The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 3, Issue 2 (June 1, 1928)
A Capable Railway President
A Capable Railway President
When Sir Josiah C. Stamp was chosen to occupy the high position of president for the London, Midland and Scottish Railway, the company found they had a great leader. His adaptability to environment is one characteristic that makes for his success. It was thus that he was able to score heavily with a Scots audience at Glasgow in a recent speech.
The L.M.S. Railway, Sir Josiah Stamp stated, had 729 miles of line from Euston to Wick, and 430 miles of that stretch were in Scotland earning one-seventh of the receipts, so that Scotland played a by no means negligible part in that great modern phenomenon. As a Glasgow schoolboy said when asked a question in geography, Great Britain was divided into three parts—London, Midland, and Scottish. (Laughter.) In America, where he had been several times in recent years, the railways had a great mileage, but when they asked him about his line he told them that he would not take two and a half billion dollars cash for it, as its value was far more than anything they had in America. When he added that it carried as many passengers as the five biggest lines in Eastern America put together, even the American was prepared to pay them a little respect.
Americans’ Impressions.
Staff Co-operation.
Referring to the meetings which had been held with the view of securing co-operation among the members of the staff, Sir Josiah Stamp said these had been very successful in Scotland, where the reception accorded the movement had been magnificent. He had been told Scottish people did not like changes and were suspicious of new-fangled ideas. He did not believe that. They might be more careful and watchful, but when they realised it was a good thing they seized upon it more quickly than anybody else. (Laughter and applause.)