The Delta independent., 1924-05-16
MESSENGER TO MASTER

American youths who try to keep in
touch with current events will do we'll
to divert their attention from the
hearsay testimony of muckrakers
long enought to read the interesting
story of the rise of Patriik
New York Central railroad. 1t is
story that should be an encourage
ment and an inspiration to any boy
who aspires to a life of usefulness,
honor and reasonable remuneration.
1t is a story of humble beginnings, of
hard and faithful work, of constant
preparation for higher service.
And it is a typical American story.
Taking his first job as a messenger
at S. per month-in days when that
was considered a fair wage for boy
essenger-Crowley learned telegra.
ply instead of spending his spare time
in the company of idle street corn
er gangs" His schooling having end
ed with the eighth grade, he contin-
ued his education by private study
outside CT working hours. From one
position to another he worked his
way up through the operating depart
ment of the New York Central to the
head of that great transportation sys-
TEN, with its 1900 miles of road
traversing eleven states and Canada.
His salary will be close to 100000 a
year. While this is less than was re-
ceived by Mr.. McAdoo in a single fee
for far less service based on far less
experience, yet the salary is testi-
monial to the faithfulness and ability
of the man to whom it is paid. The
compensation stands as goal to
which other youths may run if they
are willing to devote their time and
energy and self-denial to the task.
If the Crowley story were an isolat-
ed instance it would scarcely be worth
a second thought, but it is not. When
historic records such as that of Lin
coin are mentioned, the youth of to-
day is inclined to dismiss the subject
with the remark that those oppor-
tunities no longer exist. Neverthe-
less, among the names of the great
leaders now living may be found those
VI many "AAO btbAh CT Ilt ~ tol
rung of the ladder and rose entirely
by the demonstration of high char
acter, willing endeavor and rare skill.
That is particularly true of men high
in transportation service.
Kruttschnitt, head of the Southern
Pacific and the highest salaried rail
road president, began as a member OF
construction gang; Smith, who pre-.
ceded Crowley at the head OF the New
York Central, began as a messenger;
Gray of the Union Pacific began as a
telegrapher; Markham of the Illinois
Central swung a pick and shovel:
Pennington OF the Minneapolis, st
Paul and Sault st. Marie began as a
warehouseman; Holden Of the Chi
cago, Burlington and Quincy worked
up through the legal department OF
his road.
But the record OF success attained
by personal effort is by no means con
fined TO men who chose railroading a.
their careers. Neither is the recort
OF success confined entirely TO thos,
who started under adverse circum
stances Gary Of United States Stee
received a college education Will,
Schwab Of the Bethlehem Steel die
not Similar stories are disclosed b,
the records of thousands of men wht
have attained marked success in loca
rather than national enterprise. The,
are disclosed in the records OF mel
who have chosen public life as
career. The White House was no
closed TO the farmer boy OF Ohio no
the farmer boy OF Vermont, nor will
II be closed 10 any other farmer bo,
who has the talent and the will am
the strength TO win the confidence 0
the American people.
The future offers ample rewards 70
builders; It holds only ignomy 70
destroyers