From the Janauary, 1914 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine
ERIE RAILROAD LAKE LINE DIVISION.
By H. C. Snyder, Assistant General Freight Agent, Chicago, Ill.

John C. Maclay, Superintendent, Buffalo, N.Y.
The excellent schedule maintained by our boats during the season of navigation, 1913, as covered by reports that have been sent to our rcpresentatives, was second to none on the Great Lakes and, we believe, much better than the average for regularity, as well as providing a service to meet our patrons requirements. The operating conditions of the Lake Line can be compared somewhat to the commanding of a regiment. While the General, as a rule, is not always on the firing line with his troops, his position is the responsible one, because of his having to direct operations from a distance. In connection with the service above mentioned we have had Mr. John C. Maclay, Superintendent at Buffalo, who has been back of the good record referred to ind we take pleasure in introducing him to the many readers of this issue, who have not had the privilege of meeting him personally.

Mr. Maclay has been connected with marine affairs practically all his life. Like the majority of marine men, he was influenced in his choice because his father was a steamboat man, and it was with him that he had his first experience, serving in the positions of linesman and fireman on tugs and steamboats around Buffalo Harbor, Niagara River, Hudson River and the waters surrounding New York. In 1879 he entered the service of the Union Steamboat Company (now Erie Railroad Transit Line), in its Canal Line Office at Buffalo. This brought him in contact with the interchange of traffic between the Canal and Lake Lines. In 1890 he became Chief Clerk and Cashier of the joint office of the Wabash Lake Line and the Minneapolis, St. Paul & Buffalo Steamship Company (Soo Line) at Buffalo. In 1899 he was appointed General Agent for these lines, as well as Agent for the American Transit Canal Line. Such experiences lead to larger fields, that come to men who make most of the opportunities that come to them, which develops them for greater responsibilities, so that in the Spring of 1910, when Mr. Maclay came to the Union Steamboat Line as Assistant Manager, he was well equipped for the work in hand. When the office of the Manager was transferred to New York in 1912, he was appointed Superintendent of the Line at Buffalo.

Those who are best acquainted with Mr. Maclay appreciate his sterling qualities and also know of his untiring efforts to make the Lake Line operations yield to the Traffic Department every possible assistance in the securing and holding of business.