ON THE COVER
Ernest E. Norris, acclaimed as one of America's foremost railroad executives and citizens, who has requested retirement on December 31 as president of the Southern, extends hearty congratulations and best wishes to his successor, Harry A. DeButts (left) , who has been elected by our Board of Directors to take over as president on January 1.
Vice-president in charge of operation of the Southern since 1937, Mr. DeButts brings to our railway's top post a wealth of know-how, initiative and understanding that stems from the day in 1916 when he began wielding pick and shovel as a student track apprentice at Culpeper, Va., under the expert tutelage of Section Foreman John Gilbert.
