The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1916-06-02
Turned Empire Builder.

| the railSide.
Turned Empire Builder.
With the line to Pudget Sound once
laid, he turned empire builder. He
introduced the livestock industry into
vast areas of bunch-grass plains, and
developed them by importing blooded
stock; he sent demonstration trains
through the country with men who
| showed the people how to raise more
wheat to the acre: he made an outlet
for the grain by establishing cheap
rate by rail and steamship to Buffalo
where he built great elevators; in
fact for upwards of 20 years he left
nothing in his power undone to de-
yelop the country where he had staked
ont his claim as the great common
carrier.
But ct the Pacific tidewater he was
not satisfied, for he saw in the Orient
still further opportunities. He or
ganized a fleet of Pacific steamships
for the commercial invasion of Japan
and China. Japan at the time want
ed steel rails, but proposed getting
them from England, as the rates
were less. 1t is related that when
John W. Gates, the steel magnate OF
Chicago, came to Hill with the propos-
ltion of getting American rail to
Japan, the latter replied:
81 will make you a rate OF SS
ton from Chicago or Pittsburg to
Yokohama. If that is too much
will carry it for the axle grease used
on the locomotives and freight cars;
and if you can't stand that, 1 will
carry your freight for nothing.
AT the SS rate named, the Amerl-
can manufacturer was enabled to
! secure the Japanese contract.
,, American Grain to the Orient.
The same, tactics were adopted in
getting American wheat and -four in
to Japan and China, where rice was
the staple food,
His faith in the Far West was re
warded as literally as that in the
Northwest. 1t is estimated that the
Pacific feet now carries nearly $5o,-
100000 worth OF products to the Orient
every year.
While Mr.. Hill built up for himself
and hiszassociates an immense fort
une, lie also helped to create for the
settle. along his line wealth OF
over ..ya billion dollars in real proper
tv. which is represented by the value
of the 100000 farms and their 69,ooO'-
600 acres of improved land.
Upon his retirement, at So, the
"streak of rust" he had bought 80
years had expanded to more than
6 600 miles and it was earning gross
profits of more than $66,OOO,O00 year,
and carrying 100000 tons of freight
annually. He still retained a hand IN
the Great Northern's policy as chair
! man of the hoard of directors, while
his son Louis, who had worked up
from the humblest position OF his
fathers railroad, became president.
The secret of the Hill success was
no secret at all, according to Mr.. HILL
and he had no new recipes to offer.
."The man with the big opportunity
today. he said, "is the man in the
ranks. But the secret of failure ne
frequently declared to be extraYa-
gance. He regarded this as a IA
tional tendency, against which ne
strongly set himself, particularly as
concerned the natural resources.
Attended to Details.
During his active supervision OF the
Great Northern system, Mr.. Hill over
saw almost every detail, to the wonder
of all employees with whom he came
in contact. Patrons Of his lines nave
liked end disliked him in rapid after
nation. for it was his point, to nave
his way. not only where his ROAD
should run, but where his patrons
should settle. This was part OF MS.
economic policy He carried out
singular regularity in the location OF
branch lines, giving a minimum OF
short lines on which light trains
were unavoidable. The prlncipal
text Of his railway gospel was low
grades, heavy power, large capacity
cars and big train loads on his NAN
lines. and he began to preach this at
time when these things were held
as visionary by most railway men,
In contact with the late E. H. Har-
riman who outdid him in the extent
Of railway ownership, Mr.. Hill was not
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