Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-09-15
These guided by controlling, directing
in tellipence huildinu RAILWAYS. erect

These guided by controlling, directing
in telligence, building railways, erect
br idges and pierce mountains.
We belong, it is true, to the work of
guiding this expenditure of force. But
we come and our successors will
come to be guides, by first having been
guided. Now we propose to give direction
to our efforts, to dignity what has here
tofore, like labor, been without dignity,
because wanting in unity, wanting in the
application of intelligent thought to the
duties of the position, wanting, in fact, in
personal appreciation of the idea that this
road work is something more than mere
muscular putting together of piles of dirt,
sticks of timber and lines of iron.
We have reached the point where this
work means as it should and must if we
would improve our own conditions, some-
| thing more than these things.
1t has in it a sentiment, thought, a
worth, a value above and beyond the mere
corporeal or material elements that enter
| into construction.
It appeals to more than the gross ma
terialism of our natures. 1t signifies
| power, strength, durability, perfection of
purpose. Viewed thus it is ennobled, and
being ennobled it ennobles US. This can
not be without one advantage following,
and thus we reach one personal gain.
| 1t is true individual effort ordinarily has
for its ultimate object individual gain.
This is not only natural, but praiseworthy,
and is recognized by every code of morals,
every shade of politics and every grade of
society. A fair days wages for fair
days work is the theory of those who
legislate, and should be the practice of
those who employ.
I have endeavored to indicate the proper
standard for fair days work, especially
in our department, namely: energetic
vigilant, CONSCIENTIOUS and intelligent ser
vice. I should be untrue to you, to my
self and indeed likewise to the employers
whose interests we represent, if neglected
to note the bearing that this properly has
upon the subject of wages.
From every standpoint, whether of JUS
tice or economy these should be fairly and
fully equal to the Importance and the in
tegrity of the service. Here, if ever, merit
should count Fair dealing demands ii
and true economy and good management
recommend it.
The man who by years of attentive in
dustry on the road bed has acquired the
knowledge, the experience that fits him
for practical and efficient work is entitled.
when the scales of compensation are sci
up, to have his experience and practical
ability weigh heavier than the untaughi
service of the impractical man.
Railroading is intensely practical. It
deals coldly and without passion with
profit and loss. Facts and not fiction are
controlling the debit and credit sides OF
the ledger. It knows no poetry nor senti
these only look pleasant and alluring
when the balance stands on The right
side.
Why should not this intensely practical
judgement continue in the employment
and compensation of men?
This judgment will not for one moment
allow that iron of untried manufacture
shall command higher price than that
long known to be true and reliable. Nor
are dollars squandered on "gew-gaws.'
In machinery and material it is the strong
the substantial, the useful, the tested thing
that passes muster, and commands its
price. Why not with men? Which car
do the most and best work in the least
time and with the least means? The
answer to this should be the touch stone
that opens or shuts the door to preferred
place and the purse to liberal payment.
A thoroughly pratical and competent
roadmaster is less expensive at salary oil
$4,000 or $4,000 per year than the incom-
petent one at $1,000.
"Penny wise and pound foolish" is truel
in the great operations oil railroading than
in the petty plans of Franklin's generation
Money saved (by dwarfng the energies ani
abilities of the practical men on railroad
through poor salaries to be spent on dress
parade, better in my opinion be saved on
dress parade to be expended in encourag
ing the practical men.
We have and are as much entitled Il
have aspirations and desires for social an6
financial advancement for ourselves an6
those dependent on US, as any, and these
are to be met, if at all, with the money
that comes as the fair reward of our ex.
panded energy and ability.
Let US see to it that what we desire We
get. Not understand we through factious
demands, but throug b the logic of that
reason which demonstrates that the
cheapest is not the best, but that the best
is the cheapest; and through that motive
of fairness that dwells in every man
when it can be reached and which leads
him to recognize, appreciate and ittingly
reward meritorious efforts whenever and
wherever found.
Thanking you. gentlemen, for your kind
attention, in conclusion allow me to ex-
press my heartfelt wish for each and all Of
you, that when retiring from the service
you may find the retirement to which you
go pleasant and satisfactory. "May YOU
track on the down grade be we'll ballasted
your journey to the last station long one
without accident; your paymaster always
in funds, and when signaled in to the enc
of the line, may you land on the righ
platform, be ushered through the proper
gate and find rest in the desired depot OF
your most sanguine hopes"