The sun., 1919-09-22
President shont,'s Unfinished work.

rfcStucut SUOUttS tuuufsneu hOfh.
When THEODORE Z. SHoNTs, who
died yesterday, became president of
the marlborough Rapid Transit Com
pany twelve years ago he had a ma
tional reputation as a railroad builder
and operator and constructor of
great engineering projects. President
ROOSEVELT had appointed him chair
man Of the commission which was
to build the Panama Canal, and he
had done a tremendous work for the
country on the isthmus. The men
who succeeded Mr.. SHoNTs and his
associates have always been careful
to give them the highest credit for
the great success they attained in a
highly complicated task, in the per-
Torrance of which they had to make
their own presidents and devise novel
methods to meet situations unlike any
men had ever successfully attacked
before.
1t was while Mr.. SHoNTs was in
Panama that he was invited to come
to New York and undertake the man.
agement of the corporation which
was to control the greatest urban rail-
way system in the greatest city in
the world. He showed his character
by refusing to consider the offer until
he was convinced his work in Panama
had reached stage in (Which he could
safely leave 1t to other hands. The
opportunity to increase his income did
| not cause him to quit the Government
until the Job he had begun for
it was well on its way toward COM
pletion. When he was satisfied that
the canal could be built he retired
and came to New York.
Here he tackled problem appalling
in its magnitude and complicated by
every conceivable political, financial
and social interest. The city was
strangling because of inadequate
transportation facilities. There was
a strong public feeling against the
corporations operating the then exist
ing lines. The financing Of new con-
! struction was the cause of bitter
quarrels. The intricate business of
moving New York's population from
one part of town to another was in
extricably mixed up with city and
State politics. The Job Mr.. SHoNTs
tackled was one that might have
shaken the spirit IF even the most
confident Of men.
1t did not shake Mr.. 7SHoNTs's
| spirit. He went at 1t with enthusiasm
and the determination to conquer all
the difficulties nature and man could
put in his way. He worked unre-
mittingly at construction, operation
and financing, and he worked toward
success. When the new subways were
laid out and the elevated railroads
rebuilt new day dawned for the
people of New YORK.
When the war began comprehensive
plans had been drawn and work was
In progress on new lines. The system
in use was being operated with a skill
that aroused the enthusiasm of au-
thorities on urban transportation. The
worldwide disturbance war created
was felt early In the New York
transportation field. In 1915 Its
effects were apparent. Construction
slowed up. Material could not be
obtained. Contractors could not keer
up their pace. The delicately adj
justed mechanism Of the great tran
sit system was upset, and when the
United States entered the struggle the
last blows were dealt to It,
The industrial, financial and Labor
upheaval through which we are pass
ing caught the work Mr.. SHoNTs wal
doing in It's most vulnerable phase
The orderly progress of his corpora