The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-02-11
PROMOTED FROM THEK
TELEGRAPHERS WHO FILL RES
PONSIBLB POSITIONS.

Railroad Officials Who Received Their
Training at the Operators Table
The CentraPs Telegraph Force-The
Examinations That Railway Tele-
graphers are Required to Pass
Some Of the "Rushers" of Former
Days-General Manager Belznap
Practical Operator.
The position Of telegraph operator in
railroad office, because of the responsibility
attaching to it, is one of considerable i'm
portauce. OF late years telegraphlng has
become an important feature Of railroading,
and railroad telegraph operator, before
securing employment, is subject to an ex-
animation as rigid as that Of any other en-
ployes In fact in some cases tho test is
more rigid. Not only must he possess
thorough knowledge Of the science of teleg-
raphy, but he must be able to distinguish
readily the different kinds of lights.
An operator who is color blind is con-
sidered by the company as wholly incapaci-
tated to do service the same as an engineer
or conductor, and many expert operators
who have applied for positions with the rail
roads have been refused on this account. A
/
ant employee and he receives a good re-
Enumeration for his services. Handling
| daily, business from all departments of the
road he naturally becomes familiar with
it and gains knowledge Of almost the en-
tire system With this knowledge he may
reasonably expect higher position.
THE CENTRAL's OPERATORS.
The Central railrord perhaps, has more
officials who have, at some time, been tele-
graph operators than any other road in the
| south. General Manager Belknap, whose
tact, talent and Judgment in all matters is
| widely recognized, is a practical teleg
rapher. He has never followed the bust
ness, still his knowledge of it is sufficient
for him to manipulate the wires whenever
| chooses.
Supt. W. W. Storr Of the Southwestern
| division, Is a telegrapher. He worked for
number of years as a. operator at Augusta.
He was then promoted to ticket agent there,
afterward became agent and later train
master of the Central. From this position
he rose to be superintendent.
| W p Savage, general master of trans
portation of tue Central system, served the
Louisville and Nashville railroad faithfully
as train dispatcher at Montgomery.
Koadmaster C. E. Marvin is good teleg
rapher and can do excellent work. He has
a wrecking instrument which he carries
over the line with him, occasionally cutting
in and advising the general officials Of what
is going on whenever occasion demands it.
C. r. Barnhart, formerly master Of trans
portation, was an operator, having been for
a long time superintendent Of telegraph of
the Louisville and Nashville railroad.
"a RUsHER" AT THE KEY.
J. A. Eoglerth, the Central's agent at
Macon, was formerly telegraph operator
for the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, and
was for over ten years. operator for the
Central at Savannah. He was what the
boys call ''rusher, - and he 'pasted" them
! whenever he touched the key. He remained
the key in the Central railroad offices
during the yellow fever epidemic of 1876,
and was afterward made chief clerk Of the
up freight department, which position he
filed creditably until a few months ago,
when he was promoted to the agency at
Macon.
The late F. NJ. Fonda, superintendent Of
the main stem, who was accidentally shot
and killed on the steam tag Forest City
near Tybee, was an expert telegrapher. lie
was long time train dispatcher for the
Louisville AID Nashville railroad. E. E.
Anderson, trainmsster at Macon was tele-
graph operator for the Central at Birming-
ham ami was afterward train dispatcher.
He was transferred to Savannah when
Supt. Hege came here and acted as chief
clerk to that official until he was promoted
some time~ago TO the position which he now
holds at Macon.
IN THE LINE OF PROMOTION
Chief clerk in general freight depart
ment T. B. Marshall, is an old operator
He began as operator with the Central rail
road ten years ago, and has received pro-
motion after promotion until he occupies e.
p sition which is, perhaps, as respon ibe as
any, excepting tine high official position, Of
any in the company. He is virtually as
sstant general freight agent, as he acts In
the absence of the general freight agent
F. w. Edwardy, assistant travelling
auditor, worked for two or three years in
the Central Office here.
s. A. Hemphill, better known over the
wire a "Cooney," worked for the Georgia
railroad at Augusta for twelve or fifteen
years, and has been promoted to position
of more RESPONSE ility, more money and
less work so the railroad boys say.
j. w. Preston, formerlyc ief clerk in the
general freight agent office, was an old
operator at Augusta. Among others now
engaged in other work for the company,
w o have had their turn at the key and are
well known among the craft, are Clerk d.
A. Pritc ard, in the claim office, Assis ant
Savannah Age II. c. Morgan, Secretary
to Superintendent 3 f. Wilson, aud Di-
vision Storekeeper W. Hodg5on.
PROUD OF ITS OPERATORS.
inc COUNTY, ) present. lOECe Is one Oh JDe
best in the country and the Centra's off
cials are proud of it, Chief S. B. Fielding,
has no superior in this or anyother city in
he south He has been connected with
the Central since 1875, and his record is one
that he can point to with a good deal Of
satisfaction. He IS a good railroad man,
and no doubt when the Central officials
have a call for re ponsible and thoroughly
drillei man, he will be- picked from the fold
of teeSraphers
If. A. Gossette is the Centrals train dis
pstcher here. He is an expert telegrapher,
AID his superior knowledge of managing
trains over the line Is sure to launch him in
some big position either with the Central or
some other road.
Tee other members of the force are Day
Operator o. z. Love, w. A. Stokes assistant
operator and A. S. Cauova night operator.
They are all good men.
Co L. J,