El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-03-15
IMPORTANT QUESTION
The Systematic Selection OF Rail-
road Employees.

TOdO CHlpIOyCS-
In the late issue of the Railway Age,
Mr. w. O. Nevill, chief clerk u Su
perintendent w. 81. Stilwell, of the
Rock Island in Topeka. replies to the
recent article of K. G. Richards, claim
agent of the Chicago & Northwestern
road, au extract OF which was printed
IN the State Journal. Mr.. Richards ar
iicle was on The Systematic Selection
of Employee and was plea for the
establishment of joint railroad en-
ployment agency in Chicago of COM
petent judges of human nature. Ia his
reply Mr.. Nevil says:
The article on The Systematic Sc
lection of Employees, by Mr.. Richards,
which appeared in your issue OF FEB
rnary %, was read with mnch inter-
sss, and L must say frankly that l do
EoS think the ideas he advances are
either theoretically or practically good.
The responsibility of employing men
has lever been a part OF my duties dur
ting my fifteen years experience 10 the
operating department of great rail
gay sy5tem. But during that time L
have been closely allied with the en-
I6oyes necessary to properly conduct
sDch q department., and In my expert
s1ee in keeping detailed record of
Hsc, ( do not recall such a demoralized
coodition of the capabilities and char
pictures, but quite the reverse.
s'As he fears that such grave respon
ability is too often left to clerk or
Subordinate official, | trust it would
nos be too presuming in the clerk to
make few remarks, inesmuch ss he
seem to stand on level with the claim
bgent, SO far as employing men is con-
eerned.
"Etis quite evident that Mr.. Rich
ia haa fhnrnnOhlu
self On the manner and customs OF the
ssTious railroads in the employment of
men. Had he done so, he would not
come forward asking the solution of
3 problem which has undergone a COM
piete revolution during the past few
years. l dare say that none of the
great questions that have come before
railway managers in recent years has
received more earnest consideration
than the employing and disciplining of
their employees. | believe can say,
without aggeration, that nine-tenth5
Of the railways have adopted new and
Stringent rules bearing on this sub
ject, which leave little room for i'm
proyement. The 'old-timer' who a few
years ago could secure a position on
any system and as often as he desired
Is today entirely barred.
1.-THE mental aud physical condition
OF applicants on majority OF up-to-
date systems is thoroughly probed by
q responsible physician. There should
De no fears from that direction. The
morals and capabilities of the employe
reeeive equally close attention by the
heads of the departments employing
them. Many systems have gone even
iArther and adopted an age limit, shut
ting out the young and inexperienced
as well as the old and infirm.
II fear Mr.. Richards's employing
agent would have RESPONSE bilities Of
immense proportions should he under
iake 80 employ all the men necessary
zorun an operating department. He
does not explain how he is to corral
7snd hold the clean-cut, nervy and am
bilious young men. many samples of
which class he would be compelled to
hold in stock, pending call to service.
/ jear he would find that nerve
and am bition would not remain long
IN an uncertainty. The employment of
men is best in the hands of that official
who meets with the men in the daily
performance of their duties, and in
shat way alone can be best Judge their |
qualifications. A mans general char
Acser, family relations, recommends !
tlOns, etc., all point favorably to his |
being desirable man for efficient SER
Vice, but his employer is not confident
antil his mettle has been tested.