Griggs courier., 1898-12-15

rae sasgalas oassatIea oeespsea ~
Cassgy0aa la Cele.
rode.


It Is perhaps contrary to the general
understanding of things to regard
railroad corporation as interested In
the affairs OF its employees other than
in'a strictly secularway. twas, there
fore, with some surprise and not a lit
tic misgiving that the delegates to the
recent roadmasters' convention in Dem
yer received the announcement by the
secretary that the session (then being
called) would be opened with prayer
by the chaplain Of the Denver and Rio
Grande railway. Investigation devel.
oped that the road named has regu-s
larly appointed official. designated as
chaplain, whose duties are more or less
definitely assigned, and whose time is
devoted entirely to the service of the
company in line with such duties.
Principal among these duties are at
tendance upon sick or injured en-
ployes in the hospitals, rendering as
sistance at wrecks, officiating at public
gatherings in charge of the company
and the maintaining of a reading-room
for the employees of the company ut
Pueblo. Further than this, the spirit
ual wants of the employees IRE looked
after, so far as circumstances create
opportunities. Besides matters like
these, which seem to require the at
tention of the chaplain with some de-
gree of regularity, he divides his spare
time among the employees on the trains,
in the shops and on the track, often en-
tering into the personal affairs of dis
charged or suspended men, by inter-
ceding with the officials in their be-
half, and in cases attempting the refor-
nation of those addicted to unfortu-
nate habits. In addition to this he sup
plies literature to employees upon re-
quest, and carries in his pocket a sup
ply of tickets good for loaf of bread
or cup of coffee ut bakeries or restau-
rants in towns along the line, for the
benefit of persons in Strengthened cir
cumstances. The chaplain's time is de-
voted, therefore, mainly to work of a
charitable nature rather than to the
performance of formal religious exer-
cises.
The incumbent of this position is
Rev. John Brunton, for 30 years a rail-
road conductor and engineer. Former
ly he was connected with the train
service of the Pennsylvania railroad in
Ohio and Indiana; and it may be inter-
esting to state that he attended the
first convention of locomotive en-
gineers in Baltimore. in 1855. In 1886
he came west and entered the service
of the Denver & Rio Grande road. See
ing the great need of help among rail-
road men. he often gave his attention
to needy persons in personal way,
until finally he became noted for such
work. and the value of his services
came to be appreciated by the COM
pany. 1t was in this manner that he
gradually worked into a field of great
usefulness, and since 1891 he has been
officially recognized as the chaplain of
the road.
Father" Brunton, us he is called
everywhere, is familiarly known among
those of the Union Pacific, Denver &
Gulf and Rio Grande Western roads,
where he pays occasional visits. Since
his connection with the Denver & Rio
Grande as chaplain he has been Or
dained minister of the Gospel, in
what denomination it matters not,
since in his works he is no respecter
of denominations and is equally popu-
lar with all denominations among the
employees, holding the respect and con-
fidence of all. His long experience as
a railway employe and his knowledge
of railway matters are, of course, of
great assistance to him, and no doubt
account largely for the success with
which he labors. He makes his head
quarters at the library and reading
room in Pueblo, where employees of the
road may spend pleasant and profit
able hour unmolested; the room for
this purpose is furnished by the rail-
way company. We understand that
funds for the charitable work which
he carries on are raised by personal
solicitation among the officials and en-
ployes of the company, thus enabling 1t
to be carried on entirely without OBJ
legation to the company, the chaplain
preferring to conduct his work on this
basis. He is therefore removed from
all fear of imputation that his work
could be conducted in the interests of
the company to the prejudice of the
employees, in any way.
We have thus outlined in a general
way the manner in which the person
filling this position unsclfshly en-
ploys his time, and the ends aimed at.
1t is stated that during the time since
this position has existed with the COM
pany marked change has been notice
able in the discipline of the employees
and that the company regards the
work of it's chaplain as highly ehec-
tive.-Railway Engineering Review.