Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-01-06

to be making too fast time!
do you consider it necessary to Keep
sharp eye on the hose in winter II
you are not assigned to that duty?
These are some of the questions that
are asked the applicants for positions
as freight brakemen:
"Supposing you were told to open
switch and then received signal to do
something else. would obey that signal
and leave the switch open or close 1t
"Supposing you We're told to open
car and that part of the train you were
on broke away from the engine. what
would you do? Would You set the
brake or first notify the CONDUCTOR
do you think brakeman ought 10
smoke when on duty"
'Supposing the train were attacked
by tramps or a mob OF any sort. what
would you conceive to be your duty?'
IF in the employ of your company
would you consider it necessary to al
ways and absolutely obey every rule"
when do you think you should us"
your own judgment
Would you compare your watch
every day with standard time. even If
you knew that 1t would not vary for
several days from the time at which it
had been set:'
What is your idea of the way g
freight brakeman should dress?"
Are you in the habit Of drinking
liquor? Do you take a drink occasion
| ally. or don't you believe in drinking at
all?"
What position do you hope TO gee;
if you remain in the service of this
road?"
DO you think a RAN who is mar
| who is not?'
DO you always believe in ing
strictly on time?"
Perhaps at first glance these quas-
| tons may not seem particularly sig
nificant, but If they are carefully stud
led it will be seen that after they have
been answered the questioner will have
Il fairly good idea of the man whom
he has been quizzing. Some of the
suggestions appear commonplace, but
! they form part of an ingenious Whole
| that as Il rule reveals the majority II
| the facts the trainmaster wishes to
know. They will be more appreciated
| when these rules that must serva as
he guidance of railroad employees are
noted:
Employees while on duty must wear
me prescribed badge or uniform and
he neat in appearance.
The use of intoXicants while on duty
| is prohibited. Their habitual Us. or
The frequenting of places where they
ere sold is sufficient cause for dismiss
al.
The use of tobacco by employees
when in or about passenger stations
or by passenger trainmen when on
duty is prohibited.
| "All employees must he polite and
consderate in their intercourse with
the public. The reputation and pros :
| perity of company depend greatly
upon the promptness with which its
| business is conducted and the manner
n which it's patrons are treated by its
employees
Conductors will be held responsible
for the proper adjustment of the
switches used by them and their train
men. except where switch tenders are
stationed. Whoever opens switch
| shall remain at it until it IS closed.
Unless relieved by some other compa-
tent employe.
|
BILE watch which has been examined
and certified to on prescribed form by
| a designated inspector and must file
such certificate before he is allowed to
go on duty Watches must be examined
every day."
All these rules are observed. They
are not for effect in the least A first
offense means a reprimand by the
trainmaster. A second Offense is likely
to mean visit to the superintendent
| and suspension of from one to ten
days. A recurrence of the offense is
likely TO mean dismissal. Small mat
tiers are considered Offenses. If Il
brakeman, whose duty it is to look af-
ter the rear coach of train in winter.
letsthe hose freeze at the end twice,
the superintendent says to him: why
did you let that hose freeze? Why did
MT you let the water run off? think
you had better take a layoff of a day
and see if you cant think of "A reason
that will prevent it next time
Sometimes the offenses are even
more trivial. A trainman is suspend
ed for appearing on duty with his uni
form in bad condition, if he is dis
courteous to passengers. if he fails to
call stations properly. if he neglects to
help ladies' off the train.
A freight brakeman is suspended
from day to a week and sometimes
is given even more of a layoff. for fail
ing to couple promptly. coming on duty
| with his breath smelling of liquor, for
getting flag or a signal. and not re-
porting promptly on time to take his
run.
! If Il conductor does not keep a keen
eye to the end that the rules shall be
"beyed by the other trainmen he must
also endure punishment for the Of
lenses they commit. The railroad
companies do not intend to promote
ood-fellowship between subOrdinates
| and superior. 1t is their desire that the
difference in rank should he thorough
ly in evidence at all times.
| 1t needs no sharp ear to hear the bit
| ter complaint that many of the rail-
| road men make as to promotions
"Favorites are jumped over us. over
good men," they say. 1T used to be
that the fellows got 10 the top who
earned their way, but nowadays it is