Cary T. Grayson Diary

Cary T. Grayson Diary

Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938

WWP17219

1919 July 7

An entry in Cary T. Grayson's diary from the Paris Peace Conference, dated 7 July 1919.

Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia

English

The President rested late and at luncheon the conversation turned to various stories. The President expressed the opinion that the second best American story, following very close on the story of President McKinley and the Irish laborer, was the story which had for its chief actors formefrPresident Van Horne and O’Shaughnessy, the “railway builders” of the Dominion of Canada. Both men began in minor positions on the Canadian Pacific Railway. Van Horne held a minor official position on the railroad, while O’Shaughnessy was a section boss. A vacancy ocurered in Van Horne’s department and O’Shaughnessy, determined that he would get that job if it were possible. So with his hat on his head and his pipe in his mouth, he stalked into Van Horne’s office, passing through the door without knocking, and leaning across the desk, he said: “Boss, I want that job.” Van Horne looked up and scowled and then turned around to O’Shaughnessy and said: “What do you mean by coming into this office without knocking, and what do you mean by asking for a job in that tone of voice. Take that pipe out of your mouth when you come in this office.” O’Shaughnessy looked at him for a minute in bewilderment, and then turned on his heel and walked out. A minute later there was a knock on the door and Van Horne yelled “Come in”. O’Shaughnessy walked through the door and as he did so he took off his hat and took his pipe out of his mouth. He then stood in a respectful attitude on the other side of the desk and addressing Mr. Van Horne said: “Mr. Van Horne, I understand there is a vacancy in your department and I would like to apply for the job.” Van Horne said: “Yes, Mr. O’Shaughnessy, there is a vacancy. Do you think that you can do the work?” O’Shaughnessy said: “I can, and to show you, here are some letters of reference which are extremely good.” Van Horne, after reading them, said: “I think you can have the job, Mr. O’Shaughnessy. Your qualifications seem satisfactory.” O’Shaughnessy, resuming his hat and sticking his pipe in his mouth, turned to Van Horne and said: “You and your job can go to hell. I don’t want it.” Van Horne realizing that he had the man whom he needed for the job, jumped up and grasping him by the hand said “Let’s go out and have a drink and forget it.” And thus another railroad king was made.

The President attended the moving pictures, and at the conclusion of the pictures the usual song of “God be with you till we meet again” was sung.

Diary