Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-08-28
YOUNG MEN FAVORED
ON ALTON RAILROAD

OunS men, native TO the cities,
villages and country along the line
of the Chicago d Alton railway, will
be given the preference hereafter
in the selection of employees by the
railway company. These recruits
will be accepted only after a thor
ough investigation has been made
into their habits, characters and
ambitions by the recently created
employment bureau of the road.
The work of selection will COM
mence before the aspirant for a rail-
way position has ever filed an ap--
plication for place, and will be
carried on until he finally has salts
fed Supt. James H. Barrett that he
has in him the stuff for a good tele-
graph operator, fireman, engineer,
conductor, brakeman, switchman or
other operative connected with the
transportation department of the
road. To conduct this work a spe-
cial bureau has been created, in
charge of W. \. Freese, of Blooming
ton, superintendent of telegraph. A
part of the work of the bureau is to
encourage the railroading ambi-
tions of the village and country
boys.
Il believe we can get better rail-
road men from the district which
our road traverses than from outside
states said Supt. Barrett last even
ing. 1.-The interests of the terri
tory along the road are identified
with our interests. Therefore, we
have decided to select our future re-
cruits from this territory. The sons
of farmers, of village artisans, and
storekeepers, reared in good homes
and of sterling native character
are the kind of material we want in
our service. We will give them and
the sons of our. old employees, first
chance"
The superintendent said that the
bureau would go even farther, and
would by judicious drumming en-
courage such young men t, seek po-
a force of clerks who from time to
time will visit the towns and the
countryside and suggest to the
lively young men the advantages of
railroad work.
There are many young men in the
country and villages who would
like to become employees of the road,
but who are timid about applying
for positions for fear of rehuffs,''
said Mr.. Barrett. ITO these we will
lend little encouragement. L have
prepared a circular setting forth
that their chances are good and in
structing them how to apply for
places Mr.. Freese and his clerks
will visit the towns and inquire as to
their habits and character and make
a record of their findings. The ap-
plicants will be observed for a time,
and the result of these observations
Will go towards making the sum to-
tai of the report which Mr.. Freese
will make to me. From these re-
ports L will select the young men
WHO meet the requirements, and they
will be employed as we need them.''
The superintendent believes that
this system of recruiting will raise
the standard of character among
the employees of the road from the
lowest to the highest position con-
nected with the transportation de-
partment. 1t will do away with the
tramp railway men and improve the
service.
.sThe work will be conducted along
the lines of civil service said the
superintendent. 1--WE will by this
method of inquiry and test create
sort of eligible list, and places on this
list can be had only by satisfying
the bureau of the qualifications of
the applicant. Everybody chance
is as good as the next ones if his
qualifications will stand the test.
The plan was put into operation
Aug. 1, and is getting into working
shape rapidly. 1 do not know wheth-
er the plan is in use elsewhere