The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-03-02

Inc lraVellnS library, true 10 It's
name, is rarely long at rest. It's aim
is universal education; its life is in mo-
ton. In fact, the most apt description
that can be quoted is to say that, vir-
tually, it is free public library on
wheels. It's function is to bring the
best books into the homes of the COM
mon people who live remote from libra
ries; to interest them in what has been
done in this world Of ours; to tell them
of the continual discoveries of science;
to unfold knowledge Of the beautiful in
art and poetry; to teach wisdom in the
pages of philosophy; to brighten trou
bled, perpleXed lives with views of all
possible aspects of humanity, and to
lead all willing ones out Of themselves
into close mental contact with the
world. Besides this mental stimulus,
this quickeningrof all the powers of the
mind, the travelling library carries in
struction which is of definite pecuniary
benefit Who that knows rural Cali
fornia is not aware of it's great indus
tries, varied in character and of in
creasing Importance? Have the ranch
ers, the stockmen, the dairymen, the
bee keepers, the poultry breeders, the
horticulturists, the lumber men and the
miners of our State CLEANED all of the
practical wisdom that can be acquired
in their pursuits without the whole
some aid of books? Can weekly or
monthly publication, invaluable as
good one is, supply all of the teachings
coming from the worlds experience in
the past? Among various helps, the
travelling library will prove an able ally
to the farmers institutes as they are
now carried on by the State UniVer-
sity, for the best books on agriculture
and kindred topics WILL with the help
of the oranges, be freely circulated AT
this very time, when delegates from
more than a score of influential organ
izations deem their time we'll spent by
meeting in convention to discuss the
subject of preserving our forests, books
and publications treating of this vital
topic could be sent throughout the
State to eminent advantage. Advanced
general intelligence creates public sent
iment; salutary legislation is certain to
follow.
But our special theme to-day con-
Germs those travelling library systems
which are connected with some OF the
great transportation lines OF the coun-
try OF all avocations, the operating
exacting in it's requirements; always
demanding highest intelligence, faith
fulness and vigilance; in emergencies
calling for quickened perception and
prompt execution, with a willingness TO
give life itself for its trust.
The writer will never forget that he
owes his life to the fidelity of the man
at the throttle and air brake, in GER
tain washout in Wisconsin. A terrific
shock, sinking, twisting OF timDers
and grinding of glass, lighting con-
seriousness that the expected, an acct
dent, had come at last; the fall OF
portion of the train down steep EN-.
bankment into the swollen creek; all
these occurred in a few seconds. Not
q life was lost, not a bone broken,
thanks to the cool head and prompt ac-
ton of the brave man at his post. Nor
that other incident on a heavy grade
near the Horseshoe Curve in Pennsyl-
vania, when an engineer, with glance
which nearly froze him with horror.
saw a detached part of preceding
freight train which had broken loose
rolling down upon him. Instantly call
ing his fireman to cut the engine from
the train, he pulled the throttle wide
open and they jumped for their lives
The huge locomotive, released from its
heavy load, bounded upward to its fate.
There was a fearful crash cloud Of
splnters, mass of wood and iron, torn
but the scores of passengers half mile
below were saved The grateful cor
poration (for there are such bodies),
quick to recognize this splendid act of
decision and courage, gave the hero an
advanced position and permanent
standing on it's pay roll. Others may
come and go, but he will not want While
the Pennsylvania Company lives.
Such instances, and others in differ
ent departments of railway life, are SUI
preme devotion to duty, coupled with
unerring intelligence, are not rare.
They are the mastery efforts of sound
minds accustomed to instant weighing
of chances and boldness of execution.
In less striking relief, but of equal need,
are seen the almost unnoticed laborS
of the mechanic in the repair shop, the
tester of wheels and springs; the con-
ductor, the brakeman, the trackman
and the operator. Everywhere, in sea-
son and out of season, must the primal
conditions of vigilance and loyalty to
duty be expected. More and more are
railway managers, who must respond
to the incessant demands of the public
for swifter trains and to the constant
increase of traffic, requiring not only
sobriety of conduct but capacity, the
ability which is born of instruction
through books as well as of discipline
through training, that balance OF
powers which comes through the most
perfect Q6V9lOpIUeII VI d ilCy
speak of such one as the best man
for such and such a post. their mean
ing is, that he is the finest example of
well rounded, effective manhood that
they have.
Some managers have discovered that
it is an excellent investment to pro-
mote the diffusion of knowledge among
their employees by establishing travel
ing library systems on their roads. Be-
lieying that knowledge is power" they
encourage to the utmost the reading OF
good books by their men and their fam
flies. Whatever may be the preference
of the individual reader, whether for
mechanics or fiction, for science or po
etry. for history or art, the wise execu-
tive realizes that useful information,
culture, broadens mans understand
ing, increases his ability to meet COM
mon duties or contingencies, exalts his
character and moral power, and thus
the making of better, a stronger man
insures the highest and most reliable