The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1871-03-16
who has in this manner won host of
friends among the travelling public.

speak of them as rigid in the extreme.
Such is the grade of subordination from
the President, General Superintendent,
Division Superintendent, station agents,
ETC., that all orders must be obeyed
without question. There is but one law
for all, and that is obedience; and there
is one penalty, discharge. The railroad
man is therefore under a daily risk of
losing his berth, and what in others
might be trifing neglect, becomes in
his case objectionable, since it may
cost human life. 1t is rule, closely ad-
hered to, that no man shall commit
blunder q second time, or in other words,
the opportunity will not be permitted
him. This rule admits of no ameliora-
ton, and hence, while no man is dis
charged aoithout cause, yet the Oldest man
on the road may be removed at any time
soih cause, and without hope of restora-
tion. This rule, like the sword of
Damocles, is always overhanging them.
AFFINITIEs AND FRIENDSHIPS.
There are very strong ties uniting this
class, and they have peculiar esprit du
crops, which shows itself on all suitable
occasions. Whenever business slackens
so that smaller number Of men can
perform the daily service, instead of
waiting to be discharged they mutually
abate their time, and sometimes each
man will lay off for week. A general
loss is submitted to rather than to have
its whole weight inflicted on one of the
fraternity. Whenever one of their num-
Der dies, badge of mourning is worn
by the whole as token of respect for at
least thirty days. The same spirit is also
exhibited by many kind offices shown
each other, and this feeling is very much
to their credit.
RAILROAD BENEFIT SOCIETY.
The Central and Hudson River con-
solidated roads have a very useful society
of mutual character, whose title is
given above. The terms of union are
two dollars entrance fee, and then an
assessment of one dollar on the death of
any member, for the benefit his family.
When Major Priests brother, who was
freight agent at Little Falls, died, his
widow received $3.50 from this society.
doc" Simmons was also q member,
and as the number has increased, his
widow will receive about $500. 1t has
been matter of surprise that Simmons
did not jump from his engine. To this
it may be replied that first-class loco
motive is of such strength as to dash to
pieces many powerful obstacles, and in
several instances engineers have knocked
off and overrode impediments which
they did not discover in time to stop.
Simmons was man of great nerve, and
thought that perhaps he nigh dash
through in safety. In addition to this
it must be remembered that to leap from
an express train under full speed is ex-
ceedingly dangerous, especially at night.
Hence it is wonder how the fireman es-
capped. Railway men generally agree
that it is unsafe to leap from q train
whose speed exceeds fifteen miles per
hour, but when danger threatens they
must take their chance. In that case
the leap should be forward, starting
from the lowest step, and should be made
so as to strike on the heels.
RAILWAY CREWS.
A railway train has fixed crew las it
is called,) the conductor being the cap
tain. Add to this an engineer, a fireman,
and two brakemen, and the number is
complete, unless you have an extraord-
inarily long train. There are eighty-five
crews in the freight business on the Cen
tral, and about ninety in the passenger
business. Having referred to the rates
of pay enjoyed by these men, / would
add that each one can increase his earn
ings one-third by running "extras," as
it is termed. That is to say, the regular
stint affords them sufficient overtime for
overwork. This is source of much en-
couragement to railroad boys, and with
out it there would be little inducement
to Incur the incessant danger which at
tends this mode of life.
RATES OF Fay.
Conductors ofpassenger trains receive
800, while freight conductors are paid
S65 per month. Engineers earn 500,
and tiremen $65. Baggagemen's wages
are $50, and brakemen we have referred
to. Station agents receive from $50 to
500, and ticket sellers about the
same figure, although the latter in some
instances add to this the earnings of a
telegraph operator. Among the oldest
in point IF service in the Central are E.
S. Foster, of Albany, and Major Priest.
Assistant Superintendent of the Eastern
Division. The Major has worked his
way up from the lowest rank, and has
learned almost every duty up to his pres
ent station. He may be considered one
of the leading men of Little Falls, where
he lives, and he has been for several
years Superintendent of the Baptist
Sabbath-school in that place. Another
of the Oldest employees on the road is
G. T. B. Fonda, station agent at Fonda
Depot, a position which he has held
since the road opened.
Railroad men are class that live by
the rules laid down. They take the
time-bill and the printed instructions as
their daily chart. The impositions prac-
ticed on them by rogues oblige them at
times to appear rough and stern, but all
who show the signs of good-breeding
will be treated respectfully. They are
trained by their method of life to look
duty sternly in the face, and it is no
small honor in such a class to have pro-
duced a man like "Doc." Simmons, of
the Pacific Express, the hero of New
Hamburg. 1t was concentration in
one man of "the charge of six hundred"
and the act was worthy of muse equal
to that of Tennyson. ''
D., SIaanjnp Car Stary