The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-02-20
TREATMENT OF EMPLOYEES.

widely discussed, all suggestions and So
buttons command a hearing. 1t may be
said that most Of these discussions are
from a practical stand point, but with
theoretical processes and conclusions.
1t would be easy enough, for instance,
to work out the solution proposed by
the author of "Looking Backward" il
we could proportion a mans character
by eliminating certain elements and en-
larging others. Other theorists like
Henry George propose remedies which
would be thoroughly practicable if w
could start the world over again, or in
duce communities to move to new re-
gions and begin life on an equal basis.
But while society changes in it's divis-
ion OF Glasses and modes OF living, it will
need another messiah to change the
groundwork on which the modern re-
formers are working.
Under these conditions all suggestions
with at least the appearance of prac-
tioabllity are gladly received, and among
these a recent contribution worthy of
note is furnished to the current number
of the Railway Age by President d. o.
Ashley, Of the Wabash system. He
writes on an ideal railway management,
which indeed, would seem not SO diff
cult of realization, after all. There are
to-day more than one million railway
employees of all classes, and each Of the
great systems, like the Northern Pa
| cifo ia or pno~o~al me- ~ .~oan.hla i.
small government. The problem with
the companies is to secure the best and
most faithful service Of a great number
OF employees; with the employees to Sc
cure the best treatment which should
include something more than fair wages
for fair work.
Starting with these promises, Presi-
dent Ashley first proposes a rigid sys-
tenn OF promotion. When a vacancy &C.
ours in a department he would have the
retiring officer succeeded by the assist
ant nearest the position, instead of Of
fering it to- another officer of another
company. The advantages of this policy
are manifest. The worker is then in
spired by a purpose; he knows that
something higher is ahead for him, and
he therefore gives not only closer ap-
plication to his own work, but broader
study to other needs of his company.
The knowledge that his case will be
first considered by the company and
that if found worthy he will receive re.
ward, makes him a better servant.
Another suggestion is that of encour-
aging faithful work by means of insur-
ance or pension systems. The Pennsyl-
vania company was the first to adopt
company life insurance and the results
are shown in the splendid service along
their lines. To make this feasible Pres
ldent Ashley proposes that the railroad
company set aside a portion of it's earn
ings each year for the accumulation of
a fund. The benefits from this insur-
ance fund would be graduated accord
ing to the deceased employees length OF
service. For instance, if he had been
with the company five years the bene-
~ficiaries would receive $1,000 at his
death, or $1,000 if his employment had
extended to ten years, and so on until a
limit is reached. Another suggestion Of
the president is the wisdom of railroad
companies in encouraging men to
build permanent homes, although as he
says, this project should not be oonsid-
cred until the other projects have been
thoroughly tried" The pension system
he would have as a part of the insur-
ance department and managed on much
the same plan rs that of the govern
ment. There would be the same gradu-
ated list of benefits for loss of limbs or
eyesight sustained in the company's en-
ployment. The only objection to this
manifestly just reform is given by Pres
ident Ashley in these words:
There is but one thing which renders this
scheme impraetioabls at the present time,
way companies. to a largo extent. are pow
erty stricken by tbs low rates which they
are now obliged TO accept for the ~transpor-
tation of freight. This is the great over
whelming obstacle to railway progress. II
limits their i'm provsment in physical con-
dition and renders them powerless to assist
in any plans for the benefit of their en-
ployess which call for the expenditure of
capital, NO matter how desirable they may
be. II any method can be devised to stop
rate cutting by railway linea and a moderate
advance can be established in freight tar
ifs, the remedy will be at hand, but so
long as the railways are engaged in mutual
throat cutting competition, and SO long as
legislation in congress and in the states
seeks to Cypress and cripple railway com-
panies by stringent laws which serve no
useful purpose and take from railway man
agers the power OF correcting the evils OF
excessive competition, there can be no sub
stantial improvement in the situation"
But to return to the beginning, if this
system will call forth the best qualities
of men, induce greater watchfulness and
care and consequently better service,
would it not pay railroad companies to
operate insurance and pension depart
ments regardless of the rate cutting for
which they are responsible? The Penn
s%ylvania company receives increased
patronage along with better service, and
other companies might find it profitable
to make an experiment which seems to
be practicable and humane.
The Letter Carriers Bin.