The Topeka state journal., 1897-11-19
Rock Island Pleased With the
Brown System.
Report Showing the Working
Effect for a Year.
GOOD FOR EMPLOYEES.
Shows a Decrease in Number of
Mem Dismissed.
Merit Marks Given Employees
for Valuable Suggestions.

on October I. 1886, the Rock Island
railway adopted the Brown system OF
discipline in the government OF its en-
DIoyes. and the report showing the re-
suit OF the system during the frst year
as compared with the previous year
when the old system Of suspension
was in effect has just been completed
1t is a report whicn viii interest every
railroad emplOye who is working under
the regulations Of the Brown system
Of discipline.
The working of the system during the
past year was watched with unusual
care by the officials of the company,
and the work of keeping proper rec
ords carefully handled. because when
the system was inauSurated there was
a general feeling among tile employees
of the road that it was something
which would benefit the company alone
and possibly prove an injury to its en-
plOyes- Before adopting the system.
however, the management or the road
had become convinced through exam
inatiOn of records Of other lines on
which il was in effect that il would not
only promote a greater interest among
the employees i'm the transaction OF
their business, but would afford the
company a way of showing apprecia-
tion OF such services.
The report shows that the system
has been beneficial. as anticipated by
the company. The employees as a
whole. after years experience, now
look upon tine system as a just manner
or carelesslz- violate the rules of the
company. as well as recoSnizing the
services Of those deserving credit for
The report shows that there was an
increase of 16.43 per cent iu the NUM-
her Of men employed during the year
ending October I, 1897, as compared
with the previous year. This increase
however, was not due to the new sys-
tenn. but on account OF increase in bus
mess There was 14.34 per cent de-
.nre ra-r-.. n
Notwithstanding that there was d large
increase in the number OF men en-
ployed.
In comparing the number of men re
CeiViHg demeri5 marks Tor violating the
rules under the present system. With
the number receiving days OF sTsTeH-
sion under the old order OF discipline,
the report shows an increase of 1888
per. cent. but with an increase of 1913
Per cent in number of men employed.
the actual increase is but IL per cent
under the new system These figures
removes the fears OF many of the EN-
plOyes who felt that under the Brown
system. they would be subject to de
merit marks for smaller OffenSeS than
under the ola system rules With only
4 p increase of IL per cent the employees
receiving demeritS have had the ad-
vantage of continued service in place
of time cost. and neither themselves nor
families have been deprived of any
necessities. which is often the case
ticed.
OF the total number of men employed
and subject to the Brown System"
which only includes these in the engine,
train, yard and telegraph serX ice,
80 per cent received no damerit
marks whatever during the year, and
under the rules each man is given -
merit marks for good service A per
SOnaI account is kept with each en-
ploye, demeriI marks being given for
violation of the rules. and merit marks
for good service. Valua bic Sug5eSt, ,Ous
and the exercising Of good judgment in
urgent cases IT is the policy of the
Rock Island to always receive sugGes-
tiOns from its employees. regardless of
station. and ii has often proven bene-
fetal to the service i'm adopting some
idea or suggestion made by an en-
ploye. When suggestions have proven
good ones. the man making them is
given as many merit marks as is
deemed right, and many employees have
been recognized in this way during the
past year.
The company is highly pleased with