tape. It's result was
to make the average citizen-on-foot
weary. But the Santa Fe never was
built on that plan and one of the
reasons why It is so popular in It's
territory is that its officials look
upon the road as a trust, held for
the good service of the public. The
humblest patron receives courteous
attention and the development and
convenience of its territory are ap-
parently first in the friendly con-
sideration of its management.
The committee of Abilene men
who went to Topeka to look into the
new depot matter and other things
in which the town is interested
picked a legal holiday for their own
convenience. The Santa Fe officials
promptly replied that they would
be glad to see their visitors. They
were there on the minute and it re-
CURED no more ceremony to enter
the general managers room than it
does to get into the Abilene city
hall-just open the door and walk
in. Outside the colored man who
ran the elevator not an employee
was in uniform. The biggest bust
ness in Kansas is run with less fuss
than is many dollar-a-day hotel.
c. w. Kouns, general manager,
is no pampered pet of fortune. He
came up from the ranks and was
station clerk away back in the '70's.
He said he used to knsw d. r. Cor
den as U. P. station agent at Abb
lene. He is a typical American bust
ness man and could sit for a maya
zine picture to represent efficiency
in America. Clear-eyed, quick-think-
ing, prompt in decision, he has for
years presided over one of the roads
great departments. He travels 1000
to 5000 miles a month up and down
the road, looking after its general
conditions and receiving reports.
Eve have lost 1000 freight cars
down east" said he. 1.-THE difficulty
of getting ships has congested ev-
cry seaport and the cars are stand
ing somewhere on terminal tracks
loaded. We are struggling to move
grain and do much wasteful hauling
of empty cars to help out the ele-
so far without much
trouble" Ed Raymond, general SUI
perintendent, was also on hand.
We'll" said Mr.. Geoffroy, presi-
dent of the Booster club, while the
other members, c. A. Case, C. w.
Brooks. w. A. Matteson and C. NJ.
larger, back him up, abilene wants
/ new depot. We have had the old
'ne since 1887 and it is too small,
shabby and no credit to a road that
yets the enormous business Abilene
yives the Santa Fe." He laid on the
able a statement showing the bust
less Of the past year.
Il thought that was why you
we're coming-that and two or three
'ther things" interrupted Mr..
kouns. He was too good a business
nan to state the other things. II
abilene couldn't think of them far
10 1t from him to suggest matters
o worry about. $50 l have all the
acts" and he turned to a book that
bowed the business at Abilene for
0 years. You deserve the depot
re have realized it for years and
Tant to build it. But there are some
hings a road must dove must
eep up tracks and bridges and
rains first. With what money we
ave left we can do the other things
new depots, double tracking. etc.
his year brings heavy expenses for
ridges and tracks damaged by
Ioods. About 20 miles Of track were !
Iashed out in California; bridges
ave been damaged in other sec
ons. These must be repaired"
hat looked reasonable to the COM
littee.
Then there are special condi- a
nne ~ ba mot Tor frst,,ca Nvr ,