The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-07-22
THE SERVICE IMPROVED.
Reason Why There Are so Few
Disastrous Railway Acct
dents Lately.
High Standard of Qualifications
Required of Mon Employed
by COMPANIES.
Agency of Train Dispatchers in Causing
Mishsps-A Story in Illustration
Why He Resigned.

Few railroad men who visit st. Paul think
of leaving the city without calling at the
Office of Assistant General Passenger Agent
Mccullough, of the Omaha, says the Pho
necr Press, and it is not an unusual thing
to find half a dozen or more men from as
many railroads, aud each living in a differ
ent city, gathered around the genial pas
ssnger agent. enjoying Il pleasant chat or
telling stories about railroad men and re-
lating incidents of railroad life.
There is nothing that MIR. Mccullough
likes better than to entertain a coterie of
rail Dad men, and there are few who can
make the time pass more pleasantly than
he; and it is interesting to SEQ him work
and talk at the same time. There is almost
a continual stream of employees entering
the Office to receive instructions, but usual
ly he knows upon what errand each one has
come, aud with MO, Rt., four-ffteen," or
other abreviatlons and figures wholly unin-
telliglDle to other than railroad men, and
sometimes only to the employe to whom
they are given, and the conversation is re-
sumed in the next breath.
The other day there were gathered in his
office an official of the Southern Pacific,
NtN ia" " nv IL l. z , OH LII Cil-
trail man was there, as was also a Grand
Trunk official, and a travelling passenger
agent of tho New York Central. The sub
ject under discussion was the recent fatal
wreck in Ohio and West Virginia.
ut is very strange but nevertheless
true said Mr.. Mccullough, that disasters
come by threes, and | feel confident that
before many DAYS there will be another
fatal wreck for the newspapers to chronicle,
The Ravenna wreck WAS the first bad wreck
that has occurred for several months.
thought when reading the account of that
accident that there would be two mole
within the next two or three weeks. But
the next one-that near Charlestown, w
Na.-came only two days later. Now, tho
+ question is, on what line will the third oc,
cur?"
Haven't you noticed that wrecks are be-
coming iess frequent of late?' asked the
Illinois Central man.
Eyes. | am glad to say that | have" MIR
Mccullough replied, and l can explain
the cause-eilclency in the service. Rail
roads do no employ the first man who ap
plies tor a position, no matter how badly &
man is needed and in what capacity, o.
course l can only speak for the Omaha, bu'
l am pretty sure that other ines are doing
a great deal towards improving the service
Every applicant for a position on our roat
is put through a thorough examination. no
only to test his ability for the position
which he seeks, but to ascertain as wei
whether he could safely be promoted wher
an occasion presented itself. Officials kee,
an eye on their employees, no matter wha
position they hold, and their work is wha
tells when it comes to promotion; and | cal
safely say right here that | don't beiiev,
there is another industry in the coun,r,
where favoritism is less shown than oil
railroads. Good, faithful work, with a 1e
gard for the public as well as for the com