IN MEMORIAM

WILLIAM KISSAM VANDERBILT

Born October 26, 1878—Died January 8, 1944
President, New York Central Lines, June 1, 1918 to June 1, 1919

At a meeting of the Board of Directors of The New York Central Railroad Company held January
12, 1944, the following memorial was adopted and directed to be entered upon the records of the
Company; attested under the seal of the Company by the President and Secretary, and sent to his family
as an expression of deep sympathy:

William Kissam Vanderbilt, a Director of this Company since its formation on December 23, 1914,
was the elder son of William K. Vanderbilt, Sr., long associated with this Company and its predecessor
companies as officer or Director, and a great grandson of Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt, whose fore¬
sight and ability were so largely instrumental in joining together for operating purposes the principal
railroads now forming the New York Central System.

Mr. Vanderbilt, after studying at Harvard University during the years 1897-1899, became associated
with the New York Central Lines in 1903, becoming a Director of The Lake Shore and Michigan South¬
ern Railway Company in 1904, of The Michigan Central Railroad Company in 1905, of The Pittsburgh
and Lake Erie Railroad Company in 1906, of The Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railway
Company in 1909, and of The New York Central and Hudson River Railroad Company in 1910, and a
Vice President of the latter Company in 1912. During the troubled days of the First World War he served
as President of this Company from June 1, 1918, to June 1, 1919.

Mr. Vanderbilt was greatly interested in all means of transportation, by land, sea and air. The
Vanderbilt Cup Races did much to quicken the interest of the public in the improvement of the auto¬
mobile in its early days. His interest in navigation is evidenced by his Master's Certificate, his long asso¬
ciation with the Naval Reserve, and the collection of rare creatures of the sea and strange marine plants
gathered from his voyaging in his own ships in far seas. He was also interested in aviation and piloted
his own plane over many lands.

His primary transportation interest was, however, the New York Central System, with which he was
associated for over forty years; a period which saw the unification of smaller companies into compact
systems, the installation of heavier power and increased weight of rail, the strengthening of bridges, the
improvement of terminals and the construction of new shops and signalling; a period marked by such an
advance in the efficiency of rail transportation that the tremendous increase of traffic brought about by the
present World War has been handled promptly and acceptably. To this constructive work, Mr. Vanderbilt
gave untiringly of his time and effort. His broad knowledge of transportation conditions and his balanced
judgment of railroad economics were ever at the service of his company and its officers in shaping a sound
transportation policy.

Mr. Vanderbilt was also interested in the welfare of railroad employees and gave liberally to the
Railroad Young Men's Christian Association and other such agencies. His kindliness and thoughtfulness
for the railroad men with whom he came in contact evidenced the democratic spirit that ever actuated
him.                                                                                                                                                     ..   ^    .

In his untimely passing this Board loses the valued advice and discriminating judgment of a most
courteous, considerate and able associate.