The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-09-22

who favored the men that he was elimi- |
mating, and things came to a crisis when
some OF them intimated that he would
resign before he would be able to over
come their interests. But In the strug-
gle that followed these directors resigned
and Mr.. Shonts remained supreme ruler
OF the traction lines. From that time
he had welded undisputed authority.
1t was his autocratic rule that en-
abled Mr.. Shonts to accomplish so much
with the city railways in so short a time.
That enabled him to evolve out OF the
old chaotic organization a traction sys-
tenn which has drawn the attention OF
the whole railroad world to New York.
Legal Luxuries Abolished. 4
Among the luxuries abolished by Mr..
Shonts was costly legal staff. On
hearing that one prominent lawyer was
receiving S25, 900 per year and 5000 nd
ditional for every day of court work he
sent for him and was informed by the
attorney that he could not work for
less
II don't want you to-" said Mr..
Shonts; II am dispensing with your
services entirely"
From his office on the twelfth floor
Of the building at 1875 Broadway Mr.. |
Shonts directed the work of charging
the subways and other transit systems
to meet the ever increasing demand.
and engineered a plan which would per-
nit still further development as time
went on. He revolutionized the signal
system on the city's railroads In order
that larger number Of cars and trains
might be operated safely upon the same
tracks. By this means he made II pos
sible for the express trains In the sub
way to operate In rush hours within a
minute and half apart Many n time
his innovations have prevented serio1s
accidents.
Mr.. Shonts was always An untiring
worker. His hours Of business ran far
into the morning in times Of stress.
With big problems on hand he could not
be induced to rest until he had battled
with them and completely overcome
them. He specialized In the difficulties
and the creative work. leaving the rou-
tine to subordinates
The relations between Mr.. Shonts and
his employees have been most amicable.
While there was a strike about two
years ago. his employees have generally
expressed perfect satisfaction with his
arrangements. w. Leon Pepperman,
formerly of the Canal Commission, and
associated with Mr.. Shonts In the Inter-
borough, declared to a representative of
greatest accomplishments had been his
humanizing Of the system. The interest
that he has taken in his employees In
evidenced In the organization of the
welfare department. At the time OF
their strike his train and car workers
broke away from the American Fedora
ton of Labor and set up a union of
their own, and Mr.. Shonts approved
their action in so doing.
tic rrfnu hn col ii
problem are set forth fairly in an ad-
dress that he delivered some time ago.
in which he declared that both workers
and employers in railroad strikes should
consider the interests and safety OF the
public before their own wants or
grievances.
He suggested the three following
principles for guidance of both capital
and labor-in all disturbances:
That In any conflict between the
officers and men of a public service cor
poration the rights Of the public are
paramount.
'<rhere can be no permanentbenefit In
the triumph of either capital or labor
| in such q conflict II the struggle leaves
scars and wounds or bad blood. Unless
good will based on Justice and right is
restored and made permanent the
struggle is loss for all.
of the fundamental rights belonging to
any man to work-or not to work-for
or with whomsoever he will and under
conditions satisfactory to himself"
His Advice to Unions.
! Speaking of unionism he said, IF
| unionism is to succeed 1t must do so by
promoting the prosperity not only OF the
men, but of the companies for and with
which the men work"
| During the war many of Mr.. Shonts's
employees went overseas with the. army
and navy, and many of his technical
workers obtained commissions. All
found their Jobs waiting on their re-
turn.
Making both ends meet has been one
Of his big problems, and he has had q
| a severe struggle to continue the de-
velopment and operation Of the railways
4 In spite of the ever increasing cost of
things and the opposition Of public SEN
timent to any increase OF fare.
Speaking of the extravaganza OF
Government operated railroads he said
that where 1t Is possible to make up
all deficits by taxation the incentive to
economic is naturally eliminated and
extravaganza inevitable.
Mr. Shonts believed in educating the
public regarding the transportation prob
lem, and for the purpose Of presenting
his side OF the4eternal traction argu-
ment caused the publication of those
three papers, The Subtody Sun, The
Elevated Express and The Green Cd'
Traveller.
Through the medium of these papers
he caused the various critics OF the sys-
tenn to be publicly answered. He en-
lightened the passengers regarding the
increasing cost of coal and other ne
cessities OF operation. He explained GER
tain difficulties that unthinking passen-
gers had never before realized.
These papers also at times contained
bits of advice on street car courtesy. fol
MIR. Shonts believed that politenesi
should be exercised In the subway n,
we'll as in more elaborate surroundings
He urged patience with his workers, and
vigorously rebuked the cranks who criti
cised the costumes OF the conductoretteA
He also boosted the Liberty and Vic
tory Loans, and many worthy drives
through these papers.
Called Greatest Deed.
Shonts's greatest accomplishment with
the New York Railway system. Mr.. Pep
german said: 81 believe that his greatest
accomplishment here was the bringing
about of partnership between the munici
pal government and private capital
There are great future possibilities 81
this plan"
Mr. Shonts was born in Crawfor,
county, Pennsylvania, on May S, 1850
son of DR.. Henry Daniels and Margare