Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-10-25

ton of . railroad employee At Cleveland,
Ohio, . work was begun for railroad-
men In the Union depot there. For
time the pastors Of the city conducted
preaching services, but by their sagges-
ton the local Young Mems Christian
Association took up the work, and
reading and meetipg-room was opened
in the depot. Since 1877 the ln-
terpstiopal Committee has CONSTANT
Nv employed one man and part
Of The time two 10 visit railroad CEN
tres 10 bring the subject before the in
telligent attention q railroad officials
and help organize the work. To-day
there are sixty-nine railroad branches
of this Association vigorously at work.
There are sixty-seyen young men de-
voting their entire time to this depart
ment Of the work as secretaries. Tae
privileges offered and methods adopted
are similar TO those offered in the main
organization. Seven branches occupy
buildings Of their own.
About three years ago the iirst rail-
road branch in the South was organized
in Richmond. BY the generous pro-
vision Of the companies, comfortable
rooms were opened in the depot Of the
Richmond and Danville railroad at
Manchester. and the depot Of the Chesa-
peake and Ohio railroad, at the corner
of Broad and Seventeenth streets. Mr..
NJ. Dickie. formerly in the employ of a
Canadian railroad, has the general and
Efficient oversight Of these two branches.
Largely through the influence OF the
work here. a similar work has been es-
,ablished at Charlottesville, Clifton
Forge. Dauyille, and Atlanta, Ga. The
expense of this work is in the main sus-
tanned by the railroad companies. AS
corporations, they are now contributing
throughout the land 100000 annually,
and the employees themselves about
els, 600 more.
An incident connected with this de-
nartment of Association work that
came to the attention Of the writer may
be worthy of note right here. Per-
hans il carries with it suggestion appli-
cable to the present movemc emit on foot
Of the Richmond Association in Its APP
neal for funds 10 erect building.
A few years ago a prominent citizen
of ore Of the smallar cities of New
York was invited to deliver an ad-
dress at the anniversary OF his
local association. In the course
Of his remarks he made the following
statement. "As many Of you know, l
have openly expressed views antagonis-
tic TO the Young Mems Christian Asso-
citation. A few weeks ago | took a
long trip through the West. At GER
tain railroad junction | was delayed
several hours by late train. Walking
IN and down the station platform, l
noticed a sign over door reading as
follows RAILROAD Y. NJ. q. A. Read
ing-Room. Welcome. Opening the
door and walking in, ! found myself IN
an attractive reading-room, and found
library well supplied with the current
literature of the day. An inte'li'
gent young man approached mt
and gave me cordial GRASP
of the hand. | soon discovered
that he was the secretary in charge o.
the rooms. He showed me about. Adj
Joining the reading-room was an amuse
men,-room. where checkers, chess, anc
a few innocent games Of like character
were found. Adjoining this were bath
rooms and place for the men to BLACK
their boots and wash up as they came
in from their runs. On the opposite
side of the reading-room was a small
hut comfortable and attractive hall
where the secretary said they hell
praise, prayer, and experimenting
social gatherings, practical talks, an'
evening educational classes upon sub
jects helpful to the men in the lint
of their daily occupation. | wa
much pleased by the attention o
the secretary and all saw. aske'
him who provided all these things, palC
the rent, his salary, &C., to which h
replied, The railroad companies cen
tering here Expressing my surprls
at this use Of corporate funds, he said
"A similar work, and at the expens
of the companies, is carried on at lift
other points in the country Thi
was a revelation to me, and was sub
iect of deep thought as | journeye
homeward. | said to myself the raj
road officials have no right to ap
propriate corporate funds, money be
longing to others, for philanthropy
and charitable purposes. Now, b
what right do they appropriat
this money? Oh, said, | see. 1t
a business matter, and therefore RICH
because it pays. Work means be
TER habits on the part Of the employees
that means better service, better cal
Of the property, fewer accidents, II
creased dividends. So said to mysel
what ] now say to you, that railroa
! officials have taught me lesson.
this organization is worthy of the sul
| port OF THESE Heli- inch WIN SiS n"'"
) as our sharpest businessmen, especia
, " in matters Of finance-then it
3 worthy of my support and all othe
, who employ young men,"
In addition to this statement co
$ corning appropriations, it can be sa
that many railroad officials OF {
t country give evidence by their acti
S interest, and in some cases person
supervision Of the work, that the
e heart as well as their money is in t
D cause.
!, The Hon. Chauncey NJ. Dope
B, president of the New York Cent?
!, and Hudson River railroad, says of II
!, branch Of Association work
h 1.-The steady hand and clear brain
l. the locomotive engineer, Of the switc
0 man at the crossing, of the fagman
g the curve, of the signal-man at the tie
s graph, alone prevent unutterable NJ
v rors, and this Association does more
!. fitting men to fulfil these duties for t
y safety of the public than all the pate
r appliances Of tae age"
One hundred thousand men are o.
70 ployed upon this road. For sevel
y years it has sustained this work at eley
:. | d;Naraut poiptc