The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-01-11
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY H. lS'''


III, what ia know as the Railway Educ"-
,,o,ol Association outlines plan for
dealing with employees that seems to us
,o he ono of the most advanced steps ia
civilization Of this civilized and eniight-
oned age.
Mr.. George r. Brown was elected pres
,dent of the association, and is bis ruling
spirit. Mr.. Brown has made practical
Test Of the plan and has been more than
satisfied with the results. IL Is known
as "rhe Brown system OF Dlseillin''
aud IL, the association. which has adopted
., ar. the greatest railways In the coun-
Try. Including the Atchison. the NoFtherh
and Tho Southern Pacific, the chicago
and Alton. the Louisville and Nashville
the illinois Central the Chicago ana
Rock island. the Plant system the Was-
ner Palace Car Company the NorioiN
and Southern and many other roads oil
like Importance
Alr Brown began life as teacher and
early i'm his career showed his apprecia-
ton of the advantages of education. lie
enallv obtained a prominent position IN
the railroad world and accepting au-
thoritv over considerable working force
realized that educational advantages
which he'd made his own career success
ful were mpetent To- improve the eiil-
c,cnc, and economy of the service OF his
employees and he assumed the pioneer
position that discipline should De COM
sidered as "a means of education, instead
Of punishment with confidence In his
convictions. he maugurated a system OF
discipline in the operation of winch em-
moves. instead OF being suspended from
service for infracti0ns of rules ana care
less acts were called before their officer
shown the consequences of their mis-
deeds and cautioned against similar
lapses Full information of the occur
renee fomitting the names of the en-
ployes concerned was buietined TOT the
information Of on other employees. Con-
,rarv IN usual custom In such cases, the
ennlove fin fault was permitted 10 con-
,inue al work-earning the usual means
OF support for his family, and escaping
a term OF enforced idleness ana IT'S con-
seouent temptations His record was
sebited for a demert entry, and he ,was
cautioned that a succession Of such en-
tries would result in his dismissal while
d period OF perfect service would clear
his record. The results OF the operation
OF this humane system OF discipline dur
ing fourteen years on the Fall Brook
railway. of which De was superintendent,
show a great Improvement In 1.-The esprit
de-corps of the whole working force,
with the practical advantage 10 the COM
pany Of substantial economies effected
by improved service in every department.
In thus outlining the plan. we have em-
Moved the exact wording of the folder TO
which aiiusion IS above made Some
time ago IN these columns, We submitted
some remarks as to the replauonshp be-
tween employer ana employe. We said
that an employo might do his exact duty.
and yet without loyalty TO the institution
with which he was associated without
taking interest and pride I'm its operations.
he would withhold from his employer
the best part of his work. Loyalty and
respect and devotion impart "a value Co
ones services that cannot be estimated
IN dollars and cents. and these are ncces-
sary 10 the success 20 amy enterprise that
employs "a large number OF men. For
instance. what would the reportoriM
force OF a modern newspaper be worth
without that loyalty that osprit-de-
corps. which make every man on the
force Jealous for the success OF his paper
which throw snap and brilliancy into his
work. which make him labor IA season
and out OF season 20 make his paper more
readable than any OF IT'S contemporaries?
1t Is an unwise employer. to be sure.
who fails thus 10 inspire his employees
Especially Is this true OF railroads and
other corporations Of that character
which deal directly with the public. and
whose patronage depends IN "a measure
upon the excellent service and courteous
attention towards patrons. not TO say
solicltude Tor their comfort.
The Brown system is intended TO bring
about this result, and seems to as 10 be
remarkably well adapted TO SIS work II
treass employees as honorable men and