The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-10-12

Rio erande's President Tells fine Story of His
Early Struggles.

gagged in business. My wages at the start
were As cents a day. Several men told
me that ! was a TOOL to work for suen
wages, and ! thought so, too. several
times. but / decided 20 make as much OF
my chance as possible.
o q o
At the end Of two months was put to
work in the tin and copper shop. where
did all sorts OF work. assisting the reg
ular employees by cleaning up, and by
making myself generally useful II was
while serving in this shop that I made
up my mind 10 become machinist. l
entered an application with the railroad
company for place IN the machine shops
so that l could learn the trade. This l
, was given in a few months, and the
practical training that | received in the
shops has been OF the greatest value 20
me ever since l acquired some knowl-
edge of carpentry and the designing of
locomotives, and kept my eyes and ears
open 10 learn all could in every depart
ment Of the work.
On July 5, 1858, Mr.. Hayes gave me a
position in the department OF mechan-
zeal drawing. and from that time ] made
rapid progress. Mr.. Hayes had a warm
heart and was most friendly toward any
boy starting in the world for himself, and,
under his good counsel, ! developed an
ambition to fit myself for the complete
mastery OF both the science and art OF
mechanical drawing and engineering.
began course OF systematic study.
l L
Hayes soon saw / was In earnest, and he
accorded me the privilege of studying
during office hours whenever my duties
permitted. ! also studied at home in the
evenings. and was able 10 make short
work OF some books l had. Being regu-
larly employed In the drawing depart
ment, i was able TO demonstrate the prin-
ciples OF my calling In a practical way
/ perceived that 10 Is useless 10 acquire
book knowledge without knowing how TO
put Il into operation, and / applied In my
own self-training the principle now ad-
Vocated by the most advances educators
that of combining the labor OF the hand
with that of the brain, in order TO meet
the practical demands Of an Industrial
| calling. -,.... ..,-....
| 1t is probable that may encourage
many young men 10 study at home When
/ l say that. at Is years. 1 was on the pay
/ roll of the Illinois Central Railroad com
| pany as a regular mechanical draughts-
man. This position would not have been
| possible for me at that age " had nor
/ used every spare moment TO Improve my
/ knowledge OF my profession. When |
was 20 wears old / was placed in full
| charge of the department OF mechanical
| drawing. .
The question Is often asked whether /
| consider college or technical coarse e.
sential TO success IN a meeaanscal ca
reer. and Invariably reply IN the mega
/ tive. Practical experience Is essential,
/ most OF all: and. II a young man can
have a good college education IL audi-
/ ton. 1t Is very good thing, but II Is
! quite possible for any boy to advance
/ himself through his own effcrts az SELF
/ culture. | continued my work and
studies with such profit. while / was
/ with the company. that. at the age OF
| Is. I found myself IN possession OF the
| entire range OF sciences adapted TO the
| highest efficiency in my occupation, and
! by general reading | had also gained
] some breadth of general culture.
| When / was placed over the depart
/ ment OF mechanical drawing / was also
made private secretary 10 the suosrln-
/ tendent of machinery. At the age OF
| IS / was appointed assistant suoerin-
| tendent OF machinery by John Newell.
/ then president of the com2any. Mr..
| Newell was a typical example of a self
| made railroad man and was never slow
in opening the way for promotion TO de-
/ serving and energetic employees. Ii has
| alweYs been my experience that rail-
road officials are willing to advance
their men Just as soon as they deserve
II. and are quick to recognize a young
man who is really anxious to sm&rove
| his position.
] When / was a very young man in Chi
cago ! was interested in every organiza-
tiOn which would assist me In my
| studies. For several years ] was oresi-
! dent of the Young Mems Literary So
ciety. an institution which did much 10