Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-09-09

handsome white teeth in a genial smile.
Quite lively reception you boys are
giving the new manager, isn't it?' he
asked.
There was no reply. our prearranged ar
guments didn't seem to fit the occasion,
anyhow.
DO you think it is quite fair-to me?'
he asked I've hardly arrived here yet.
Won't you give me chance to find out
how the company stands?'
There was an uneasy shufting of feet
and twirling of hats. Then, remembering
the probable mission of this smooth, keen
gentleman. Ez' blurted out:
We thought we might as we'll ask for
a raise as TO walt for you to cut us down.
Mr.. Plummer's emile disa ppeared at
once. His features became very grave as
he said emphatically: L shall never cut
you down; YOU may take my word for that.
l don't believe in that method. L will go
farther; while l am manager of this COM
pany your wages will not be reduced by
anybody. l am satisfied that the road can
be restored to a paying basis; otherwise
should not have accepted the position, and
L assure you that, though | am unable to
grant your request just at present, l will
bear 1t in mind. and hope may be able to
before long. l know you are not as well
paid as the employees of some of our COM
petltors, but l intend that you shall be-
NOW, gentlemen, the company has given
me year to show what L can do; will you
be equally lenient?
I'VE We're dumfounded: our guns were
spiked.
II PROMISE he continued, that in the
meantime your wages shall be paid regu-
larly. | hope to run the pay car over the
road twice a month, until your arrearages
are all paid, and thereafter with uniform
regularity. What do you say, will you give
me a year?'
We were completely vanquished. l know
l echoed the sentiments of the committee
when replied, Yes, sir; two years, if you
want them.
again we saw that beaming smile oh,
no, he answered, pleasantly; one will do,
and L thank you for this forbearance.
know you have been sorely tried, and I
want you to tell the men for me that here
after no employee will be discharged except
for cause, and when proven beyond a doubt
And now. gentlemen, l wish you good day.
CAN on me again, year from now, and
hope may be able to do something for
you.
When we reported we were jeered at,
and told that the new manager had pulled
| the wool over our eyes. We were accused
of cowardice, betrayal of trust and selling
out. Several fights and much bitter feeling
grew out of the affair." but noticed that no
| member of the committee-those who mad
seen and heard him-ever lost faith in Mr..
Plummer.
The new manager took an inspection
| trip over the road. He was intensely prac-
| teal, and saw things the oldest employee
| man of his train for throwing off a shovel
| full of dirt, saying the company had paid
| Tor 1t as coal. But when shown that the
| stun was detrimental to the fire. he said
| we should have better fuel-and we did,
| He spoke to the engineer about the ouan-
! tity of oil splashed about the machinery
| and learned that it was due to the want
| of wipers. We soon had a full gang of
| wipers. He called the round house fore
mans attention to numerous broken cast
| ings and bits of scrap iron lying about
| saying they should be gathered I'D and
sent to the shop In reply to the excuse
| that there were no men to do the work he
said that should be remedied, and it was,
| He went through all the departments
| detecting loose ends everywhere, calling
| attention to them in his firm but plea sa nj
| way, that offended no mans self-respect
| "A change soon became apparent The
departments were fully manned and equip
ped. Supplies, from being the poorest In
| the market became the best. A system of
! cash rewards was offered for economy and
| emciency. The men sneered at it, calling
1t childish. But when several, without
| especial effort, earned substantial rewards.
| the others became interested. Master me-
| chanics We'd with each other in the matter
| or mileage records for their cars and en-
| gines, and section foremen received prizes
for the best-kept track.
| las all hands pulled together the train.
ran on time. Then the time was shortened:
| we were once more proud of our road and
| we made It, Traffic increased, DISCHARGED
| employees were reinstated and men pro-
NOTED.
IAN this was not accomplished in a year,
but at the years end we were so prosper
| Gus and contented that we had forgotten
our grievance On the second anniversary
OF the day notice appeared on the bull
] letin board requesting the same committee