The Harvey Boy

The Fred Harvey system, famed for the fine food with which it has lined the stomachs of Western rail travelers, last week got a new president. Byron Schemerhorn Harvey Jr. is a grandson of the founder. Young (39), well-tailored Mr. Harvey, connoisseur of Indian art and holder of a master’s degree in restaurant management from the University of Chicago, succeeded his father, who moved up to the board chairmanship. When M-G-M recently paid tribute to the Harvey system in The Harvey Girls, Byron Harvey was technical adviser, played a small part.

As he stepped into his new job, President Harvey let out, for the first time, the earnings of the family-owned enterprise. In 1945 its hotels, depot dining rooms, dining cars and retail shops did a $37 million gross business, up 6% over 1944.