San Diego and Arizona Railway Personnel
Fred L. Annable
Fred L. Annable Retires; Changes on SD&AE
Southern Pacific Bulletin, July 1940, Page 9
Retirement of Fred L. Annable as president and general Manager of the San Diego & Arizona Eastern Railway was effective June 1, together with other important changes in the official staff of the railway.
A. T. Mercier, well known in San Diego by reason of his residence there when he was president of the SD&AE from 1927 to 1929, succeeded Mr. Annable as president of the road. At the same time Mr. Mercier retains his position as vice president, executive department of the Southern Pacific, with headquarters in San Francisco.
D. J. Russell became vice president and general manager of the SD&AE, having immediate direction over the operation of the road. Headquarters of Mr. Russell, who is also superintendent of SP's Los Angeles division, are in San Diego and Los Angeles. This will have the general effect of bringing the parent company, Southern Pacific, into closer relationship with the shipping and traveling public of San Diego.
In addition to these changes among the executive and operating officers, changes were announced also in the traffic department. A. D. Hagaman became traffic manager of the San Diego & Arizona Eastern, continuning as DF&PA for SP. F.B. Dorsey was appointed assistant traffic manager.
Mr. Annable retires after 47 years continuous railroad service, 11 years with the SD&AE as president. He began his railroad career with the Santa Fe in 1893, at San Bernardino, serving in various capacities for more than 10 years. From 1904 to 1910 he was with the Southern Pacific and the Los Angeles and Salt Lake lines. In the latter year he was made general superintendent of the Arizona & Swansea Railroad and in 1911 took a position on the official staff of the Pacific Electric Railway. He became general superintendent of that property in 1913, which position he held until 1929, when he was made president and general manager of the SD&AE at San Diego. Greatly interested in civic and cultural affairs, Mr. Annable has sereved as president of the San Diego Chamber of Commerce and as an officer or director of other community organizations.
The San Diego & Arizona Eastern Railway is a wholly owned subsidiary of the SP. Its main line extends from San Diego eastward to connection with SP lines at El Centro in the Imperial Valley.
