The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-12-17
MUST GIVE IT UP.
The Alton Rules That It's En-
plOves Shall Not Drink.
Whether On Duty or Off Of
Duty.
MAKES "a SENSATION.
Conductors Who Paid No Atten-
~ to the Order
lose Tli r Places Complaint
from Some Quarters

BLOOMINGTOS, Ill. Dec 1.-THE rigid
enforcement hy the Chicago S Alton
management of the recently adopted
regulations in regard to the use of intox-
icating liquor and gambling by employees
q that corporation is raising good deal
of contention among the servants of the
company and is likely to prove far
reaching in its consequence The rule,
which appeared q the last issue of the
company's time card. reads as follows:
"The Use of intoxicating drinks and
frequenting of gam bling places, or other
places Of low resort has proven
q most fruitful source Of trouble to rail-
ways as well as to individuals. Recog-
nizing this fact this company will exer-
else the most rigid scrutiny in reference
TO the habits Of EN- plOyes in this respect
THE use Of beer or any other intoxi-
eating liquor by any employees of this
company while on duty is strictly pro-
hibited and no EN- plOye will be allowed
to have such liquors in or about any sta
tion, shop or yard, or other premises of
this company at any time or under any
circumstances.
"Any conductor, trainman, engineer.
fireman, swItchmen or other employe
who is known to use intoxicating liquors
or frequent gam bling places or other
places Of low resort on or off duty. will
be promptly and permanently dismissed
from the services of this company.
"IIeads of departments, subordinate
officers and fOremen are hereby in
structed TO see that this rule is strictly
enforced at all times"
At first the employees were inclined to
look upon the rule as a bluff, but when
in week after their publication half
dozen conductors were saet OUT in a
bunch with the mere notification that
they had been seen IN a saloon and their
services were no longer required, the
thing began to look serious
The regulation has continued to be
rigidly enforced, aud the employees
realize that there il a continual watch
upon their movements and habits in
every place where they make head
quarters.
Several of the West Side saloons in the
vicinity Of the Alton shops have gone
ont Of business OF moved up town, and it
Is said that BY the end Of the
year number Of the saloons in
Bloomington viii be forced to
close up. There are in Blooming
ton probably 3,OJ0 employees Of the Alton
road as permanent residents and transi-
ents The liquor dealers, retail and
wholesale, and many of the Alton en-
ployes declare the regulation is a blow
at the personal liberty OF the citizen,
holding that when railway men are not
on duty their actions should be their
own. when within the bounds of order
and propriety.
1t Is common talk that the liquor deal
ers throughout the country. including
the great breweries, will unite upon 3
boycott Of the Chicago and Alton unless
the regulations are modified, aud viii
take every pound Of their freight off the
Alton and as much Of their passenger
traffic as possible.
The Alton people declare their firm
purpose to abide by their determination
TO not give EN- ployment to drinkers or
gamblers and those who keep vile com
pany. They declare that their duty to
the public and to themselves demands no
less They have given due and fair no
tice OF their purpose, and assert that they
VIII carry it out to the letter and with
out mercy.