Evening star., 1926-09-27
MEN AND MONEY
By NJ. 5. Rukeyser
tCopyright, l926N

From bankruptcy to afluence" has
been the story OF the development OF
American railroads since their return
20 private operation after the war.
When the carriers were turned back
% their owners six years ago they
were challenged TO demonstrate that
they could make them perform ef
flciently. If they failed, Government
operation as permanent policy
seemed inevitable Speculative Wall
Street. in it's present clamor for rail
road stocks, is registering its opinion
that private management has made
good. The return of railroad shares
to market leadership is the most
significant stock market development
af the year.
The new success of the railroads in
carrying more freight thus far this
year than in any corresponding period
In their history-and with greater dis
patch and efficiency-retiects good
management.
Who are the men who are reviyify.
ing the American railroads? Who are
the topnotchers at the helm of the 1911
larger railroads IN the United States?
Statesmen Of RailrOading.
Among the 12 best railroad leaders
there Is wide diversity as to techique
and public relations
Howard Elliott, chairman of the
Northern Pacific. and Samuel Rea
who stepped from the presidency OF
Pennsylvania last year when he at
tanned the age of 20. are the elder
statesmen of railroading, men who are
widely respected for their integrity.
In lad IF
portation and their broad gauged pub
lie vision.
Among the more active men. l.. F.
Ioree. president of the Delaware 4
Hudson chairman of the Kansas City
Southern and author of d grouping
plan in the Southwest, has what many
consider the best analytical mind in
the railroad industry. He would prob
ably succeed equally III any field.
whether pure science or applied life.
where mental energy is high asset.
In this respect. he Is like the late Ju-
luis KruttSchmitt. former chairman of
the Southern Pacific 90. Mr.. IIoree
IS recognized as the adviser on all
transportation matter to the banking
firm of Kuhn. Loeb & Co. which next
to j. P Morgan & Co. is the most inn
portant railroad banking house in the
world.
Never known by Public.
The public has never got to know
Mr. I4oree TO outsiders he has
seemed at times arrogant and dog
matte. That is because he is intoler-
ant of error and never trims his sails
To compromise With the opinions Of
those with whom he disagrees. He
has been perhaps the strongest foe of
tendencies of government to encroach
upon the rights Of private manage
ment in railroading and in labor af
fairs he has never followed cOnVen
tionally progressive policies.
Outside of the Van SWeringenS OF
Cleveland. Mr.. Ioree is the most sig
nif1cant figure in the present imports
ant movement toward railroad merg
ers
Oris +. Van Sweringen and his
brother, Mantis j., who is two years
younger. are always; considered as "A
unit for they art partners in all their
undertakings. The Van Sweringens,
who are still bachelors, aged 47 and
as respectively. as boys had news
route in Cleveland.
They early saw possibilities in sub
millions as their profit for developing
the Shaker Heights district. At
time when the spirit of adventure in
railroading was at it's lowest ebb they
brought the same high degree of in
!tiative. enterprise and venturesome
ness into railroading which they had