The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-01-11

means to the prevention of disturbances
Ct the character which we nave recently
of the gentieman's address, to which 1
might refer. but, if my memory be not at
fault, he spoke of the treatment of minor
employees by the officers in charge of the
several departments, advancing some sug-
gestIons which, If put into practical effect,
would, in my opinion. do much towards
bringing about the condition of affairs al
luded to. Yet, although Mr.. Ingalls, was
addressing an audience made up largely
from men occupying similar positions to
himself, or Immediately subordinate there
to, the views then promulgated.have been
held In abeyance, If not altogether lost
sight of. | have been in the railway serv-
ice a number of years, and am at present
under Mr.. ingalls,, and / believe his theory
is the correct one, and its practical en-
forcement would, / apprehend. bring the
This brings me back to the question of
free transportation" Any one at all IA
miliar with the management of railway
lines is aware that the abuses of the free
pass system do not lay at the door of the
employe; true, there are interruptions men
IN the ranks, as in other walks of life,
bat for the sins of these few shall the
great army of honest, Woodworking men
and their families be shut off? In fact, it
and without it few, indeed, of the many
employed in the service of railway lines
would be able to visit rela tives and friends,
or enjoy a brief vacation from home. The
president or general manages is hauled in
his private car, over any portion of the
country, on business or pleasure, and not
only is this service free, but also the
cuisine and servants are paid for and
vouchered as personal expenses" and
justly SO, too, for the duties and cares of
an officer of this rank are constant and
weighty. fatiguing the physical and wear
the duties of the humblest employee within
his sphere Why not. then. encourage and
gladden. his heart with an occasional free
pass for himself and family? rendering
him at once more loyal and better con-
tented.
To cultivate a spirit of loyalty among
Qnn10yaS RI tho aononan u~hnn, fhnx-
serve is to build up a service more nearly
perfect, where strikes or like disturbances
atty of the great body of men who do sery-
ice upon our railways the officers intrusted
with their physical operations should be
ment, just in dealing with their employees,
and, above all, devoid of anything like
fayoritism. In this connection, since it has
become the rule to examine each applicant
vision officers as well? Ali companies re-
ever trivial, and each division officer of the
several departments conducts an inveStiga-
ton and sits in Judgment upon the care
less or unfortunate employee. Then why
should not the general manager require
that heads of departments shall not only
case. but annually call them ION to the
red carpet as they call the men "onto
the green and examine them as to their
fitness for the several positions they occu-
Ply? Especially calling for all original pa
pers in cases of severe discipline or dis
IliSsdiS. L am aware LHdt d report Is re-
quired by and made upon many roads, but
am also aware that original papers are
not infrequently filed or pigeonholed
The gentleman whose name 1 have
quoted is regarded as one of the kindest
apd most considerable of officials. and in
vestigates for himself all personal appeals;
but the large number of men under his
control renders it impossible to personally
conduct Investigations of complaints from
employees. Still, / think it would be wise
for executive and general managers to
look carefully into the character and
standing of their staff, with a view to
promoting a better feeling of loyalty and
security among those who constitute the
rank and file of the great army of railway
men. which, once secured and retained,
assures immunity from strikes, and, at the
same time, obtains the highest perfection
worthy of aspiration, and brings the lines
into popular favor with the public. I am
not now. nor have I ever been. connected
with the labor societies. but / know suffi-
cient of them to be aware that they have
sprung from what may be- termed per
Sonal Injustice" I am also aware that the
recent Debs strike has not destroyed the
power of organized labor: on the other
hand. it has sufficed to show them their
weakness. and there is, ] fear, a deep I'M
dercurrent of unrest prevailing the differ
ent orders, and will eventually break out
in q much more disa strous form than that
of the A. r. u, Eternal vigilance is the
price of liberty" therefore. throw around
the property you administer every safe
guard against a. day of evil, not now Wis
ible, but both possible and probable in the
future, INDIANA
Td;nano3;- To- IN