The Sun and the New York herald., 1920-07-14
FRANK TRUMBULL,
RAIL EXPERT, ? DIES
Was One Of Wilson's Advisers
on Transportation Prob
lens During the War.


Santa Barbara. Cal. Of heart trouble.
Advices received yesterday in this city
from California stated that his son
Roscoe was with him at the time Of his
death.
Mr.. Trumbull was chairman OF the
BOARD of directors of the Missouri,
Kansas and Texas Railway and until
recently OF the Chesapeake and Ohio
Railroad, position which he had re-
talned since February, 1909, when he
withdrew from many of his other activ-
tiles He also was chairman OF the
board of the Hooking Valley Railroad
Company and chairman of the Railway
Executives Advisory Committee.
In the latter connection he wasfpar-
ticularly prominent in an advisory
capacity during the war time period OF
Federal operation of the railroads and
was consulted several times by President
Wilson. He took an active interest In
the solution OF problems incident to the
return Of the roads to private ownership
and operation, and many OF the reforms
which he had advocated and worked for
were embodied In the transportation act
under the provisions of which American
railroads are now functioning.
Fought Way to Top.
When Congress was graphing last Oc-
tober with difficulties incident to the
need OF railroad reorganization Mr..
TrumbulI submitted a plan for the solu-
ton OF the problem to the chairmen OF
both the House and Senate committees
on interstate commerce. 1t set forth In
detail many of the provisions which
were Incorporated later In the new legis-
lntion.
Frank Trumbull was born November 7,
1858, In Arcadia. Mo. the son Of Walter
B. and Virginia (Thomas) Trumbull. His
father was a school teacher, OF an old
New England family. His mother, who
died in 1887. was lineally descended from
Gov William Randolph Of Virginia.
Young Trumbull had to begin earning
his living at IL years Of age. During the
period when most boys are struggling
through the seventh and eight grades
and the first two years Of high school
he was earning his way, first as clerk in
bookstore and later, at the age Of IA,
as deputy postmaster Of Pleasant Hill,
Mo.
When he was 16 he tackled his first
real job in railroading He was ad-
mitted as clerk in the comptroller's Of
fee Of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas
Thirty-eight years later he was elected
chairman of the board Of the same
company. But up to that zenith he had
to work his way step by step. He was
fourteen years going through the ac-
counting offices of the Katy" and the
Missouri Pacific, and In 1885 he was
appointed auditor OF the Texas and
Pacific.
He went TO Colorado in 1888 and for
five years was in the wholesale coal
business. Mr.. Trumbull considered
trose years very useful, for he used to
say that it was then he obtained the
viewpoint Of the shipper rather than OF
the carrier. During that time he also
made reports for New York and London
bankers on various Western railroad
properties.
In 1898 he was appointed receiver
and general manager of the Union
Pacific, Denver and Gulf. This was the
bankrupt branch Of the Union Pacific,
which Mr.. Trumbull developed, extend
ed. connected with the Fort Worth and
Denver City and made into the Colo
rodo and Southern. In that work he
was associated with Grenville NJ. Dodge
and later with Edwin Hawley and with
the Huntingtons.
Sold Road TO Hill.
The Colorado and Southern at that
time had a total mileage Of 1872 standard
gauge miles and $50 narrow gauge
miles. In the fiscal year ended June
30. 1900. the total operating revenues
amounted to $4,23S.000 and operating
expenses to $3,133,000. Earnings were
at the rate OF $3,712 per mile Of road.
1t was not until 1902 that Edwin Haw-
ley became a member Of the board Of
directors, but Mr. Hawley and Mr..
Trumbull retained their interest in the
company until Mr.. Trumbull effected
tho sale Of a controlling part of the
stock to the late James ]. Hill.
This sale took place in 1909. The
total mileage operated June 80. 1908,
was 1852 miles. The total operating
revenues amounted to $14,2S1.000 and
the operating income amounted to
$4,635, ,OOO.. The company had no float
ing debt and was paying regular divi-
dends on its first and second preferred
stock,
In 1908, when the Colorado and
Southern sale was carried out, Mr..
Trumbull was fifty, and his inclination
was to retire. He had had many years
OF exceedingly hard work and a great
deal OF sickness. 1t was Just prior to
this time that the Pennsylvania Rail-
road had dlvested itself Of Its interest
in the stock of the Chesapeake and Ohio.
and this stock was being held by the
banking firm of Kuhn, Loeb g. Co. Mr..
Trumbull was persuaded by his asso-
ciates to join them in the purchase Of
this stock and to become chairman of
the board of directors of the company.
A controlling interest in the Hooking
Valley was for sale. and Mr.. Trumbull
bought this for the Chesapeake and Ohio.
Founded Railroad Board.
About the same time Edwin Hawley
put through negotiations for the pur-
chase by the Chesapeake and Ohio of
the line from Cincinnati to Chicago,
which is now known as the Chicago line
of the Chesapeake and Ohio. The Hook |
ing Valley was a valuable investment
for the Chesapeake and Ohio.
Mr.. Trumbull married on June s. 1881, |
Miss Cora Hale, who died on December |
Z, 1889. His second wife was Miss Mary A. |
Sisson, daughter Of Frederick p. Sisson
Of Illinois He was member Of the Metro |
politan and Lawyers clubs, New York
city; Of the City. Midday and Economic
clubs. the New England and Mis-
souri, societies, the Society Of Colonial
Wars, the Automobile Club Of America |
and of the Denver Club of Denver, Col. |
He was member also of the board Of
directors Of the Tuskegee Normal and
Industrial Institute and vice chairman
of the New York Committee of the Civic
League for Immigrants.
MRS. SWANSON DIES.