The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-03-26
Railway Labor
as a Life Work

4 \ RULE persons who scr; positions II
IA any of the higher grades of railway I'm
u employment, do SO with the intent o
making ii 'ife.woik. Tho railwa,
companies, on their part, prefer men under !,
years of age, unless they have had previous cN
pericncc. OF young men who enter the service
there is chance for promotion They arc rr
q'iircd to begin in some subordinate position. a.
hrakemcn or firemcn in order that they acquire .
knowledge OF the duties required in an ad
vahccd position. One of the largest railway Svs
tens in the United States pridcs itself upon tn,
fac, that its principal officers have worked them
selves up from the bottom Of the service thereby
| understanding the details in every particular
The question OF pcrnanency. however. is very
largely an economic one, and depends upon tive
sets Of conditons-thc causes and methods OF
discharge, ana the conditions Of promotion
CAleEs AND METHODS or DISCHARGE
Changes have taken place in recent years in
the rules governing discharge in force on The
leading railroads. The causes for instant dis.
niss,l have been largely reduced in number
On many roads, certain causes such as fagrant
violation "t rules, intoXcatiou, naturalization.
dishonesty and gross carelcsSncsS or negligence,
bring about dismissal without appeal, and some
roads will not employ cigarette smokers, heicv.
ing that ii rnpairs the mind to such an extent
Us TO cndangcr safety. Boards OF inquiry have
taken by those who feel that they have been
wrongfully dismissed.
Lattcily. different system has been adopted
on most OF the roads, especially in the higher
grades Of the service. 4 record is kept of each
mans labor wherein the good and bad of his
work appears Accidents will happen, and blum.
dcrs will be made by the best of employees. Any
accident or blundcr made is entered of record
against the cmploye in question, and. as time
rolls on. if this record increases that it shall
he styled an Accumulated bad record" and his
previous service does not show careful and
safe person, he il liable to be dismissed. Ii his
record for service has been favorable. slight
bunde,S are overlooked. and the cmplovc knows
nothing OF his dcmcrits and he is continued at
work.
CONDITIONS or PROMOTION.
Civil service rules apply very generally to
questions of promotion and, a general thing,
promotions are usually made within the service
Men are transferred from freight to passenger
trains, and thus stimulating evey man to do
his best, in view Of possible advancement.
About four years ago the Delaware and ITud.
company issued bulletin which emhodies
at length their system OF "discipline by record
for permanent employees. An individual az.
count has been opened with each empoyc in I,
book kept specially for that purpose in the su.
pelintendcntS Office
Among causes for dismissal are 'dSloyalty in.
temperance, dishonesty. gross carelcsSneSs or SER
io,is OfenSc OF like nature
~ charge will be made on the record book
for every case OF neglect Of duty. violation OF the
rules or regulations accidents not mcrting dis
missa improper conduct. etc Instead OF Slts
pension Except for Investigation the cmploye
will he allowed TO continue at work
Charges will he investigated before being re-
corded. and notice given the person affected.
The record is private one, and no one but the
person implicated will he shown ii.
"Whcn the record against IN cmpIoyc becomes
such as to demonstrate his mftnesS for the scr.
vice. he will be dismissed.
especial credit will be given on an employees
record and may also be buctinrd for notably
excellent conduct. good Judgment in cmcrgsn-
cirs. etc
Record bulletins will he issued by the super.
intrndent from time to inc. as may he ncccs.
sary in the interest OF discipline. Names
will not he mentioned in these bulletins, the
chief object being educational"
They ask the cooperation Of employees p
in giving correct accounts of any mislaps on
The luld, in which they should he interested.
We shall thus secure higher state nj efficiency
by Judging each ease on its merits; enable the
omployc to gain in sclf-respcct, in loyalty,
watchiulncsS and zeal for the employers interest
and establish discipline in which the element OF
force it no. predominant; become acquainted with
such eases rs may he bullctincd and learn from
them the lesson that Is taught by the failure of
others; avoid loss OF time and earnings; develop
feeling OF confidence and security which will
benefit and encourage the good men, while those
who are mhilually careless and Indifferent will
be dropped from the service
Some roads have Il system of Suspension for
periods ranging from five to sixty days.