The trail of the swinging lanterns

“A pale faced fanatic” Geo. J. Charlton never was and never will be—so his friends declare. The metamorphosis would too grievously trouble him in spirit and torture his avoirdupois. Glance again at the features and physical contour of the Passenger Traffic Manager of “Chicago & Alton,” the cap sheaf to a cluster of four sister transportation corporations, and contradict me, ye phrenological bump feelers, if the X rays do not locate there a large, sympathetic heart, optimism profound, great capacity for work and the ability to enjoy and “Spend money like a sailor.”

Ever since the time his education began in the private and public schools of his birthplace, Hamilton, Canada, where in boyhood he “Snapped the whip” and operated in the moonlit melon patch, George Charlton has been in the centre of the doings. His must have been the hypnotic eye, or he carried one of those heavily charged horse shoe magnets, for the boys and girls all liked him and gravitated in his direction without know-why. How many of his classmates have since made the same good use of their time, think you.

His father was a railroader of international repute, and nurtured in an atmosphere of “ticket affairs,” it was not unnatural the boy’s name should first appear on a railway pay roll in 1875 as messenger in the general passenger department of Chicago & Alton Road.

Thus began the zig zag but successful ascent of Mount Obstacle, covering a span of forty-three years. He was cast out of the right kind of metal and did not falter at the prospect or prove a time server when acting the role of junior, conductor’s clerk, ticket stock recorder, passenger sales accountant and rate expert.

Invariably devoting the best that was in him to his work, he soon realized that the position of understudy conscientiously performed, was a wise and diplomatic plan of action leading to unexpected possibilities. On March 14th, 1885, Mr. Charlton came within the arc of the limelight as Assistant General Passenger Agent of the “Alton.” January 1st, 1900, witnessed him accomplish the next logical move in advancing to the position of General Passenger Agent, and during a seven years tenure his jurisdiction was extended to the Toledo, St. Louis & Western Railway, styled the Clover Leaf Route. During December, 1909, the Corporation’s President gave him the right to have emblazoned on his business cards the title he bears to-day.

While this panorama of promotions glides without hindrance across the page to the reader’s brain, he can only imagine but should not overlook the monotonous toil, concentration of purpose and rebuffs smiled down behind the scenes by our subject long before a recital in this form was possible.

The best opportunity to truly sound the depth of a man’s character is to work with and beside him. As you may surmise, George Charlton’s manner of speech and demeanor towards his staff of employees is not rapid, cold and repellant, but a reflection of the desire pulsating within him to interchange enthusiasm, co-operation and loyalty with others, measure for measure. Woe betide the luckless mortal, however, who rouses his ire by flagrantly violating these commandments. This gentleman of tremendous energy and democratic inclinations, always finds time to fraternize with his men, meeting them as equals and apparently enjoying their society as much as they appreciate his.

Kindliness and generosity are his cardinal virtues. They have won for him the affection and compel the highest possible respect of his confreres and those characteristics, coupled with recognized ability, loom large when one attempts an inventory of the causes underlying his success.

The far reaching effect of the recent order issued by Mr. W. G. McAdoo, Director General of Railroads in United States, necessitating the release of many employees of the “Alton” who had been loyal members of Mr. Charlton’s railway family, distressed him keenly and quickened his broad sympathies. He immediately became “a welcome pest” to his influential friends, through unremitting efforts to assist his reluctantly departing staff to other suitable employment.

George Charlton is a votary of Comus, the ancient and rotund god of Merriment and that mythological personage ranks next to his patron saints. He is a well known society and club member, identified with at least a dozen organizations including the Hoos Hoos, Elks, Yacht Club, South Shore Country Club, Union League, Chicago, Green Room Club and Lambs Club, New York; also Hamilton Old Boys’ Association.

He is immensely popular with the traveling public and “man in the street” and they, having in mind the Passenger Traffic Manager of that triangular route linking Chicago, St. Louis and Kansas City, agree that the wise man was right when he said “A merry heart doeth good like medicine.”

Under other names, the Great Northern Railway owns, leases and operates subsidiary lines in Western Canada, of which the Vancouver, Victoria & Eastern Railway & Navigation Company is the principal—comprising a total mileage of 760 miles and entry is made into Canada by crossing the international border at thirteen different points.

The modern terminal of the V.V. & E.R. & N. Co., Vancouver, B.C., which is owned jointly with Northern Pacific Railway Co., cost over $600,000.