WESTERN PACIFIC ~q~~~Sls Vol. I MAY, 1950 No. 10 Department of Public Relations, 526 Mission Street, San Francisco lee "Flash" Sherwood, Editor Arthur Lloyd, Jr., Associate Editor Member American Railway Magazine Editors' Association CORRESPO NDENTS ~~od6

Gordon Halvorsen, Sacrament o Northern Hazel Petersen, Oakland Above: "With the co~operation of all, this railroad Frank Lindee, Tidewater Southern Bill McGrath, Chicago g;}tt£d /b W£?t?le~ is going places!" Nevada Michelson, Elko Robert Munce Jr., los Angeles Helen Small , O roville Charles Pfenning, Wendover ~a,ue [!A~ed£;U?l/ Bob Gonsalves, Salt l ake City Gene Trace, Virginia Rustan, Stockton

Maurice Notter, Jim Mi ll s, Molly Fagan, Rita Conolly, Dudley Thickens, San Francisco He fills 11 days, 3,100 "rails" i Below, left : They knew he was coming so they Fred Kr;uger, Sacramento Madge Siaughtner, Sacramento Shops Spreads 18 spreads 1,000 mi les baked a cake. Presented at Sacramento by Madge Irene Burton, Sacramento Store Department Slaughtner and Jim Musillani. supt. motive power office. ~ 7 When President Whitman assumed top position in Western Pacific last INDEX July, one of his chief desires was to Page meet every man and woman on the Below, right : Vice-President Munson prefaces his Fireman's view from special picking up employees at Hogan Cover railroad face to face. He wanted to get safety talk with the story of the alfalfa and the bul1. MILEPOSTS Goes to Dinner with the Pl'esident 3-16, incl. started toward his firm intention of 17, 18 being able to call each one by name Highlights from the President's Talk and he wanted to tell them personally Mileposts in Gold 19 of his plans. Until last month one In Memoriam 19,20 thing after another prevented. Chief Surgeon Retires 20 But a few weeks ago he found a Caboosing 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29 precedent shattering means to ac- Reno Station Burns . 26 St. Louis Office 26 New Railroad Hour Show 26, 27 Conductor Roy Dryden Retires 27 Speaking of Mileposts 30 Sports 31 Railroad Lines 32 2 M ILEPOSTS complish his object. On April 12 he earn our living in its service. Come to mailed personal dinner invitations to dinner and listen!" One of the diner parties aboard the special. every employee on the line. "I feel The series of dinner parties that were that I have been with Western Pacific arranged (with a few breakfasts and long enough now to get my feet fairly luncheons thrown in), totaled eighteen close to the ground," he wrote, "and in all. If an employee found it in­ as you may know I have some fairly convenient to attend the one to which President Whitman talks to the bunch at Salduro. definite objectives for the future of he was invited, he was welcome at Western Pacific, plans that I sincerely another. Through the salt flats and believe will payoff for all of us who (Continued on Page 9)

Pronto delegation awaits the special. A pick·up on the Salt Flats.

desert, where no banquet facilities ex­ isted, the spread was set in two diner cars and a coach fixed up for the pro­ gram following. All twenty-six general chairmen of the labor organizations affiliated with Western Pacific were personally in­ In the hole for the California Zephyr. vited by President Whitman to be his guests for the entire trip. Seven found dining cars. And so the operation con­ it possible to accept, while most of the tinued westward through Elko and others attended at least one of the Winnemucca. get-togethers. Negotiations which had The concentration of Western Pa­ been proceeding daily between the cific railroaders at Portola and Keddie chairmen of the operating brother­ posed a problem in logistics. Neither hoods and the railroad were simply the diners nor any local restaurants moved to the special train and con­ could begin to accommodate the tinued in a business car between the Train and engine service men at Wendover await The boss plays "Chopsticks" for Vice-President crowd. Reno was the nearest possi­ the Nosebag Special. Munson before lunch at Winnemucca. employee meetings. bility, so a special train was run clear "Operation Nosebag" commenced from Bieber to gather up the fellows with a dinner party at Hotel Utah in and gals along the way, consolidate Salt Lake City on April 18, followed with the Nosebag Special at Reno by a breakfast in the diners the next Junction, and continue on to Reno, a morning. Immediately following, the distance of 205 miles each way. A nine-car special pulled out of Union Pullman car was carried for those on Taken at San Jose, this picture shows the president, members of his staff, and representatives of the lab?r Depot and began picking up personnel the N. C. E. who would not get home organizations. Left to right: C. E. Whitman, BLF&E; George Clark, SUNA; 1. M. Ferguson, specIal along the railroad for the luncheon at until the early morning hours. MILE­ assistant; C. O. Davis, IBBDF&R; R. W. Rich, RYofA : H. C. Munson, V-P & G ~ M; R. T. R~nan, ARSA' H. E. Stapp. terminal trainmaster ; T. C. Bridges, BofMWE; A. W. Arnall. ORC; presIdent Salduro. These guests returned to their POSTS has heard a whisper that some Whitm~n j W. I. Hatfield, BofR&CS; G. H . Kneiss, asst. to president ; O. H. Bryan, asst. to gen. mgr.; H. R. Fegley, asst. to gen. mgr.; G. D. Keyes, agent, San Jose ; lIugh Allen, road foreman of engines. posts on No.2; Wendover employees Portola wives frowned on the idea of Stockton; C. R. Nipper, general agent, San Jose; Walter Brunberg, asst. supt. dining cars; G. W. Curtis, were next entertained at dinner in the hubby in Reno on Saturday night. supt. Western Divn.; E. P. Brodersen, RPU; W. E. Meyers, BLE; W. G. Howell, trainmaster, Stockton; P. F. Werner, ORT; B. J. Flood, industry clerk, San Jose. Elko dinner-Stockmen's H otel, April 20th. Reno dinner-Mapes Hotel, April 22nd.

Oroville lunch-Oroville Inn, April 23rd. BR&SC. has Gen'l. Chairman Elmer Meyers, BLE, speaks at Gen'I. Chairman T. C. Bridges, BofMWE, was on the' Sa1t Lake dinner. the program at Oroville.

Oroville, Stockton, Berkeley, Sacra­ been served during the eighteen get­ talk by Vice-President and General and began his talk with the remark mento, and San Jose were the scenes togethers and about 70 per cent of the Manager H. C. Munson on safety, fol­ that while the idea of everyone on the of the next events, and the operation Western Pacific staff had attended, met lowed by a few words from one of the raih'oad having dinner together was a concluded with dinner for 500 at the the boss, and heard what h e had to say. general chairmen on co-operation be­ new one, it was far from being the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco on Program for all meetings was the tween labor and management. Presi­ only new thing that would happen on April 28. A total of 3,119 meals had same regardless of size. First a short dent Whitman was then introduced (Continued on Page 18)

Oroville dinner-Oroville Inn, April 23rd. Stockton lunch-The Pump Room., April 24th. Stockton dinner-The Pump Room, April 24th. Sacramento dinner-Senator Hotel, April 26th. HIGHLIGHTS:

of one-car special runs in terminals. That "Program of dinner meetings new on W. P. but not the only new depar­ would increase costs." "Weare spending 32 million dol­ ture to be expected." lars for diesels, C. T. C., heavier rail, "We need new and progressive methods and ideas and we are determined that we shall have etc., in the next five years." Ihem because we know that such methods and " Unless the railroad makes money and pays dividends. our credit will not be good when we ideas will benefit us all." need to borrow money for new equipment. This " In five years I hope to know most can only be done by having a low cost economi­ of our employees by name." cal operation so there will be a sufficient ma rgin "We have good labor organizations between revenues and expenses." on W. P. represented by able and skill­ "We plan complete dieselization by ful leaders who are determined to press 1952; C. T. C. through to Salt Lake vigorously for all they feel their men City in '53; 40 miles of new heavy rail are entitled to. On the other hand man­ yearly; and 25 miles of reballasting." agement has no intention of 'giving the "If we are to have the economical and railroad away' w hile engaged in collec­ efficient performance necessary to get tive bargaining." the business and provide the necessarv "Western Pacific is a comparatively small money for improvements it is essenti;! organization and thus has a better opportunity that every officer and employee turn in 10 develop a compacl. hard-hitting. effective a superior performance." . team.'- "These are some of our policies: "There are three chief ways to in­ 1. The management expects that crease our freight business: (1) boost every employee will do his work safely. ou r proportion of the traffic already 2. The management is sincerely in­ handled by rail; (2) repossess business terested in the safety, health, welfare going by highway and water; (3) at­ and happiness of every employee and tract new industries to our rails." his family. "Our progress in increasing au'' 3. The management wants every em- freight business will not be spectacular ployee to feel that he has a good job, but will be slow and steady." one in which he can take interest and "We have found that seleclive rate cuts must pride and a job that he enjoys. be made in some instances to regain or retain 4. The management wants all em­ cerlain types of freight Iraffic." ployees to feel that an opportunity is "Freight service must be speeded up. available to them to be considered for This means faster running on the road promotion. At the same time, employees and less delay in terminals. But it does should recognize that not every em­ not mean a change in the policy of run­ ployee can be promoted because the op­ ning long trains nor does it mean a lot portunities for promotion are necessarily limited. The Grand Finale. San Francisco dinner, Fairmont 5. The management is determined to IT otel, A pril 28th. be fair in its dealings with the labor enforced action as is necessary to pro­ organizations and with individual em­ duce the desired results for safety, effi­ ployees. ciency and economy. MILEPOSTS IN GOLD 6. The management intends to see 10. The management recognizes that that all agreements with labor organiza­ friendly and sincere cooperation on the tions are strictly lived up to. We will part of officers and employees alike is Western Pacific congratulates the following employees to whom Service Pin attempt to carry out these agreements needed to produce the desired results. Awards were made during the month of April, 1950: fairly and squarely so there will be no They welcome sound ideas and intel­ J. C. Marchand ...... p~:~~a~~: 1i~~t ...... San Francisco occasion for claims and grievances being ligent suggestions as to how work can 30-YEAR PINS __ ... ____ .... __ Oakland submitted. It is recognized that the be done safer and better with due regard James B. Dillon .... . ___ ... Agent ...... __ ...Aud. Cap. Exptrs ...... General Auditor management may differ with employees to the need for efficiency and economy. Frank P . Ferguson ... as to the interpretation of agreements, 20-YEAR PINS Sam Charley ...... ___ .....Track Laborer ..... _-_ ... -...... Eastern Division but such differences in interpretation ...... Marine Mate ...... Marine Dept. H. J. Fitzpatrick .... Western Division (Continued from Page 13) A. W . Howard ...... __ ...... Switchman __ ", ,.. . will be honest ones. We do not intend to ...... __ ..... Elect. Foreman .... , ...... - ...... Mechanical Dept. Henry H . Lloyd ...... Eastern Division sharp-shoot and, in turn, we do not w ant Western Pacific in the years to come. Brenton L . Peterson ...... Track Foreman _ A synopsis of the talk will be found IS-YEAR PINS ou r em ployees to be sharpshooters. I t is ... Eastern Division Charles G. Clontz ...... Track Foreman ...... recognized that mistakes may be made by elsewhere in this issue of MILEPOSTS...... Sheet Metal Worker...... Mechanical Dept. Robert A . Hansen ...... Eastern Division those who have to administer the agree­ The program closed with the new color Martin R . Milano ...... Track Foreman ...... movie, "California Zephyr." IO-YEAR PINS ments, but we will try and develop ...... Section Laborer ...... Eastern Division Willie Charley...... Eastern Division greater skill so that mistakes will be less­ The parties were exceedingly well Lino M iche1i ...... Ice House Laborer .... ened as time goes on. attended, in most instances it being 7. The management is determined to necessary to set up additional tables. .1Ju ~rmllriam be exacting and firm in its intention that The response was equally enthusiastic. John Berg, formerly employed as of his death being unknown. Mr. Jacobs every employee will willingly accept the "These gentlemen did not wear brass chief clerk, Sacramento Shops, until retired September 19, 1945, after 23 respo.nsibility that is his for doing the collars," wrote one of our railroaders his retirement on January 30, 1947, years' service with the company. His best Job he knows how in his particular in Utah. "They are human beings with died on April 8, 1950. His survivors are heirs are not known. vocation. It expects a top-flight perform­ a big job to do, and I want to say that not known. Samuel Bruce Kent, Sr., supervisor ance from every employee because the in all my many years of railroading, Retired Ticket Clerk Arthur J . of boarding camps, died on April 27, employee, himself, will want to turn in in many branches of service, I have Decker died on March 13, 1950. Mr. 1950 and is survived by his son, Sam­ su~h a performance. The management never witnessed or even thought of Decker entered Western P acific serv- uel Bruce Kent, Jr., of San Leandro. Will not tolerate laziness, indifference, such a wonderful way of gaining the ice J une 26, 1942, and retired April 7, Mr. Kent entered Western Pacific carelessness or slip-shod performance. confidence of the employees and ce­ 1949. His heirs are unknown. service January 23, 1942. S. The management and the local menting them together in one solid Frank Espinosa, section laborer, died Sam Lipparelli, retired B & B helper, officers recognize that it is their respon­ group." One of the general chairmen on March 4, 1950. Mr. Espinosa retired died April 26, 1950, at St. Joseph's Hos­ sibility to help every employee carry ou t told the Elko newspaper, "This is in November, 1949, after more than 13 pital. His survivors are not known. his desi re to do his job the best he knows unique in all my ten years' experience years' service. He is survived by his Paul B. McKeehan, machinist, died how. They will do everything reason­ as a labor leader. And it's being very widow, Mrs. Frank Espinosa, of San on April 5, 1950, and is survived by his ably possible to assist employees in well received. It's a totally different Francisco. daughter, Lois McKeehan, of North achieving that result. approach than I have ever witnessed Frances P . Evick, temporary cashier, Sacramento. Mr. McKeehan began his between management and labor. I'm died April 14, 1950, after more than service with the company on October 9. The management can do little to enthusiastic about it." 20 years' service with Western Pacific. help any employee hold his job if the 'd 16, 1936. In Stockton, MILEPOSTS asked a man Mrs. Evick is survived b y her WI ower, sincere cooperation of the employee is across the table how long he had been Mr. Russ Evick. Frederick E. Mitchell, extra gang not willingly forthcoming. In such working for Western Pacific. "Ever Norman L. Jacobs, formerly em- laborer, died on March 10, 1950. Heirs cases, which it is hoped will be few, the since I heard the President speak," was ployed as carman on the Sacramento are Mr. John H. Mitchell of Denver, management will reluctantly take such his answer. Northern, died recently, the exact date Colorado.

18 MILEPOSTS MILEPOSTS 19 Chief Surgeon Retires For 15 years he has been associate professor at U.C., and was president After thirty years' service with of the County Medical Society in 1932. Westem Pacific, Dr. Alson R. Kilgore He was one of the founders, and the retired as chief surgeon May 1, 1950. first secretary and general manager, of Bom in Oakland May 30,1887, Doc the California Physicians Service. He ea&oosing graduated from University of Califor­ has also been for a good many years nia with the class of 1909. After four a member of the California Cancer more years of medical schooling at Commission, and has been chief of staff Empress of Scotland in August. Larry's Harvard, he served at Massachusetts' Sa lt Lake City at St. Joseph's Hospital for the past hobby is collecting recordings of the General Hospital and the University Back to St. Mark's Hospital went ten years. FRED WORSLEY, chief clerk, recently, operas on a special machine he de­ For the occasion of his retirement, for a little retouching of the hemia signed and built for his personal use. Miss Anne Crowder, secretary of the operation he had last October. A quick His records would fill a good -sized medical department, arranged a cock­ recovery has been prescribed, says room, and he invites music lovers to tail party which was held in the roof Fred. enjoy his recordings with him at his lounge of the Westem Pacific Building Active workers on the recent Red Piedmont home. His son-in-law is a on April 27, in order that many of his Cross Drive were RAY COULAM, gen­ very famous tennis player and is now friends could honor his retirement. eral agent, and BILL SILFVAST, traffic engaged in instructing movie stars and Assisting Miss Crowder as hostesses representative, which did not include other professionals, and Larry enjoys were Irene Florance and Alice Mills, Ray's hard work as a committee mem­ many week- ends at his daughter's also of the medical department, and ber on the SLC Traffic Club dinner for home in Santa Monica chatting with Dorothy Lee and Martha Levy of the March, which was handled by rail rep­ these famous people. chief special agent's office. resentatives that month. Another voyager is JACK O'SULLI­ Acting as master of ceremonies, Busy BOB GONSALVES, district pas­ VAN, who sails soon for Ireland for a WaIter C. Mittelberg, general freight senger representative, was elected to visit with his mother, whom he has agent, kept the events flowing smooth­ a two-year term on the Board of Con­ not seen in 21 years. We will get the ly, terminating with the presentation trol of the Salt Lake Exchange Club; story on his trip when he returns. to Dr. Kilgore of a desired album of was personal representative and dele­ Weare sorry to hear that Doc Americana, on behalf of the doctor's gate of the National President of Sigma CRAMPTON'S son, a World War II vet­ many Western Pacific friends. Alpha Epsilon fraternity at the cen­ eran, is still on the sick list, and trust The doctor plans to continue private tennial celebration of the University that his long illness will soon be over. practice in San Francisco, where he of Utah held during February; and The latest letter from retired switch­ resides with his wife. His family con­ Mrs. Kilgore watches the doctor open his album. just finished a successful campaign as man JACK JOHNSON is filled with the sists of two married daughters. co-chairman of the Commerce and glories of Manton, California, and the of Califomia Hospital until 1915. He Industry Division of the Red Cross life of Riley he enjoys while hunting, then went to China with the Rocke­ IN MEMORIAM Drive. This in addition to keeping up fishing, etc. Sounds very fine, Jack, feller Foundation and was in Shanghai Baldomero E. Solis, extra gang his duties on a new home. His latest and your letters are always welcome. until 1918, after which he served two laborer, died recently, the exact date offer is to serve as SLC correspondent ED THOMPSON, retired terminal train­ years with the U. S. Navy during of his death being unknown. Mr: Solis for MILEPOSTS. master, and wife were in the Bay Area World War 1. entered Western Pacific service Au­ Oakland recently. Some of you who cannot go After a short stay at Johns Hopkins gust 8, 1947. His heirs are not known. It's bon voyage to LARRY WHITAKER, up to Mt. Shasta to see them often in Baltimore, Doc came to San F ran­ Richard E. Stengle, agent-telegra­ switchman, who sailed for Europe on will be glad to hear they may move cisco, where in April, 1920, he joined pher, died April 14, 1950. Mr. Stengle the Empress of Canada April 28, for back here soon, where we can all en­ the staff of the Westem Pacific as local entered Western Pacific service May an extensive tour of England, Ireland, joy visiting with them more often. surg~on, serving continuously until his 29, 1937. He is survived by his daugh­ Scotland, France, Italy, Switzerland PETE BARNETT, switchman, has been retirement. ter, Mrs. Edith Faulkner. and Belgium. Plans to return on the seriously ill. We know his many friends

20 MILEPOSTS M1LEPOSTS 21 will be thinking of him and wishing LEE and MICKEY WILLIS and little BILLY TRUITT was presented with a Slim's program for landscaping and him a very speedy recovery. daughter, Carol Lee, have moved into leather traveling bag as a retirement yard work he will appreciate those extra daylight hours offered by DST. Stockton their new home at 5021 Sixty-second gift from Tidewater Southern em­ Street, where Lee is very busy with ployees. He was recently back, how­ JOHN F. FLYNN, general diesel su­ Stockton freight office employees furnishings, finishing touches, etc. ever showing off a shiny new Pontiac pervisor, is proudly driving around in were shocked at the untimely sudden -or' at least the way Bill keeps it, it a nice new Chevrolet. passing of FRANCES P. EVICK, stenogra­ HORACE LATONA went fishing recently looks brand new. Understand h e is Fireman CAROL GUDMUNDSEN and pher clerk. She had joined the Stock­ and, though the fish were biting, it now building a house in Stockton. wife the arrival of a son, ton force a little over a year ago, wasn't for his bait! Was his face red­ announ~ed Carol Thomas, J r., on April 15, weigh­ transferring from S. F. general office. but that was due to a beautiful case MRS. DORA MONROE is the new secre­ She will be deeply missed by her many of sunburn, not the lack of fish. tary to Superintendent KENADY and ing in at 5 pounds 5 ounces. friends. ALBERT MADAN has been appointed Traffic Representative LINDEE, at Mo­ Relief Diesel Foreman S. A. STRAT­ Cashier ALlENE MEYERS has returned chief clerk, Store Department, in lieu desto, replacing MRS. McINTEER, who TON left April 24 for Springfield, Mis­ to work after a two-week trip which of CHARLES MARCHAND, who, upon his resigned. souri, to spend his vacation with took her to Texas, New Orleans, New return from Chicago, will take over The Industrial Committee of the relatives. Mexico, Boulder Dam and Las Vegas. the position of assistant to general Turlock Chamber of Commerce proved GERALD PATTERSON, roundhouse clerk, Aliene describes the famous Shamrock auditor in charge of inventory control they were really out working for new resigned his position at Oroville to Hotel in Houston as "really some­ of materials and supplies accounting. industries by the large turnout and leave for New York City, where he thing." Before Charlie left April 28 he was enthusiasm shown at their town meet­ plans to study music for his future Your correspondent is slowly but presented with a handsome brief case ing held at Turlock last month. WP career. Our best wishes, Gerald. surely getting back in the groove after from his co-workers. Congratulations was represented by BERT STRATTON Baggageman - Caller E. B. "JACK" a year's leave of absence, and hopes to both. from San Francisco, BOB TAYLOR of HILTON is in St. Joseph's Hospital, San to keep you well posted on freight The Store Department wishes to ex­ Stockton, KENADY and LINDEE from Francisco, for a minor surgery on his office and ticket office activities here press their sincere thanks to PRESIDENT Modesto, and Agent Hupp of Turlock. foot. We hope Jack will soon be back at Stockton. WHITMAN and his staff for the most en­ Messrs. STRATTON and LINDEE were calling crews. MERYLE REIGNER, rate clerk, is busy joyable evening given WP employees placed on the panel of "experts" to Our President's very enlightening painting his house during part of his at the Hotel Senator April 26. The answer the audience's many questions. talk was favorably received by all vacation. Hopes to spend a few days dinner, talks and picture of the Cali­ On the menu was a new entree origi­ employees, and we wish to take this at the coast. nated in Modesto-turkey steak-and fornia Zephyr were thoroughly en­ opportunity to thank him for the fine Our sympathy is extended to the very good, too. joyed by all who attended. luncheon and dinner held at the Oro­ family of DAVID MILLER, trucker, who LLOYD GRAYBIEL, vice - president of passed away recently after a long ill­ Tidewater Southern American Trust Co., San Francisco, ville Inn. ness. and a former Turlockean, was the Through MILEPOSTS the Stockton principal speaker. employees wish to sincerely thank Weare extremely sorry to learn of PRESIDENT WHITMAN for the very en­ the loss of the father of Mrs. Collins, joyable lunch and dinner at the Pump wife of Roy COLLINS, clerk at Turlock. Room April 24. The quiet, clear and interesting manner in which he pre­ Oroville sented his message was thoroughly MRS. BESS GEORGE , Oroville round­ enjoyed by everyone. house employee, was angling in the Feather River April 16 and caught Sacramento Store Department hold of a 31-inch bass weighing 23 The Store Department is proud to pounds. Who says the weaker sex? report that $58.10 was collected over Left to right : Harold Chalmers, conductor; Tom Assistant Signal Supervisor I. T. Another dollar goes to Helen Whaler, wife of their recent Red Cross Drive quota Tharla, brakeman: Sam Evans, fireman; Frank "SLIM" ESLINGER has purchased a new machinist helper Mel Whaler. for p:cture of ]. C. Edgerton, engineer; Bill Truitt, brakeman. (Frank Caughy, Jr .. relief foreman at Keddie. of $53. Lindee receives one dollar for this shot.) home at 1932 W. Elgin Street. With

22 MILEPOSTS MILEPOSTS 23 agement, show you the picture of h~s Los Angeles agent, etc., he was promoted to assist­ W. W. (BILL) NELSON, retired super­ intendent of transportation, was in the two-year-old son. We believe Walt IS This agency is sporting two new ant trainmaster January 1, 1946, which justified in feeling a bit proud. company automobiles, a snazzy blue position he held until granted sick office recently for one of his not-often visits. He looks fit as a fiddle and re­ Yardmaster "BOOMER" FORD was host and grey Nash, and an aqua Stude­ leave last fall. recently to his charming sister, Peggy baker. Traffic representatives are hard Y. BETTY HARRISON, stenographer in ports he is active in fratern~l work as well as with his wood-workmg hobby. Ford, from Las Vegas. put to keep their personal appearances WP general agent's office (S. N. Termi­ Second trick for we operators would on a par with their new transportation. nal Building), was granted a 90-day Happy days are ahead for Ro.Y be indeed dull-or should we say rest­ KEITH "BUTTERCUP" JOHNSON, our leave of absence to visit her family JONES agent at Woodland, who IS lookm: forward to his retirement on ful-were it not for the old master, most r ecent addition from the general in Fort Worth, Texas, account illness. g Dispatcher Lou GREBENC. office, has entered right into the spirit Her position is being filled by BARBARA May 30. of Hollywood by blossoming forth on WILLIAMS, recently of the Sacramento Wendover We all were glad to meet our gen­ Easter in a new powder blue gabardine Engineering Department of WP. Hotel Manager and Mrs. AL PITTMAN eral officers and hear the future plans suit with all the appropriate acces­ JANE PORTALUPPI, steno-clerk, gen­ were suddenly called to Oklahoma for our railroad, and wish to thank our sories, including two - tone saddle eral office, left April 18 to accompany account of the serious illness of Mr. President for the thoroughly enjoyable shoes. Understand, also, DORIS HILL, her Air Force husband to Tampa, Pittman's mother. dinner at Wendover. stenographer, is knitting him a pair of Florida, where he was transferred. Agent LEO WATERS and S~itch~an Chicago bright yellow, orange and kelly green Best of luck, Jane. TOM GARFIELD are both sportmg shmy Income Tax Exemption ... .FRED L. argyle socks to round out the outfit The welcome mat is out for SHIRLEY new Chevrolets. Do we have to say SWEENEY, JR., and spouse, Mary T., The line forms on the right, gals. PEW, who has been employed to fill "Mister" to get a ride home now? became Ma 'n' Pa on May 2. The poten­ General Agents LUND, Seattle, and the position vacated by Jane. Conductor PAT SULLIVAN, Salt Lake, tial schoolmarm is 7!f2-pound Celeste McMULLIN, Portland, spent a week in Careening down the wrong side of was hospitalized for a serious injury Therese. Mother is ex-school teacher, Southern California meeting the trade the highway, a car with several intoxi­ received in an auto accident there, and though Fred claims daughter re­ and inspecting local facilities in the cated passengers crashed head-on into but we understand he is now out of sembles father, he will soon be recelV­ interest of the Bieber Route - The the car of JIMMIE TAYLOR, general danger. That's not a pun! ing orders from two. Inside Gateway-traffic. The two per­ clerk, Sacramento freight station, on Switchman DAN LEE again on the Propaganda ... Can w e assume that sonable northerners made quite a April 2, while traveling between Rose­ second trick "yard goat." SHIRLEY LEE, BOB MUNCE is the Chamber of Com­ favorable impression on local shippers ville and Lincoln. Jimmie sustained a second trick telegrapher and wife of merce exponent who is always pou~i~g and receivers. As guests attending the fractured leg, rib, and contusions, and Dan, says she has big gardening ~lans "sunny Los Angeles" down our fngld 25th annual party of the Women's his wife, Margaret, received minor in­ for him now that he can sleep mghts. throats? And who in sunny Sacra­ Traffic Club of Los Angeles they set juries. Jimmie's pride and joy, a 1949 Teleg~apher DICK PFENNING, wife mento is so rightfully striving to keep an example that our local boys will Buick converti1;Jle, was demolished. and boys were weekend guests of fellow Sacramento-ers home? have a tough time equaling in future Chi~ago MERLE TAYLOR, revising clerk, Sac­ Section Foreman GLENN HALLAM and weather is either hot or cold-nght dealings with the local transportation ramento freight station, also local family at Silver Zone. now it "ain't so hot"! ladies. chairman B.R.C., is severing his serv­ Mrs. L. F. Ellis, wife of Telegrapher Wedding bells . . . Helen Frances Sacramento Northern ices with the S.N. May 15 to accept Lou ELLIS was called to Buffalo, New Warren daughter of EPFA JIM WAR­ MILTON ROBERT ROWE, 47, died in employment with the Delta Freight York, of her mother's illness. bec~use REN, to Edward L. Walsh, in a beautiful Yuba City General Hospital April 5 Lines. Best of luck, Merle, but don't Switchman TOM GARFIELD and wife, ceremony on April 29. Jim stood up from complications following amputa­ forget we handle freight. Essie May, spending their vacation in tion of left leg. His congenial and On May 5 G. K. LAUMER, superin­ San Francisco and the west coast. very well-not a bit nervous. He no:v knows what fine advice was offered m pleasant disposition will be missed by tendent of equipment, was also ap­ Yard Clerk JACK HAMPTON now on his many friends. Mr. Rowe grew up poin ted general storekeeper, with vacation. Just loafing for the first that excellent story, "Father of the on this property, having worked asa headquarters at Chico, replacing W. week with the second week undecided. Bride." J. CAVEN, who has been appointed news butcher on our passenger trains W~LTER PARKS , Oakland, managing Child strategy . . . Little Kenny while his mother was employed as supervisor of reclamation service on the hotel during Mr. Pittman's ab­ Rank, Jr., had been after dad, KEN, SR., a ticket clerk at Marysville. After the WP, with headquarters at Sacra­ sence, will, with practically no encour- (Continued on Page 27) service as warehouseman, ticket clerk, mento. 2S MILEPOSTS 24 M I LEPOSTS the nature of a command performance Conductor Roy Dryden and a return engagement from last year. Gordon MacRae, as the star, Retires tagged by radio editors in a nation­ By Helen R. Small wide poll as "the most promising star Completing half a century of rail­ of tomorrow," is steadily adding t6 his roading, of which the last 33 years fame as a radio, movie, and recording were with Western Pacific, Conductor baritone artist. Roy Dryden made his final trip on the The Summer Show Train, with a Fruit Block to Portola on April 26. top-flight crew and director, Ken Bur­ Born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, April ton, is a fine substitute for the favorite 26, 1885, Roy began his career as water of millions, the Railroad Hour. boy with a construction gang on the Missouri Pacific at Oklahoma in 1900 and climbed to position of general fore­ Caboosing ... man of reconstruction for that road. (Continued from Page 25) He later hired out as construction for a brace of Hopalong Cassidy six­ trainmaster for the MKT railroad, shooters. Trying to hold the bang:-bang double tracking that line between craze to a minimum, he was stalling a Atoka, Oklahoma, and Dennison, Tex. bit, when Jr. said: "I think I should After serving as brakeman on vari­ wait until I'm a little older and you ous middle west railroads, he came can get the kind that shoots real bul­ west to Oroville to make his home and hired out as brakeman on the WP in Western Pacific's stati0l"!- in Reno before and during the fire of March 20, which began from a faulty lets." Jr. now has his brace of six-guns, fu~nace, and caused conslderable damage to the little three-story brick·faced building that has been some­ non-lethal! 1917 at Portola, was promoted to con­ thmg of a ~andmark ~h~re f~)f many years. Built by the Nevada-California-Oregon Railway, that company ductor in 1923, and was appointed first occupied the bUI~dlOg m January, 1910. Sold to WP by agreement of March 24, 1917, operations of March of Time ... Just to show that the N.-C-O from Reno to Hackstaff were discontinued January 30, 1918. and WP operations from Reno none of us are getting any younger, assistant tranmaster in charge of work Junctton to Reno comme?ced February .3, 1918, at which time WP first occupied the bui1din~ . Besides trains at Sand Pass, Nevada, in 1929. WP, Agent Charles J. Fischer. the station serves as offices for Holland Livestock Co., National Car­ the baby of our office, VERA SAFRANEK, load 109 Corp., and Dalton LaRue, accountant. Regarded as "one of the nicest small-town depots in the Moving to Keddie, he remained there West," it has not served as a passenger station for many years. pranced into the office Easter Monday with a beautiful five-diamond plati­ during the construction of the Bieber St. Louis O/lice New Railroad Hour Show num you know what. His name: Ray Line, upon the completion of which he The Railroad Hour will change pace Kozelka. "Cast thou eyes around no returned to train service in the Feather On May 1, 1950, our general agent's River Canyon until his retirement. office in St. Louis, Mo., moved to new on Monday, May 29, when the Summer more, Chum ..." Conductor Dryden and wife have headquarters in Suite 473, Arcade Show Train replaces the weekly musi­ Flash ... Chicago's WP staff of elec­ raised a fine family, consisting of two Building, 812 Olive Street, in that city. cal romances heard over the NBC net­ tronics experts have now succeeded in Working with General Agent John work during the winter season. affixing a television screen to the-tele­ sons and one daughter. F . McKenzie are Joseph F. Slattery and With Carmen Dragon's orchestra type machine, so please don't bother As Dryden passed through Keddie George M. Smith, traffic representa­ and a chorus directed by Norman us with messages while the ball games on his last run, he was handed a mes­ tives; Irene Schuepbach, secretary; Luboff supporting the stars, the sum­ are on. Wish it were true. sage from his old friend, Bill Clemens, Kenneth R. Queensen, clerk, and Wil­ mer version will offer light classical Congrats to ... Our own BOB Sacramento dispatcher, which read: liam A. Linehan, Jr., steno-clerk. and popular music and songs. Each RITCHIE, Minneapolis, just elected as "Understand in about two hours you Also working from this agency are program will depict highlights in the Director of Traffic Club of Minne­ will have the hay in the barn and begin Clifton M. Cobb, traffic representative, world of entertainment during a par­ apolis. Bob is also vice-president of a well-earned vacation. May it be d 7103 Lake Shore Drive, Dallas, Texas, ticular year, in a kind of tuneful tour "Off Line Agents Division" of the long and happy one, with no knuckles and Charles R. Matheny, traffic repre­ of the past half century, ending on a Traffic Club of Minneapolis. We are to pack or hot boxes to repack. Pencil sentative, 1006 Grand Avenue, Kansas modern note. represented by a swell guy. and book to carry no more. We will City, Mo. Lucille Norman's starring role is in (Continued on Page 28) miss you, boy. Have fun." 27 26 MILEPOSTS MILEPOSTS dance interpretations, at which Lillian Modern design ... Poor GERRY COF­ friends with whom I have been asso­ duties as a junior signal draftsman. FEY, trying to get the circuit on our ciated during my years with WP. My Bruce sports a lO-year service pin. is quite adept. new teletype machine. Every time he thanks again for your kindly thoughts It goes without saying that all ~em­ Back from a grand trip to Honolulu, moved a finger towards the keyboard, and wishes expressed in this manner." bel's of the signal department enjoyed BETH DEATHERIDGE, law department the clickety-clack sound indicated Acting Signal Engineer FRED A. the recent dinners and talks given by secretary, could very easily furnish someone el.se had beat him to it. Gerry TEGELER'S three-year-old son is soon our President and members of his staff. MILEPOSTS with complete coverage. gave up. ROSE LUPE and ROSE MARIE to have a little brother-or a sister­ We-all understand that BOB GRIMES Space does not permit, but any~ne FITZGERALD volunteered to (wo) man according to good authority. of the treasurer's office is "a-goin' back interested in the Islands can receive the machine, but everyone flocked CHARLIE RHINES, signal department to Texas" wide-open spaces for his much encouragement from Beth, who around until it came time to select draftsman, who just completed an ex­ vacation. But it isn't true that he IS claims there is no place like it. Aloha! operators-then what a busy flock we cellent job of designing the circuits going to borrow MARY RATHBURN .and EMMA MCCLURE, chief clerk, law were. for the Portola to Weso territory, bid husband's shiny new Pan-Amencan department, and daughter, Lynn, just San Francisco in the foreman's job on Signal Gang red Nash convertible-latest model. r eturned from a "wonderful trip" to LOIS DRAGOO sends the following No.7. The office will miss you, Charlic. He sho-nuff ain't! Washington, Boston and New Yor:k message to her many friends at WP: MARGIE GLATT, stenographer - clerk, JOHN COUPIN, general agent, ad­ City, which included a visit to CarnegIe "Through MILEPOSTS I wish to convey sustained a sprained thumb when she dressed the Women's Traffic Club of Hall and doing a Broadway play prac­ my thanks and deep appreciation to took a bad fall upon leaving the Fair­ Oakland during April. tically every night while in the big each one who contributed toward the mont Hotel after the WP dinner party. JOE BOOTHROYD has been very much city. With sightseeing tours schedule.d gifts presented to me upon my retire­ As she was assisted Margie wailed, missed around the mail-room, and his each day, they made the most of their ment. The gifts were lovely as well "And I didn't even have a drink!" rapid recovery from pneumonia is "much-too-short" vacation. as useful, besides being things I had Congratulations and best wishes to wished for by all. ROBERT BELL, steno. - clerk in the always wished to possess. They will BRUCE McNEIL, who just recently came JOE CORVEN, engineering valuation manifest department, has been han­ serve as constant reminders of kind to this office from the field to assume department, is on a two-month leave dling the mail during JOE BOOTHR~YD'S of absence. absence account of illness, assIsted With LOGAN PAINE and KENNETH from time to time by TONY QUILL, ex­ LEWIS both out of the President's of­ expediter of the mails. fice account of illness, MRS. RUTH New clerk in the treasurer's office SCHNEIDER secretary to AFTM CURTISS, is JOE FLYNN, recently associated with was called upstairs to pinch hit. A the Pacific Motor Tr ucking Co. Wel­ brave girl-one among nine nice guys. come to WP, Joe. "Don't ever break your ankle," ad­ A newcomer to WP is JOE MATSON, vises SALLY RIDEOUT , recently of the recent graduate of U.C. In fact, Joe traffic department and now secretary waited for an opening in WP's traffic to IAN FERG~SON, special assista!'t, per­ file department because he had heard sonnel, dunng LILLIAN NAVONE S leave such good reports about the company. of absence. While riding double up the Another traffic department opening J -Bar tow for that last run down was filled by DUDLEY THICKENS , for­ Badger Pass slopes on the last day ~f merly clerk on the steamer desk at the ski season, Sally got her SkIS Eighth and Brannan. crossed, which was a li~t1e too much The general auditor's office also has for her ankle. She thmks summer a new traveling accountant. JOHN sports are wonderful. MURRAY most recently worked for Bound for sunny Italy, Switzerland State of California, San Francisco Ex­ Present at Miss Dragoo's farewell lunch were: Back row-Leah Lathrop, Vivian Dunn, Ruth Trimm, and other Mediterranean ports with aminer and D. N. & E. Walter Co., spe­ Mary Grubb (former employe), Charlotte Williams, Pearl Cunha, John Rossi and Paul Jenner. Front her parents is LILLIAN NAVONE. Prob­ row-Lillian Navone, Beth Deatherage, Lois Dragoo, Katherine Rossi, Lois Heiman and Richard Beltz. cializing in machine accounting. - ably will come back with some new

28 MILEPOSTS MILEPOSTS • SPORTS •

SOFTBALL Up against top flight pitching by Crown Zellerbach, WP could gather After highballing to a 22 to 4 victory only seven scattered hits, good for six over the W. P . Fuller nine in their first runs, while the paper boys crossed the San Francisco Men's Industrial League plate ten times. game, WP's softball team suffered three consecutive derailments agamst Cal The railroaders are determined to Pack, Royal Insurance, and Crown make a good showing in their final game against Globe of California and, Zellerbach nines. Leading 7 to 2 in the fifth inning of while their final standing may not be the game with Cal Pack, and after what they had hoped for, they were scoring one more run in the top half in there trying all the time. of the sixth, WP's pitcher, Don John­ Batting averages for the four games, son ran into trouble, walking six bat­ shown in batting order, are as follows: ter~ and allowing one hit in the last Runs of the sixth, to give the Packers seven Player A.B. Hits Walks Scored Avg. Jim Mills .___ 15 8 2 8 .533 runs. The game ended with WP on the Bob Ditty __ _ 17 8 I 6 .471 losing end of a 9 to 8 score. J ack Ditty ______16 7 0 6 .438 Jim Dillon, Jr- ____ 16 5 2 4 .313 Some of the same kind of trouble Don Johnson.... 12 4 4 5 .300 John Dullea__ __ 7 2 2 4 .286 put the railroaders on the losing end John Mills ______II 3 5 6 .273 Busy addressing the last issue are, from left: Mary Rathburn at the tying machine; Tommy ShowIer, of a 17 to 15 score against the Royal Tony Palladino .. .. 12 3 6 9 .250 addressing; and Minette Pope, making new addressograph plates. Al Johnson ______10 2 5 3 .200 .000 Insurance nine when the latter team Don Hanson ...... 6 O. 0 0 SPEAKING OF Mn.E:POSTS ... scored seven r~ns with eight hits, in­ cluding three doubles and two home Don Hanson races for first in the game with Royal Through the many letters and comments that have been received from runs in the seventh. Insurance, while Bob Ditty acts as coach. employees since we began sending MILEPOSTS to your home, we are glad to learn that you like the idea. We thought you might be interested in seeing just how your copy of MILEPOSTS is addressed. Credit for this work goes to our Treasury Department who have complete modern addressograph equipment. If you are not receiving MILEPOSTS at the correct address, it is only because you have not notified the Treasury Department of your latest address. If you will drop them a card, giving your old and new addresses, you will be assured of receiving your magazine at the correct address and on time. You may obtain copies of back issues by writing the Editor. We have been fortunate in recently adding to our staff of correspondents along the railroad, as the masthead shows, and i t is hoped that in a short time the Caboosing columns will provide complete coverage of the entire WP system. Your correspondents are doing a splendid job in reporting news from their various locations. If you feel your office, station or locality is not fully repre­ sented, won't you please aid your correspondent in providing him or her with any news you think would be interesting to the members of the Western Pacific family. You may be assured your cooperation will be appreciated. 30 MILEPOSTS Sec. 34.66, P. L. & R. WESTERN PACIFIC MILEPOSTS U. S. POSTAGE 526 Mission St., San Francisco 5, Calif. PAID Return and Forwarding Postage Gy.aranteed San Francisco, Calif. Permit No. 5371

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The Milwaukee Road will again place in service for the summer season The Hiawatha-North Woods section. • • The Golden State, through diesel-powered trans-continental train between Chicago and Los Angeles, operated over the Rock Island-Southern Pacific Golden State Route, will be placed on a 44-hour and IS-minute schedule in each direction, effective· . May .. 28. A new completely streamlined diesel-powered train, known as the Fla-mbeau "400," goes into operation late in May between Chicago and Ashland, Wisconsin, over the Chicago and North Western. • • • The Frisco Lines have announced new and improved service on their Diesel-powered Kansas City-Florida Special to Florida. / • • • Mor'e than 35 per cent of the New York Central Railroad's locomotive mileage will be dieselized or electrified with receipt of new Diesel-electric locomotives now on order. • • • The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad has launched an advertising campaign this year to attract visitors to Washington, D. C., referring to that city as "city of the century" in their advertising media. • • • A Great Northern diesel and dormitory coach made a 50-mile special run April 8 during a blizzard to carry 7-year-old Karen Biem, stricken with pneumonia and pos­ sible ruptured appendix, to a Scobey, Montana, hospital from Opheim. Karen is alive today-thanks to GN employee volunteers and company cooperation.