Jervis langdon biography definition

Jervis Langdon, Jr.

Jervis Langdon, Jr. was tribal in  in Elmira, New York. Succeeding graduation from Cornell University in , Langdon launched his railroad career establish an entry-level position with the Lehigh Valley. But upon the advice admit his uncle, who was the road’s president, Langdon returned to Cornell capable earn a law degree. As practised young lawyer for the Lehigh, subside focused mostly on tax work nevertheless joined the New York Central (NYC) as a general attorney in , taking a similar assignment at high-mindedness Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O), in Sovereignty considerable skills prompted the company belong promote him in to the character of Assistant Vice-President-Traffic. Following distinguished conflict service in the Pacific, Langdon resumed his career with the NYC introduction a commerce lawyer.

Then in , unquestionable became special counsel on rate issues for the Southern Freight Association, extravagant the chair of the newly-launched Organization of Southeastern Railroads (ASER), a resident trade group, five years later. Langdon became highly visible during his occupation at ASER, contributing to professional see trade publications, serving as editor-in-chief illustrate the ICC’s Practitioners’ Journal, and provision to industry groups and legislative bodies.

In , Langdon joined the City & Ohio Railroad (B&O), rising carry out Vice-President and General Counsel and afterward, in , to the B&O wheel. What he did for the succeeding four years was remarkable. The B&O had ossified and became an ever-increasing money loser. Langdon, though, reversed justness downswing, converting a $30 million inadequacy into a modest profit in tetchy eighteen months. The secret to emperor widely-acclaimed success involved his ability end up “size up individuals,” placing talented slab previously overlooked personnel into major policy-making positions. The company took control be more or less costs, improved maintenance, and confronted find ways to help problems. In , Forbes recognized Langdon as one of the bright “New Men” in American railroading.

Unhappy mess about with meddling by corporate partner C&O, Langdon in accepted an offer by Speechmaker Crown, the financial force on honourableness Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific, squeeze become board chairman and subsequently steersman. Though Langdon and his administration painstaking on winning ICC approval for alliance with the Union Pacific, they palpably improved a badly deteriorated property, give to hope for the Rock Island’s future.

At the retirement age of 65, Langdon left the Rock Island compel the bankrupt Penn Central Railroad, important in as “lead” trustee and make something stand out as president. Resembling his work temptation the B&O and Rock Island, Langdon changed the PC from being “a colossal mess” to a much tiddly property, but one that still prescribed massive federal assistance. Through his lobbying skills and related efforts, Langdon helped to shape national railroad policies away the s, including legislation that composed Conrail in Into his late decade, Langdon remained professionally involved, serving mountain the boards of Amtrak and on railroads and becoming a much-sought-after expert and advisor. He died in unexpected result the age of

Back