The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-18
NO CAUSE FOR ANXIETY
FAST FREIGHT LINE CONSOLIDA-
TION SCARE WEARING OFF.
More Roads Adopting Brown System
of scipIine-Receiver Murray
Denies Reports of Changes.

''The numerous articles which have been
printed regarding the consolidation of the
fast-freight lines operating over the Van
derbilt systems stating the number of men
1t would throw out of positions. have" says
a. line official in position to know
the situation. been greatly exagger-
ated and are causing undue ankle
~ among representatives of the
lines at Western points 1t should be
borne in mind that there is not the oppor-
tunity on othe:' systems of roads for con-
solidation of their lines that are offered on
the West Shore and the New York Contra
The Pennsylvania, for instance. has but two
fast freight lines operating over it direct, the
Union Star line and the Empire line; the
Baltimore & Ohio has but two. the Central
States Dispatch and the Continental fast
freight line. and these are operated under
one general manager The Erie has its
own fast freight line under the name of
the Erie Dispatch; the Chesapeake & Ohio
has the Kanawh4 Dispatch; the Lehgh
Valley has two, the Traders Dispatch and
the Lehig'. Valley & Wabash fast freight
lines. The rumored wholesale discharge
spoken Of by certain newspapers has no
real foundation. 1t seems that in the con-
solidation of the Vanderbilt lines every gen.
eral manager of a separate line has been
taken care of. and outside of the headquar-
ters of these general managers much the
same forces will be required a. Chicago, st.
Louis. Cincinnati. indianapolis, Louisville
and Other points that are now employed"
Brown System Of Discipline.
The Pittsburg. Besseme- & Lake Erie as
well as the Erie. will on Sept. 1 adopt the
Brown system of discipline by record, as in
The nf the Sh A ic Eont Of
each employee separately, which will show
shortcomings, neglect of duty. violation of
rules. etc. 1t is said the system of dis
cipline which has been in vogue some years
on the Panhandle's Indianapolis division of
the Pennsylvania lines was much more Sc
we're than the original Brown system and
has now been somewhat modified Under
the plan of discipline employees are dis
charged for drunkenness either on or off
duty, for drinking intoxicating liquors on
duty, for frequenting saloons or other places
of low resort, for incompetency, dishonesty,
characterization and other serious offenses.
One demerit mark is assessed in each case,
representing one days suspension, except
Ing that for a repetition of the same offenSe
additional demerit marks may be assessed.
Each person may receive sixty demerit
marks before dismissal. perfect record
for six months entities the offending en-
plOye to the cancellation of ten demerit
marks; a perfect record for nine months will
enttle him to a cancellation not exceeding
twenty dement, marks, and perfect record
for one year viii entitle him to the cam
collation. of thirty demerit marks. No credit
will be allowed for less lhan six months
consecutive service. Employees who are
competent and disposed to obey the rules of
the company rather favor the Brown sys-
tenn, as they feel that incompetent men and
visitors of saloons and reckless Fellows soon n
causes their dismissal, and the service is the
better for their departure.