A. I have never given government organization much attention. The part of the government that concerns me most is the Interstate Commerce Commission, which seems made up mainly of inspectors.
Q. Have you ever studied the organization of the federal courts, and of the army and the navy?
A. I can hardly say that I have studied their organization, but I have observed them some.
Q. Then you and your road do not give much attention to organization?
A. Perhaps not to theories. We are very practical. I never could see where a railway is like the government. They are very different.
Q. Is not human nature the same in its basic characteristics, whether employed by a railway or the government?
A. I suppose that it is, but many things about a corporation are different.
Q. Is not the government the largest of employing corporations with its citizens as the stockholders?
A. Perhaps so. I would rather go on and tell you something practical about our work.
A. You see, I am the responsible head, so that I insist upon being consulted about all important matters, and leave only routine affairs to be acted on by my subordinates.
Q. What are important matters, and what are routine affairs?
A. Why, the important things are those that I handle personally, and routine, well, routine is what comes along every day and is so well understood that it does not require my personal attention.
Q. Do you think any three men could agree upon what should be considered routine business?
A. I don't know. I had never thought of it that way. Many things have to be left to discretion. That is where judgment comes in.
A. The judgment of the man handling the matter; in this case, my own.
Q. You have been here all day. Who is handling matters in your absence?
Q. You did not mention him before. What officer is he?
A. He is not usually counted as an officer, but is considered the personal representative of an officer.
A. Yes, sir; but puts his initials under my name.
Q. Suppose he forgets to put his initials. Could you swear to the signature in court?
A. I don't know. You understand that is only for routine business.
Q. Does he sign your name to your personal bank check?
Q. Then the company's business with the citizens of this state receives less careful attention than your own personal affairs?