The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-22
he monner in WINCH its patrong ere treat.

the manner in which its patrons are treat
ed by its employees
Conductors will be held responsible for
the proper adjustment of the switches used
by them and their trainmen. except where
switch tenders are stationed. Whoever
opens a switch shall remain at it until il
is closed, unless relieved by some other
competent employe.
Each trainman must have a suitable
watch which has been examined and GER
titled to on prescribed form by a desig-
mated inspector and must file such certifi-
cate before he is allowed to go on duty.
Watches must be examined every day"
All these rules are observed. They are not
for effect in the least A first offense means
a reprimand by the trainmaster A second
otfense is likely to mean a visit 10 the SUI
perintendent and suspension of from one
to ten days. a recurrence of the offense IS
likely to mean dismissal. Small matters are
considered offenses If a brakeman, whose
duty it is TO look after the rear coach of a
train in winter, let's the hose freeze at the
end twice.the superintendent says to him:
"Why did you let that hose freeze? Why
didn't you let the water run off? l think
you had better take layoff of a day and
see if you can't think of a reason that Will
prevent it next time
trivial. A trainman is suspended for APP
pearing on duty with his uniform in bad
condition, if he is discourteous to passen-
gers, if he fails to call stations properly,
if he neglects 10 help ladies off the train.
A freight brakeman is suspended from
a day to week and sometimes is given
even more of a layoff for failing to cou-
PIE promptly, coming on duty with his
breath smelling of liquor, forge tting a
fiag or a signal and not reporting
promptly on time TO take his run.
If a conductor does not keep a keen
eye to the end that the rules shall be
obeyed by the other trainmen he muss
also endure punishment for the offenses
they commit. The railroad companies 40
not intend to promote good fellowship be-
tween subordinates and superiors. It
is their desire that the differences in RANK
should be thoroughly in evidence at all
time
1t needs no sharp ear to hear the bitter
complaint that many of the railroad men
make as to promotions. "Favorites are
jumped over us over good men," they
say. 1T used to be that the fellows got
ia the top who earned their way, but
nowadays 1t is pull and not merit
Undoubtedly there are cases where this
is true but careful reading of this rail
read rule which governs promotions is in
tereung:
"All employees shall be regarded as in
the line of promotion, advancement de-
pending upon the faithful discharge or
duty and capacity for increased response
billy"
1t is on the last five words of this rule
that the railroad officials base their de-
Tense of the charge of favoritism. .eTbere
are faithful, honest baggagemen and sta
ton masters in the employ of the rail
roads, said Supt. Mccoy, who have held
their positions for many years and often
wonder that they have not been promoted
The reason is simple. They are good bas
gagemen and good station masters. bu,
we have watched them very closely ana
tIled them in a quiet way from time to
ilme and proved that they could not salts
factorlly fill higher positions There are
plenty OF first-class conductors and brake
men who are fitted for just those Mace.
and no higher ones. That is the secret
OF what sometimes seems peculiar promo
tions of railroad employees"