The Washington herald., 1918-06-17
ELLIOTT MAY
BECOME HEAD
OF new HAVEN
Holland Says Directors Plan
Electing Him
Again.

OAACSNOA NChCEdl 0lC<AuOOs hdNAhe .
named A H. Smith as regional di-
rector Of q considerable part OF
the country through which the rail-
road trunk lines pass, has now fol-
lowed that action by naming E j
Pearson the Federal manager of the
region occupied by the New Haven
railroad system. Appointments oi
this kind have entailed the resig-
nation of President Smith from the
New York Central and allied COM
panies. and President Pearson from
the New Haven company.
1t Is an interesting fact that
shortly after Howard Elliott be-
came president of the New Haven
company as a successor of Presi-
dent c. s. Mellen, he was forced
by the certainty that the Depart
ment of Justice would begin pro-
ceedings with intent to tear the
New Haven system to pieces. to see
the Attorney General in order that
he might learn whether IL would be
possible to reach some compromise
whereby litigation could be prevent
ed and much of the New Haven sys-
tenn at the same time be preserved
The Attorney General made a
proposition which was accepted by
President Elliott, which involved
the taking away from the New
Haven of some of its properties
but 1t was allowed to retain other
subsidiary properties. This was the
first important step taken by Mr.
Elliott after he became president
Of the New Haven, having resigned
the presidency OF the Northern Pa
cific Railroad Company, in the hope
that he might be able to do some
thing whereby the inherent values
in the New Haven property could
be nourished. and in due time this
great system be brought back to
its former prosperity.
Mr.. Elliott was brought into the
service Of the government immedi-
ately after the United States entered
into war with Germany. He was one
Of the five members OF the so-called
railroad war board. The services of
this voluntary and unpaid body were
OF far greater value to the government
than the public has ever realized. 1t
did as much as possible to bring about
coordination and cooperation among
American railroads, and it was able
to do this because it had the sup
port of the government and because
the board was made up of as able a
group of railroad men as ever gather
ed around a table.
This government work. combined
with ardous. often irritating and pro-
tracted labor which was necessary in
order again to put the New Haven
property upon its feet involved per-
sonal sacrifices, so that at last, in
order to maintain his health, Mr.. Ell
nott was forced to resign the presi-
dency OF the New Haven road
Great Work Well Done.
Mr.. Pearson succeeded Mr.. Elliott
in the presidency of the New Haven
a little over a year ago. Already the
evidences have been many that this
great property is beginning to feel
the healthful influences which were
infused into the operating methods
OF the road by President Elliott and
were carried on by President Pear
son. In fact, it was due to the ex-
cellent condition and the remarkably
good operating methods which now
characterize the New Haven system,
that Director General McAdoo was
Persuaded to name Mr.. Person the
Federal manager OF the system.
Again In the Northwest.
Mr.. Elliott was speedily recalled to
important executive association with
the Northern Pacific Railroad Com
pany. He was named chairman of the
executive board. He is now busily
occupied with the working out OF
plans which when completed will serve
greatly to increase the prosperity OF
the Northern Pacific system. 1t is
surrnised that some part of Mr.. Eli
otis plans refer to the agricultural
and industrial development of the vast
region which the Northern Pacific
bisects.
That Is a subject which interested
him in all the years he served as
president of the Northern Pacific. He
visited many parts of the country
which the Northern Pacific serves. He
made numerous addresses to farmers.
supplementing in that way the appeals
which James J. Hill frequently made
to the farmers who were pioneers
along the line of the Great Northern
Railroad.
Mr.. Elliott believed that it was pos,
sible by means of improved farming
facilities and better methods of farm
Ing. to bring about a great increase in
the number of acres planted in food
grains and a much greater number Of
bushels harvested. Recent report:
from that part of the country through
which the Northern Pacific passes
Justify the belief that many OF She
farmers I'm that vicinity learned vel
the lesson which Mr.. Elliott taught
How Mr. Elliott Is Esteemed.
As soon as the announcement came
from Washington that Director Gen.
eral McAdoo had named PresIdent
Pearson as the Federal manager ol
that system to be exclusively occupied
with the operation of IL. some of tn.
directors of the New Haven Company
exchanged views ore with another
asking II II would not be possible
again to bring Mr.. Elliott to the
presidency Of the New Haven system
In case he were again to becom,
the titular head of the New HaveI
system, he would be relieved of many
ot the burdens which were upon him
turing his four years as president
He would be occupied solely in look
ing after the interests of the stock.
holders and initiating policies which
would serve to increase the prosperity
this railroad, which at one tint
seemed on the verge of bankruptcy
now beginning to enjoy.
But IL Is very doubtful whether II
would be practicable to bring Mr.
Elliott into this renewed association
II the New Haven. He has accepted
important responsibilities which re.
Ter TO the welfare Of the Northern