The death of Louis Cordelle

         Mr Cordelle, head of the West Algerian railways, has just died. He died at 39 years old, devastated by the implacable evil, when his health for a moment seemed to allow him to leave France to complete his recovery.
More authoritative voices than ours will say the high technical competence of Mr Cordelle former student of the Polytechnic, former artillery officer, noticed from the beginning in the superior administration of the railways, distinguished by the board of directors of the West-Algerian and called by him, almost two years ago, to the prominent position he held.
But we can and do say here how grateful it is for all the people in our region for the great progress made in the service of the West-Algèrian railways.
Mr Cordelle had many friends in Bel-Abbès, his exact and constant courtesy, the aménity of his welcome, the charm of his words which led to a high intellectual culture combined with great kindness, all contributed to the creation of an irresistible current of sympathy among those who approached him.
Perhaps rarer, the Chief of Operations too soon disappeared, carries the respect and deep affection of all employees under his command.
From the beginning, he was impelled by qualities beyond the rank of a truly superior. His sharpness of sight, the clarity and precision of his orders, his calm and unwavering firmness quickly obtained to provoke in the most active staff emulation. On the other hand, all agents, from the highest to the humblest, recognized in him an extremely generous heart, attentive to their grievances, even anxious to guess and provoke all the useful measures, to satisfy or relieve them. They knew that his tireless activity, his concern to see everything for himself, was accompanied by the most solid and delicate indulgence.
May the unanimous regret of this premature death, reach to Mrs Cordelle and her children, to the old parents who mourn the dear one who has disappeared, it will not bring its doubts of a reduction sensitive to their grief, but it may give them the sad consolation to feel all the bel-abbésian population vibrate with the most respectful sympathy in the face of such profound and legitimate pain.

The news of the death of Mr Cordelle in the West-Algerian, produced a painful emotion. Although recently in Bel-Abbès, Mr Cordelle had known by the generosity of his character, his affability and his benevolence, his fairness and his righteousness, gaining the esteem, confidence, respect and affection of all his subordinates.
He is therefore unanimously regretted by them.
To his private qualities, Mr Cordelle joined those of an scholar and a perfect administrator. It is a significant loss for the company of the West-Algerian and for all the staff.
We join the many friends of the deceased in expressing our sincere condolences to his widow and family.

                          NECROLOGY

         Yesterday morning, a very painful news plunged a large part of the population of Bel Abbes into sadness.
         We were learning that Mr. CORDELLE, Head of the Western Algerian Operations, who was suffering from a cruel illness, had suddenly died in the night, while his family, staff and friends were already expecting his next recovery.
         The man who thus disappeared at the height of his age had these moral and intellectual qualities that allowed a leader to be loved by his subordinates without betraying anything of his professional obligations. Therefore, his loss will be felt to the same degree by the Administration which had given him a mission of trust and by the employees of all ranks who worked under his enlightened orders.
         Mr. Cordelle, a former student of the Ecole Polytechnique, had been in turn an officer of Colonial Artillery, Inspector of the Northern Railways, Chief of the Railway Operations of the Argentine Republic.
         He spent a short time in the West of Algeria, but he did measure up to a very high level of competence.
         His death will be deplored not only by railway personnel, but also by the trade in the region that had found his fullest understanding of his interests.
         We ask Mrs Cordelle and her children to accept in this difficult circumstance the expression of our feelings of condolences and respect for our sympathy.
         May the regrets we echo alleviate to some extent the pain that has caused them the cruel loss they have just suffered.

         The obséques of Mr. Cordelle, Chief of Operations of the Algerian Western Railways, gave rise to a friendly and touching manifestation by the many personnel placed under the orders of the late.
         High officials, clerks, workers, all those in a word that the service did not hold, had gathered behind the char funebre to render to the esteemed and loved leader of each, the supreme tribute of gratitude and respect.
         To the members of the Algerian Western Company had joined high officials of the State Railways and the P.L.M. who came to give the college and friend the ultimate tribute of their esteem and consideration.
         Mr.Rouzaud, director of the State Railways, was detained in Constantine and was represented by Mr.Lagrange, head of movement and traction at the same company in Oran.
         The obsecists also attended: Mr Duval, head of the Traction Office at the State Railways; Direz, head of the main section and Paulichet, cashier at the same Company.
         Among the senior officials of the other Algerian Railway administrations, we also noticed Messrs.Salles, Head of Division at P.L.M. in Algiers, and Desmolins, Senior Inspector at P.L.M.; Messrs.Scal, Director of O.A. in Oran; Barras, Head of the Technical Bureau of Management; Lion, Chief of Accounting, etc.
         The mourning was led by Mr. Jean Cordelle Jr., who had Mr.Gasc, an Algerian inspector at his side.
         Three death sheets were held: one by members of the Fraternal Association of French Railways, the second by the principal clerks, the third by inspectors from the West Algerian and the commander Burel.
         The ropes of the pole were held by Messrs.Roy, military deputy; Daunis, engineer of the Bridges and Chaussées; Lisbon, mayor; and Elliker, engineer in the West Algerian.
         Cars overloaded with splendid crowns, some of which were offered by the staff of the O.A.; the president and members of the Board of Directors, the director of the same company, the National Railway Union, the P.L.M. Company, etc., etc.
         The absout was given in the church of Saint Vincent by Canon Bessière. After the prayers, the procession went back on track. All the notables and local authorities accompanied the remains to its last residence.
         At the cemetery, according to the deceased's formal will, no speech was given, but the great assistance withdrew deeply moved by the death of this man from a well carried away by an inexorable disease.
         We reiterate our sincere condolences to Mrs. Vve Cordelle and her family.