Norwich Sun, Thursday, April 13, 1939
Ontario and Western Executives in City, Optimistic Over Future
In a good will tour over the entire line, officials of the N.Y. O. & W. R.R. were in this city Wednesday expressing to businessmen, industries and city officials, their appreciation for the cooperation extended to them. In a statement made here Wednesday afternoon, E. R. Morris of New York, coal traffic manager of the Ontario and Western said “Because of the splendid cooperation we have received and the increased revenues to the road from the increased business, it is quite definitely assured that there will be no discontinuance or abandonment of any branches of the road.”
Coming to this city in a special car from Walton, the party included in addition to Morris, the following: Frederic E. Lyford, trustee of the road, George Zabriskie, freight and traffic manager; R. D. Gray and E. J. Ellis, general freight agents, all of New York City; J. M. Hurley of Middletown, agricultural and industrial agent; J. E.Powers of Oneida, division freight agent; and R. E. Wright of Middletown, district freight agent.
Mr. Morris said that “the flying squadron of good will ambassadors” is visiting every city and village along the lines “simply to tell these communities, they businessmen and industries, that the cooperation extended to the road is heartily appreciated and increased revenues are making the picture a might brighter one.”
Twelve men assembled from all agencies including Kansas City, Chicago and Pittsburgh as well as officials of the road are in the flying squadron. In addition to the officials who visited Norwich others on the good will tour to other branches and along the main line are L. V. Cooper, general agent at Kansas City; George A. Lou, commercial agent at Pittsburgh; R. J. Sullivan, general agent at Boston; and F. J. Kinney, general agent at New Haven.
Mr. Morris said that wages and salaries paid by the Ontario and Western in communities along the line provide a sizable purchasing power. Based on a $3 million annual payroll, the road represents an important buyer’s market.
Agents from the Utica and New Berlin branches, numbering 15 attended a meeting with members of the good will tour in their special car Wednesday night. Mr. Lyford, trustee, in addressing the agents expressed great optimism over the future and pointed out the substantial gains made.”I am intensely pleased with the cooperation accorded by the city of Norwich and this cooperation is very much appreciated,” he said.
Similar meetings were held Monday and Tuesday with agents at Middletown and Walton. The party of officials left Norwich Thursday morning for Utica and Oneida with a m meeting in the latter city Thursday night. Friday the officials will visit Oswego whee they plan to spend the weekend. In company with Frank L. Hamilton, Ontario and Western agent here, the officials called upon many Norwich businessmen Wednesday and personally expressed their appreciation of the cooperation extended to the line.
