The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-03-25

such as a boy affords the average over
worked agent-and no one ever saw an
agent who did not bear the weight of the
whole railroad upon his snoulders-sener-
ally makes the necessary opportunity, and
as ne progresses he comes sooner or later
intendent. and from the position OF travel
ing substitute. filing the places of men of
on leave. he rises to the dignity of agent:
1t is one OF the positions on a railroad
that cannot be filled by any one save an
experienced man. and he must be an all
round man-telesrapner or operator &C
ulations, convers7nt with the express busi-
ness, temperate, honest and a popular man
with the people-and q man with such quail
iicaticns is not easy to find.
Tt would be supposed that a liberal salary
would be paid where so much Is demanded,
north for all stations outside Of the large
cities. However, there are generally means
OF increasing this revenue by a per centum
from the express companies and from hand-
ling the drayage of freight, etc.
The policy of most railroad superintendent
al along no T the in .ee Of as sseIr i road. t and Il IS a wise
policy. for they are in touch with the people.
and do much to allay the constant irritation
policy were more closely adhered TO In the
selection OF the train crews IL would I'M
doubtedly rebound to the benefit OF the roads
for the awless acts or so many or the brake
men who are picked up 1oaters do much to-
ward increasing the Irritation of the people
But the policy OF giving the people along a
line to understand that railroading. requires
the highest order of brain and the best men
obtainable, and that their sons are possible
candidates for all the positions open. invests
the road with a personal interest that no
amount Of talking can accomplish.
There are stations on the great transconu-
mental lines out West far removed from
civilization where the railroad operator and
agent Is the only inhabitant, and his only
visitors the prairie wolf, the coyote and the
trainmen as they stop for orders or maybe
some tramp who has been put eff the train
near the station, and who fingers until the
next train rolls along, and regales the lonely
agent with stories of his pilgrimage. Even
the well-remembered beggar was his guest
In small towns the agent is generally the
and about the platforms the crowds gather
long before the train is due. and all the jokes
current are and the arrival or the
train is the event Of the day, for IL brings
the busy world beyond the horizon that
bounds their pretty realm and gives them a
glimpse of the life that one day or other
s si%Ila nEpe the to a en5Uyi Of Of t nays old o. Stage asa IT hack asS
or coach. or, perhaps, the postboy riding in
with the mail, that caused the crowds 10
assemble. and these assemblages then, as
low, were the occasions for the village Wits
to ventiIate their choicest filings.
Strange as il may seem, agents do not
generally rise beyond the post OF agent.
They may become agents In larger COM
munities. but are still agents. OF course.
there ara exceptions. but the officers of the
road are promoted from the road and train
department as a rule. The railroad agent
marries young and settles down in the small
community, and from there goes on up the
scale as his merits advance him, or grad
uaIly becomes interested in the local business
of the town and leaves the road for a more
independent position
They are q clever class Of men, honest.
watchful Of their employers interests, and
at the same time willing to work for the
joint welfare of both people and company.