The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1902-04-05
ENFORCED TEMPERANCE
THE GREAT CORPORATIONS ARE
ELIMINATING THE DRUNKkRD.

Discipline of tl,e Railway Employees Is
Probably Stricer Than I'm Amy Other
Line of Work 1Dismissat for Drinking
IL Fatal to Chances for Another job.
One of the greatest armies OF tenn
perance reformers in the world
breaches its doctrine daily in our
midst by action, and not by precept
or sermon; bu, few of the thousands
who travel up and down the railroads
Of our country ever stop to consider
this silent fofce which has become
stronger in it's example and power for
good than all the temperance organ
izations. There are several million
men employed in various capacities
on the railroads of the United States,
and of this considerable army fully so
percent occupy responsible positions
which render their work of pecu-
liarly public character. The engineers,
firemen, switchmen and train dispatch
ers are daily responsible for the lives
and property of great numbers. and
to prevent mistakes, which might
cause great disasters. every possible
precaution is taken to eliminate err
rors.
The discipline of the railroad en-
ployes of the country is probably
stricter, and better enforced, than in
any other line of work. A number of
years ago temperance was not strict
ly enforced ON trainmen, but the en-
gineers were compelled to report for
business in a perfectly sober condi-
ton. There were some lax rules in
regard to the trainmen, and it was not
uncommon to see many of them drink
ing at the public houses along the
route when their train was waiting
for orders. But today not only tenn
perance, but almost teetotalism, is en-
forced on our leading railroads. espe-
cially among engineers, firemen,
switchmen and train dispatchers and
conductors. The managers of the rail-
roads found that many of the acct
dents were due to drink among the
employees, and. after considering the
problem for few years, the man who
could not get along without drinking
was gradually forced from the ranks
of the railroad employees. Today these
workmen represent the largest and
strongest army of upright, sober, in
dustrious men in the world.
Dismissal for drinking is the worst
roads today for drunkenness, and they
must continue so long as human temp
tations are in existence; but it is be-
coming more difficult every year for
a drinking man to secure any respon-
sible position in the railroad COM
panies. A drinking engineer would
no more be tolerated on railroad than
a wild Indian. Such a man might
cause more damage and loss to the
road than his wages would amount to
in century. The man who has dis
position to drink must be content to
seek employment in other lines than
on the railroads. The engineers are
as a body strictly sober and temper
ate men. Their calling has made them
So They realize the dangers which
they must daily meet, and their respon-
sibilities sober them. 1t is rarely that
an active railroad engineer ever
touches liquor on or off duty. Habit
makes him dislike to introduce any
risk in his work. He knows that
liquor might tend to befog his mind
some day, and an accident that result
ed therefrom would mean his eternal
ruin. An engineer discharged for
drinking could never hope to find a
position on another railroad.
Dismissal for drinking is the worst
possible thing that could happen to
railroad man in any position. If he
applies to another road he must fur
nish reference or tell where he was
last employed. His record is then
looked up, and each road furnishes an
other with the correct data required.
If the dismissal has been for drinking,
the applicant is very naturally turned
down.
Yet allowances are made for human
weakness, and If an otherwise good
employee fails once, unless he is an
engineer or train-despatcher, he may
receive a reprimand and warning.
He is then placed on trial, and If he
does not repeat his offense he may
be retained indefinitely, Indeed many
men have been reformed from drink
in this very way. Realizing that their
positions depend upon their sobriety,
they have steadily refused to touch
liquor at all. In this effort to reform
they are nightly helped by their as
sociates. These are all railroad men
who are placed in the same position;
they must live sober life. Conse-
quently the weak man in the number
Is encouraged rather than tempted,
and his battle is rendered much
easier.
Next to the engineers, the train-de-
spatchers are probably the most i'm
portant employees who must observe
the strict rule of sobriety. The task
of the dispatcher is so difficult that
except perfectly clear, IN
telligent mind can do the work with
out endangering the lives and proper
ty of others. A train-despatcher who
reported for duty with the smell of
whisky about him would instantly be
reported to the general superinten-
dent. He would receive a warning
delivered in no unmistakable words,
and the second offense would be fol-
lowed by instant dismissal. Usually,
however, there is little trouble with
this class, for the train-despatchers
are men of unusual ability and ambi-
ton, and they have themselves under
perfect control.
The switchmen and yardmen have
the greatest temptation to drink of
any employee, and even when on duty
1t is easy for them to crafty their
thirst. Consequently there are more