The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-04-08
NOT A NEW POLICY.
Enforcement of Rule Against
Drinking by the Santa Fe.
SEVERAL DISCHARGES RECENTLY

But They Were in COnsOnance With
Ola Rule Nc. 2OO-OtheR Railroad
News.
The report that the Santa Fe has made
rigid rules and will discharge a great
many of its employees who are in the
habit of drinking intoxicating liquors,
has caused some talk among railroad
men over the state The announcement
that several men had been discharged at
Arkansas City and other points on the
line has given color to the report
General Superintendent Nudge said
when asked by a JOURNAL reporter
whether the road had inaug urated new
policy: 'No, we have not It has always
been a rule of the road that train men
should not drink The safety of the pub
lie demands that they should not and
we insist upon the enforcement of the
rule. do not know how the report got
out that the rule applies to others than
trainmen, for it does not There has
been no Wholesale discharge of men.
Two engineers and three brakemen were
discharged in Arkansas City, where they
have a great many joints-Or saloons, l
suppose they should be called-and
believe some switchmen were discharged
at Emporia, but that is all. l suppose
that is what started the report. We do
not allow our trainmen to frequent joints
or saloons at any time"
If there is any alarm felt in regard to
this announced procedure in Topeka or
among the employees of the Santa Fe
here JOURNAL reporter failed to find
it today.
81 am not worried" said an engineer
who has been in the employ of the COM
pany for years; sit has never been my
custom to drink TO excess and there has
never been any notice served by bulle-
tin or otherwise that employees would be
discharged for simply taking a drink of
any kind of liquor or for simply being
seen going into place where liquors are
sold. The only rule that governs the
case at all is No. 200 of the general rules
and reads as follows: drinking
when on duty or frequenting sa-
looms will not be tolerated, and
preference will be given those who do
not drink at ALL If wanted beer or
whisky l would get it, and I would as
soon the company would know about it
as anybody do not drink on duty nor
when I am expecting to be called. and
never more than drink or two. I never
frequent saloons either, so / don't believe
l come under the head Of the rule, and l
know of no new one. If there was one
we should be notified"
A brakeman was asked about the rule,
among others, and said: ''Never heard of
any such - fool rule Every man
knows he would get fired if he drank
too much, so we don't do it Hard drink
ing isn't allowed at any time. If I
should lay off for say ten days and go a
hundred miles off and get drunk, and
the company found it out, it would be
good bye, Sammy. Course we don't
like that sort of thing, some of US,
but we have to stand it, and
it's best for US after all. We have to be
strictly sober any way, because we don't
know when we are going to be called to
go out, and the trainmaster wouldn't let
man go out with a smell of it on him if
he knew it"
The shop men are governed by the
same rule as the road employees, and if
one of them should get drunk tonight
and the company found it out, no matter
how bright and early he was at work the
next morning, he would have TO go.
The idea seems to be prevalent, and the
rule upholds it, that a man can take a
drink if he wants to, while he is not on
duty. without any danger of dismissal
But in process of promotion the man who
does not drink at all is given the prefer
ence over man of the same capabiliry
who takes drink a month.
Don't bother me none anyhow" said
a switchman; 81 don's drink nuthin' but
water am weak water at that" but then
he winked.