The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-08-15
PLEASANT RELATIONS

That Existed Between Street Car
AIagnate Yerkes, Of Chicago, and
his Employees.
The relations between a railroad em-
pIoyer and the employed are more often
strained than cordial. The scenes when
the head Of the western city's greatest
system severed his connection are note
worthy as showing that occasionally a
man may be n man and an employer
too. Who has ever looked on Charles
T. Yerkes as anything but a monopo-
list. a street cor magnate in Chicago,
and a railway king elsewhere?
A few days ago Mr. Yerkes gave up
the presidency Of both the North and
West Side Trunk lines. Chicago. His
men were called together to bid him
farewell-car conductors and gripmen
and switchmen. Tears greeted Mr..
Yerkes and wild cheers were his fare
well. The men knew they had lost q
friend.
In one group stood the officials. In an
other the employees. Mr.. Yerkes stood
among them with cheerful Good af-
ternoon' for all alike. A few arose
when he came into the room.
"Slt down, everybody" he laughed,
''for I'm going to-"
Then came an Informal little farewell.
In grave words Mr.. Yerkes told the
men how much he had always thought
Of them and how sad he was to part
with them. He told them how he had
appreciated their services, and how
faithful they had been to the interests
OF the company.
had It printed too, that they might take
It to their mates who were out on the
cars.
II want to praise the work Of all"
said Mr.. YeTkes, and to assure you
that there viii be no change in your
fortunes under the new management l
only ask that you be as faithful as you
have been to me-"
When the short address was done Mr..
Yerkes stepped forward to shake hands
with everybody. Several Of the women
who had been employed In the ONCE
burst into tears and even Mr.. Yerkes
had to bite his lips. Men were blowing
their noses vigorously.
One old man from the power house
came late. Mr.. Yerkes had retired into
his office, but the old man was welcom-
ed at once. When he came out he was
twisting his battered hat and weeping.
He was the best friend ever had"
sobbed the old man.
After this scene the millionaire went
across town to his other offices where
he went through the same thing again.
Turning to the men from the cars he
said:
81 desire to say that feel great de-
gree Of the success that has attended
my thirteen years OF work here Is due to
the loyal support OF my employees.
There has never been case Of dlsloy-
atty. feel that you are all entitled to
the same praise that has been meted
out to me. The fact that you have
drawn salaries for your work doesn't
count with me. Some OF you are, per-
haps, entitled to more than you have
received. feel deeply the kind and
considerable support you have given me
when needed support-both moral and
active. leave you with feeling that
l shall never forget"
In his printed farewell to all the em-
ployeS is this:
"The man who performs his work
consclentiously, scientifically, and well
as motormRn or conductor is entitled
to the same praise as the President. It
is with this feeling that say to you all
that thank you for the correct man
ner in which you have performed those
duties and for the great assistance you
have rendered me-"