The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-02-01
JOBS LOST BY
USE OF LIQUOR
Western Railroads Are Becoming
Stricter Than Ever.
RULE Is RIGIDLY ENFORCED
GENERAL SUPERINTENDENTS
TEMPERANCE ADVOCATES.
RULE is RIGIOLY ENFORCED

! Largely on account of the accidents
which have occurred on railroads from
1 one end of the country to the other
recently, the regulations against intern
perance on the part Of railroad men
are being more stringently enforced
than ever, The general superinten-
dents Of the western railroads are the
greatest practical advocates of tenn
perance in this territory. In fact, as
far as the men having to do with the
operation of trains are concerned, they
are absolute prohibitionists Several
employees of the Rio Grande. Union
Pacific and the Oregon Short Line have
recently lost their positions through
violation of the rules against the use
of intoXicants.
Railroads Are Severe.
On the Union Pacific and Oregon
Short Line it is the famous Rule 207''
which is responsible for more dismiss
sails than any other one rule. In the
book il is printed in bold face type to
call particular attention to it, and it
reads in pa : as follows:
THE use Of intoxicating drink by
employees will be considered good cause
for dismassal from the service
On the Rio Grande Western it is
Rule %" The form is slightly modi-
fed. 1t reads thus:
Under no circumstances VIII train
and engine men be called at saloons
for duty. Frequenting saloons will be
considered cause for dismissal from the
service.
There was a time when it was no un-
common sight to see an engineer stag
ger into the cab to take out passen-
ger train. 1t was the rule rather than
the exception for conductors and brake
men, particularly on freight trains. to
leave saloons for their trains, carry
ing large bottles to cheer them on their
ways.
When a train stopped for orders.
the brakemen could be observed has
tenlng to convenient saloon to i'm
blbe. But this is now all changed.
The men on the trains and the oper-
ators are through necessity teetotalers.
Lines Drawn Closely.
1.-The lines have been drawn closer
and closer of recent years" remarked
General superintendent Welby of the
Rio Grande Western. I'VE have had
TO let men go within the last few
weeks because they refused to observe
Rule %. For the first violation we
warn them. If they persist, the pen
atty is discharge.
1t is not moral question. 1t is
purely matter of business. Men hav-
ing anything TO do with the operation
Of trains have the lives of hundreds
in their hands. They must be keen and
alert every instant The use of liquor.
particularly in excess. tends to cloud the
brain and dull the faculties If an en-
gineer misreads Or forgets an order, a
serious calamity may result.
1T is the same with others who have
any connection with the operation of
trains. The lines must be drawn strict
ly. With employees who do not deal
With the operation of trains it is not
so important, but where the lives of
or the safeguarding of prop
srty is concerned, no halfway meas
lres will suffice"
Calvin is Strict.
General Superintendent Calvin of the |
Oregon Short Line is also strict on
his question. That is a rule which /
must be stringently enforced" he said. |
and we try TO enforce it"
President Burt of the Union Pacific !
S probably the strictest of oil in en- /
forcing the rule against the use of 4
ntoxicants- He and General Manager !
Dickinson have been holding the en- /
)loyes TO the rule so strictly that the /
very fact that an engineer or a con-
iuctOr enters saloon is sufficient to
'ause his dismissal. If his explana-
ions are deemed satisfactory and it
S shown that he did not drink anything
While in the saloon. he may be rein
stated, but meanwhile he has lost the