The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-12-10
RAILROADERS OF TO-DAY
REQUIREMENT. EXACTED OF
THOSE WHO SEEK EMPLOYMENT.
Rigid Examinations and Much Red
Was the Case Formerly.

Hes a railroader, I'll bet" How many
times have we heard that remark about
, some stranger passing along the street;
and how many of us can picture him in our
minds? Black brd's-eye cloth suit with
braids half an inch in width on facings of
coat, vest and pockets, also down the outer
seam of his trousers, which were OF the
spring bottom variety, suggestive OF the
flaring of church bell;" SLOUGH hat,
dented in at the -four corners" so TO
speak, blue, stiff-bosom shirt with turn
down collar, or else blue or black flannel
shirt; small black string tie, cigar or chew
of tobacco in his mouth, a swagger walk
indicative of the toughest thing that
comes down the pike all these things, he
was under the impression. were necessary
in order to have everyone know that he
was railroad man. Compare him in your
mind with tho rairoader Of to-day and
see what a change has been wrought with
in the last ten or fifteen years.
| Formerly it was only necessary for him
to present himself in as tough a manner
as possible to the yardmaster and apply
for a job, and the yardmaster, IL in need
of anyone, would put him at work without
consulting the trainmaSter or anyone and
without inquiring as to his past record, ex-
cept to ask the applicant names of the
different roads he had worked for within
the last year or two, thinking that the
greater the number the better. Perhaps he
was right at that day and age. but to-day
it would be a bad recommendation and he
would be classed as rover" stake
only or Summer man. working on south
ern roads in winter and drifting to north
ern roads In summer months. No one can,
however, dispute the experience and ability
Of such men, as they do certainly gain a
good deal of varied experience in their
wandering and are not afraid TO walk in
and strike the ''old man" for a job. But
to-day such man Is not wanted by the
up-to-date road. The kind of man en-
ployed nowadays is the bright, well-dressed,
smooth-faoed young fellow, who has the
bearing and address of college-bred boy;
who, on entering the trainmaster's Office,
removes his hat, awaits his turn and pro-
ceeds to make his wants known in we'll
chosen language. His intelligence and
bearing have great weight with the official
who hires the man and who usually scans
the applicant from head to feet, asking
sucn questions as: What's your name,
age, height, weight? Where were you ed
ucated and how far in school did you go?
Are you or were you ever drinking man?
What have you been doing and why did
| you leave your place? DO you understand
| that to be a brakeman you are not going
into something pleasant and easy? Did
you ever do any hard work." Upon de-
claring that you have done hard work, stat
| ing what it was. he is usually sneered at
| by the official, who remarks: "Bosh, you
| do not know what hard work is Remem-
| Der you have to climb out and run over
| the tops of box cars while the train is
, running very fast and the cars have six
inches of snow or sleet on them and the
temperature below Zero"
| If the applicant persists that he has taken
| all these things into consideration before
making up his mind to seek such position
he is told to go home, write a letter, Civ
| ing the same information he has just given
in regard to age, height, weight, where
he has worked, etc., in his own hand
writing; also get three letters of recon-
mendation addressed to the official and not
to Whom they may concern" from threc
reputable citizens, recommending him, and
| date. IF they are satisfactory" the Of
fetal concludes. II will have the company's
doctor examine you and If you pass that
test, which is very rigid will let you pro-
coed with the other examinations"
MORE PAPER TO FILL OUT.
On the date set the young man appears
with the letters as requested and If salts
factory he is given an application blank.
calling for his name, residence, when and
where born, names and residence Of
parents-married or single-if married,
name of wife and children, and ages of
children; where he worked last and from
and to what dates, and why he left there.
The blank also states that In accepting a
position the applicant agrees to abstain
from the use of intoxicating liquors, con-
duct himself properly, whether off
duty, to perform duties to the best of his
ability and in the event of leaving the
service of the company he authorizes said
company to answer any and all inquiries
as to his conduct and qualifications while
in the service of said company so far as
il is known, and cause of his leaving same.
The attention of applicant is then called
to a heading at the top of the blank which
reads as follows:
There are three ways to improve the
| character of the service: First, employ
better class of men; second, educate those
kept; third, discharge the vicious and in
competent. So far as possible men should
| be employed from those living along the
line of the road; their moral character,
physical fitness. mental capacity and past
| record should be rigidly examined. Only the
best should be employed.
The other side of the blank is used by the
medical examiner and calls for the name
and residence of the applicant. age, color
of hair, height, weight, what sickness or
injury he has had and at what age. If he
has had any disease or physical infrmity?
Eyes, ears. teeth. tonsils, joints, bones.
general surface when applicant is stripped.
| He is asked If he ever had a sprain, a bone
| out Of place or fractured? Glands in gen.
eral, chest and contained organs, abdomen
and contained. Examine carefully for WIS.,
| IDLE or latent hernias.) Piles and genito
urinary apparatus, family history.
The medical examiner then shows on the
blank If applicant is or is not qualified for
| employment and seals the blank in the en-
| velope and gives IL TO the applicant to de-
! liver to the proper official If applicant
! fails he is told so in as gentle manner as
is possible. in order to not work too much