Ashland weekly tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1919-1924, 1920-01-07


SAN FRANCISCO. - Announce
ment has been made at the headquar-
ters of the United States Railroad
administration in Portland of the res
ignation of District Director William
Sproule. Press dispatches from New
York City at the same time told OF
his election to the presidency of the
Southern Pacific company succeeding
Julius Kruttschnitt who remains as
chairman of the board of directors.
"By election to the place of Presi-
dent of the Southern Pacific com
pany," said Mr. Sproule, IL simply re-
sumo on January 1st the position held
by me before the war and before the'
director general assigned to me the
duties of district director of the Cen
trail Western Region in the United
States railroad administration.
"In view of the brief perior re-
naming for federal control of opera
tions | recently asked to be released
from service in the railroad admins
tration as soon as convenient. That
request has been complied with by
the director general and my service
in that relation closes with the end
OF the year December 81, 1919,
"The whole period of my service
with the United States railroad adj
ministration has been one Of cordial
relation with all its officials, and a
tribute of praise is particularly due
from me to Mr.. Hale Holden, the re-
gional director, with whom | directly
served. The railroad officials, in the
district, and indeed everywhere, have
been active and responsive, doing the
very best for their roads and for re-
suits to the United States treasury
that they could achieve.
GAS president of the Southern Pa
cfic company I will resume immedi
ate and general charge Of its inter-
ests on the Pacific coast and west of
FL Paso, Ogden and Portland. The
government continues in complete
control of operations until March |,
hence my active attention to the rail
road operations naturally begins at
the close of federal operation But In
the few weeks interval between Jan
uary I and March the board of di-
rectors believe there is enough to
warrant attention in preparing for
public service after federal control
ends.
"The change in my relations signi-
fies only an intention to facilitate
the return of the road to operation by
the company, on the basis of good or
ganization that has its aim the har-
monizing of the interests of the ship
ping and travelling public, the stock
holders and the employees. Nothing
unusual is in contemplation either as
to men or measures. Much depends
on what congress enacts to provide
for the future of the railroads. II
they may operate under conditions
enabling Them to pay for the ma
terials and equipment and construc-
tion needed for the public service,
much can be done But they cannot
get these things unless they can pay
for them. They are like an individ-
ual in this respect. They differ from
the individual in that they have no
use for the equipment or anything
else, unless to give to the public the
service that supplies a proper pub
lie demand"
Replying to questions as to the AS
sociated Oil company and its subsi-
Mr.. Sproule said:
"Mr. Paul Shoup is president of
these companies and his abilities are
recognized by all the stock
holders. Whatever is best for THAI
will be done under his ad-
vice when the time comes for fu-
ture consideration"
The position of district director
lapses with Mr.. Sproule's retirement
and a new office is created to carry
on the work of the administration in
this district to the conclusion of fed
eral control. This office is to be ad-
by Mr.. Mcdonald, who to-
day becomes assistant 10 the regional
director by appointment from Hale
Holden, regional director, Chicago.
Mr.. McDonald's offices will continue
to be in the Southern Pacific build
ing at San Francisco.