The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-06-25

TENS of the country. The growth of
these institutions has been great in re-
cent years. There are now ninety-six
clubs in existence, fostered by an asso-
citation that develops, and improves
mind and body The total cost of
maintaining them is close to S15OOO0
per annum, and of this sum the rail
road employees give between oue-third
and one-fourth, the remainder being
contributed by the railroad companies.
These organizations have before them
as their constant purpose the develop
ment of character in railroad men, and
have sought to surround them while
they have been away from home with
the comforts and advantages of which
they have been deprived by the neces-
stiles of their avocation. They are not
schools and yet they maintain educa-
tional classes and lectures, nor are
they substitute for the church, which
is organized specially to save souls.
though religious meetings are con-
Quoted.
Now take this New York institution
for example. 1t is about to be enlarged
$4,000 worth by Mr. Nanderbilt's GEN
crosby because it is such a success.
There are 5000 volumes in its library.
there are a gymnasium and bowling
alley and billiard-roomS. lunch-rocm
where food is served at cost prices,
lecture and reading-rooms and every
thing that the rich man gets at his club
on Fifth avenue.
To, form some idea of the way in
which this building is used one should
visit it any week day between the
are always at least $50 men in the vari-
Gus rooms resting, reading, playing
games or otherwise seeking healthful
or needed recreation. 1t should be
borne in mind though that the doors of
this building are never locked. Dur
ing the night railroad men arriving in
New York on late trains find and en-
joy its hospitality and on the Sabbath
there are many who are unable to
reach their homes who congregate at
this club and find the rest and comfort
so grateful when one Is among stra myers
and in place other than that in which
he resides.
In $40 there were only 5000 miles
Of railway in this country with prob
ably, at five TO the mile, only $4,000
men. Then everybody knew every
body on every road.
| remember in my boyhood that the
conductor ard the station agent were
the most important people in Peeks-
kill They represented more than any
one in the village; they were out in
contact with the world. and they
brought into the town more than any I
body else. But when YOU reach the
figures of 1900 miles and 500. 600 en- {
ployes or more You pass beyond the
period when the officer knows his men.
Or when the men know the executive .
officers of the country. when they can
even see or recognize the superintend
ents and assistant superintendent as
the heads of the differe Mt departments
Zen come to the period when there Is
IN immense association on the one side
II those who are similarly engaged and
lpon substantially the same plane of
and they are without d.
ect contact or sympathy with the d.
ectorS or superior officers OF the road.
nd this leads 10 dangerous misunder-
landings likely 10 produce disastrous
esult>
You take, for instance, the three
Fanderbilts. and they Illustrate pre-
iselY the devciopemeint % the railway
q its operation n this COUNTRY. The