The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-11-30
H. S. RAY TO SPEAK
Rock Island Official Sees I'M
prOYement in Business.
Roads Have Not Recovered
From War, He Says.

With a policy of determination to
more fully serve the needs of the pub
lie and with better relations being
gradually established between the car
riers and their employees to help make
it possible, Hal S. Ray, assistant to
the president of the Rock Island lines,
predicted today a general improve
ment for the railroads in the near
future and said that in some respects
the Improvement was already being
felt. Ray arrived in Topeka this
morning to attend the meeting and
banquet of the Rock Island Dinner
club at the Chamber of Commerce.
tonight, at which he will be the prin-
cipal speaker.
Asked to state. if possible, the Rock
Islands probable attitude toward ex-
penditures and its program of con-
sruction tor the coming year, with
particular reference to the company's
vacant yard space at Topeka, and re-
ported negotiations for the purchase of
the Salina & Northern and the Leav-
enworth & Topeka. Ray said he had
not looked over any of the company's
construction plans but asserted it was
his opinion that conditions had not
yet improved to the point of warrant
ing any extensive moves in that d.
Tection.
Conditions Have Improved.
There has been an Improvement
and by the signg on the horizon we
are able to remain hopeful" said Ray.
1.-THE Improvement in general condi
tions is too spotted to make it depend
able and until'there is a further trend
toward getting back to normal, the
railroads will not be able to expand
beyond what is actually necessary to
take care of the business 1 might
say that never before have the rail-
4
meet the public need which practically
settles the expansion question. They
are bringing the equipment up to
high standard and are becoming bet
ter prepared every day to meet any
advancement the country makes"
Ray SAID that the local project or
the purchase by the Rock Island of
either the Salina e. Northern or the
Eeavenworth & Topeka had ever been
brought to his attention but that doz-
ems of such negotiations might take
place without his knowing it.
4 never rode over either of those
lines and know nothing about them
but it is my personal opinion that the
Rock Island has all of the non-prof-
liable branch lines he wants" he said,
and then added he hoped those in
question were the other kind.
Have Not Recovered.
The railroads haven't fully recov-
= 1 W II Jill Tire VIII PERIOD SdlQ Etdys
but are making progress. Our labor
troubles are not ended, but a closer
relationship and a better understand
ing is being established between the
Rock Island and its employees which
IS helping to raise the standard of our
service. We are not trying to bust
the labor unions, but are trying to i'm
press upon aCur men that they are a
part of our family, that we are enti-
tied to honest effort in return for a |
days pay and the response is becom-
ing wOnderfHl@ We are coming out of
the period of indifference brought on |
by the war ana our men are showing J
more interest and cooperation in !
their work. which is a notable i'm |
An attendance of more han one
hundred persons is expected at the
meeting of the Rock Island Dinner
club this evening. There is usually an
attendance of from sixty to seventy
i've at these meetings. but on this oc-
casion wives and sweethearts of the
members of the club are to be in
Guided. The banquet will be served
at $50 o'clock.