The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-11
THE TELEGRAPH.
The Responsib lity of Such Clearly Point
ed Out-one of the Dingers.

The Responsib lity of Such Clearly Point
ed Out-One of the Dingers.
In an article on the responsibilities of tele-
graph operators the Railway Telegraph of
recent date says:
1t might not be out of place to briefly
state some of the necessary qualifications of
a railway telegrapher. He should be old
enough to realize the responsibility which
he assumes by reason of his position. The
time has been when the hoy telegrapher''
was greatly admired by the general pub lie,
and it was no uncommon thing to see a
newspaper item that Little Johnny Smith,
boy of only 10 years. has been appointed
day operator at Smithville. Johnny is
said to be the youngest operator in
the State, but he is better than many of
those with whom he works. He is
quite curiosity, perched upon high
Office stool, his feet dangling, and his little
fingers flying over the key with lightning
rapidity." Johnny was quite adime museum
freak, the wonder and admiration of his
playmates, who as yet had not advanced fur
Their than marbles for keeps" =" humble
de-peg." ''leap-frog," and kindred attain
ments. But, alas. One day when johnny
took train order, with his matured mind
preOccupied with thoughts of the coming
circus or the candy and peanuts he would
buy when he should draw his princely sal
airy, he neglected 10 properly deliver the
order, and as consequence two engines
going in opposite directions attempted
the lives of brave engineers. iremen,
trainmen ana passengers were offered
up as a sacrifice to Johnny'S precocty.
Then the bereaved ones began to think that
little Johnny had better wait awhile before
attempting to handle business involving
the safety of human life. Ths boy teleg-
rapher, by general verdict of the public,
must give way to the man. Experience has
clearly demonstrated the fact that it re-
quires something besides a mere knowledge
of the technical formation Of the telegrap hic
alphabet and the ability TO transcribe
transmitted message from the telegraph
that emergencies frequently arise requiring
the exercise of matured judgment and an
active mind in order to avert the loss of life
and property and that the boy telegrapher
is not possessed of these necessary Quallfi-
catlouS.
There is nothing so precious to humanity
as the lives of their families. The love of
the father or mother for their children ex-
ceeds all other considerations, and the laws
of our land have wisely provided for every
safeguard and protection to human life. The
unnecessary je0pardiZing of human life has
always been met with the strongest legisla-
ton making It a crime, and we venture the
prediction that competency rather than
cheapness must be the voluntary rule adopted
by employers in filling positions in the
telegraphlc department, or the general pub
lie will adopt measures compelling such a
course. In recent accident caused by the
boy telegrapher closing his head,', to use a
common expression. resulting in the loss of
life and great destruction, the evidence at
the CoroneI's inquest established the fact
that the boy, not II years Of age, received a
compensation of $50 per month. No reason
able person would expect that any degree Of
competency could be purchased for such a
price. The same rule holds in the employ
ment of labor as in the purchase of mer-
chandise-to procure good article you must
pay a good price. Cheap prices procure
shoddy goods. Men or women who qualify
themselves for the responsibilities of rail-
way telegrapher and are really qualified can
command compensation much greater than
$50 per month in other avocations, and it Is
sef-evdent that they will seek those chan
nels rather than sacrifice their time for
mere pittance. We know that there is a
general desire among the fraternity to faith
fully perform the duties of their positions.
and this should be met by employers with
hearty cooperation. The only remedy tn at
can safely be applied to obviate incompe-
tency upon the part of telegraphers is to
pay salaries that will command men and
not bows,