Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-09-05
Character in Railroad Men.

The following ideas as to the character
and ability required of railroad men are
not altogether new, but have never been
quite so ably expressed before. They are
given by Division superintendent A. NJ.
Richards. of the Alton, i'm an interview
with the railroad reporter of the Bloom
ington { Ill. Leader:
every man in railway train service ac-
Guires nerve and executive force and Obe-
ence that is worked intO his very soul
ny the character Ofhis employment. He is
true soldier. He believes that he knows
his own duty and can and will do it, and
he expects the same OF every man above
or below him. The unforgiYing sin in
railrOading is incOmpetency. If consti-
tutiOnal, or often shown, no penance or
prayers will save the unlucky possessOrs
head. IncOmpetency in railrOading is an
lntOlerable defect, and can offer no ex-
cuses. Regarding the Chicago and Alton
train men, Mr.. Richards ranks them HIGH
in every respect. A comparatively modern
thing required in railrOading is total
abstinence. In former times little in
diligence in the social bowl was winked
at. But whisky has been found a foe Of
railrOading. 1t has caused the loss Of a
good many lives, and much money. Rail-
road managers have learned that man
who drinks is dangerous. Hence if he
INDUCES even off duty he is discharged.
If he is on duty at night and then stavs up
during the day time he is likewise bOunc-
ed for not going to bed. He may be warn
ed once of his faults. but a repetition
costs him his job. Railroads must have
not only clear brains but well rested
bodies. 1t wants every man at his best.
Formerly the shall fellow well met man
was likely to rise in authority in railroad
ing. This is no longer true. COnViyialitv
is frOwned upon everywhere in the service.
Urbanity is expected Of all, but debau-
cherry permitted in none.
The railroads employ no green man
after he IS 40. 1t is considered then that
he is too old to be taught the business.
Every applicant is required TO sign a
statement showing where he worked for
three years last past. Railroad men wear
out faster than others, but are we'll paid
ana Kept by the road that employs them
10 Old age II their powers do not fail and
so impair their usefulness, Good eyesight
is especially required and good hearing
is.yery important. Railroading has be-
come great profession or trade. and
sure one. To men of broad ability it
offers fine opportunities to rise to good
positions of excellent salaries, Manag,
ing officials salaries on good roads run
from $1,000 per year up, But Darwin's
theory of the survival of the fittest' finds
ineXoTable sway here, and only men gitt.
ed for their respective duties 90 up to
higher positions, while if only mediocre
a man cannot even enter the lower ranks.
The railroad service emnlnys Essentially
picked men throughout. Mr.. Richards saws
that nearly all managers and chiefs of de-
Partments are men who rose in the servioe
with no training prior to Oentering it. But
he expects the time will come when
special railroad training schools Will be
founded and eventually recognized by
railroad managers as efficient aids in lay
Ing the foundations Of successful railroad
careers. The trade or profession as such
he expects to take higher and yet Aigher
rank, and thinks the grade of etBciencV re-
quired is likely to rig1 gradually till the
service has attained human perfection.