The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-11-01
Rail King Arthur Curtiss James NolU
Finds His Faith in West Rewarded
DESPITE Great Wealth Greatest
Railway Magnate Is Little
known
Thrice He Captained His Own
Yacht Aloha Around the
World

It was his belief in the west that
first prompted his interest in the
railway business apparently. The
many, many millions of dollars he
has paid for securities all are in
vested IN Western lines.
It is highly appropriate that this
be so, because the James millions
originally came from the west. Ar
thur Curtiss James grandfather,
Daniel James, founded the family
acknowledging make history the
while-out of participation in cop
per, silver and gold mining enter
prises. Daniel James was an asso-
ciate of Arson Phelps and William
E. Dodge in the great Phelps Dodge
metal ventures.
Unknown by Public
Despite his vast holdings, Arthur
Curtiss James is Z shadowy sort of
figure in the railway world of to-
day. He is an important factor in
the control of more railway mileage
than ever was controlled by Harri-
man, Hill and Gould together, but
il far less publicly known than any
Of these three were in their heydeys.
He is listed as one Of the ten
richest men in this rich country, but
he seldom steps into the limelight-
never, in fact, when he can avoid it.
It is said he has tripled the for
tune left him by his father, D. Will
lis James, and that he has doubled
it since 1915. So his silver spoon
BY no means tells the whole story
Of his financial Importance.
Twice q year James makes trip
Z the west and southwest, visiting
HIS railroads, and about once year
ke inspects his mines and copper in
t4rests in Arizona and New Mexico.
Though he travels in his private car
and is accompanied b. his secre-
taries, there is little ceremony and
nothing to S. 'gest the railroad
kings retinue.
To his associates James is a ge-
NAL. energetic, approachable man
who likes people, likes good joke,
enjoys good food, and works like a
tiger. His movements are quick
and rapid, suggesting extraordinary
nervous energy.
Most of tie men in positions Of
trust in his companies are of SIM
liar type, and are men Of his age,
sixty-some of them older. Most
Of them have been with him for
years.
James is Of medium height, with
q tendency toward expansion at the
waistline. He is one Of the few
capitalists of this country who wear
boards. A very frequent twinkle in
his eyes challenges the dignity his
beard strives to maintain.
Hats Are Antiques
Quite different to his appearance,
James. often wears hats that have
seen years Of service. His straw
hats, particularly, usually are sug-
gestive Of former styles. A wrinkle
Or 50 in his suits never bothers him.
In the summer, James practically
commutes between New York and
Newport, r. l., spending at least
four days of each week in the hot
city at his office desk. His New
port home is a palace, even for that
millionaires' resort. In it, the
Crown Prince Of Sweden and other
foreign notables have been enter
tanned.
Golf, riding, and the other forms
sof exercise that are supposed to
keep business men fit interest
James but little, but he is an en-
thusiastic yachtsman. He is for
MGR commodore Of the New York
Yacht club and is owner of the
"Aloha," one Of the most palatial
yachts afloat.
James enrolled in the New York
Nautical college for five years, and
has masters license, giving him
the right to captain his own boat
Three times he has sailed around
the world in the "Aloha." He and
Mrs. James frequently take long
cruises. In 1918 the "Aloha" went
from Sandy Hook to Gibraltar in IL
days and 20 hours.
Mistaken For Rum Runner
About two years ago the "Aloha,
with its owner on board, was report.
W ed fired upon by = Coast Guard rum
chaser while en- route from New
York to Newport. James was hur.
rying to his summer home to greet
the Crown Prince Of Sweden, hi
guest.
An unseen vessel sent two shells
across tho yachts bow. Fog was
heavy at the time. A complaint wa,
filed by James at Washington.
James is . generous contributor
to charitable and educational causes
BUT his gifts always are accompa'
MED by injunctions against undue