The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1905-01-27
ABOUT THE BROWN SYSTEM
STATEMENT OF FACTS BY VICE
PRESIDENT TODD.

What the System Is-Adyantages All
for the Men-DiseipIlnary but Equit-
able and Just-Nothing New and
Nothing AFbitrary-Better for the
EmpIOye Than the Old way-In Use
on Many Railroad systems-Has No
Connection With Seniority Rule.
Many erroneous statements have ap-
peared in regard to the so-called
Brown System" and an impression
has apparently been created that this
was. some new and arbitrary rule that
the New Haven company was trying to
infiict upon its employees. Therefore,
the following statement of facts regard
ing this matter was made last evening
by Vice-President Todd:
1.-THE Brown system was originally in
use on the Fall Brook railroad, a small
line now part of the New York Central
system.
1T would be impossible to explain
the Brown system in detail, but the
primary point is that where it is neces-
safy for the management of a railroad
TO apply discipline to an employee, in
stead of suspending him, without pay,
for week, month OF two months, or
discharging him, he is continued at
work and disciplined by having a. GER
tain number of bad marks charged
ogaiist his record.
Under the original Brown system,
when bad marks so charged against a
man had reached certain number, he
was dismissed from the service.
"A large number of railroads have
adopted various notifications of the
Brown system, the principal modifica-
ton being that a man is given good
marks as well as bad, a certain number
of good marks eliminating, on some
roads, an equal number of bad marks.
''The Brown system is considered a
very much more merciful method of
discipline than the system ordinarily in
use on railroads.
1.-THE advantages of the Brown sys-
tenn are all for the men, with the ex-
ception that it is benefit to the COM
pany to keep men at work and not have
them under suspension at a time when
men are scarce.
THE company has no particular de-
sire to put the Brown system into eff
feet.
"A request that the management of
this company consider the use of the
Brown system was made upon me by
some Of our most prominent train en-
ployes.
I did not personally wish to have it.
because I had never, used it and was
not entirely familiar with it,
1.-THE matter was again pressed upon
me very strongly by one of the adjust
ment committees of our employees.
1T was then brought 10 me by a sec
ond committee, with a very urgent re-
quest that we adopt it,. .-.-.-s.@.
TN view of the urgency with which
these committees representing the men
! requested the use Of this system,
agreed to give the matter considera-
ton.
st found both President Mellen and
General Manager Higgins had had ex-
perience with the Brown system, and
both liked it. .....4 -.
Eve then made announcement by cir
cular to our employees on January that
as soon as possible some form of the
Brown system would be put into effect,
and that we would be glad to receive
suggestions from the employees.
1.-THE reason for asking for sugges-
tions from our employees in regard to
| this was twofold: First, we are always
glad to receive suggestions from our
employees: second. the proposition to use
the Brown system had originated with
| the employees.
eff the majority of our employees do
I not want the Brown system we certain
| ly have no desire to adopt it.
IAN effort has been made by some
| people to confound the seniority rule
with the Brown system.
1.-THE Brown system has no connection
with the seniority rule, and will in no
| way affect it.
It believe that "a seniority rule is a
necessity for the proper protection of
| the men,.
| oA9o pSiiSFC hiistI Z" ''Siii"4iIS tuiS
| must not be abused-that the senior
| man must have the choice of runs-but
| it, after fair trial. he shows he is in
competent to perform his duties on that
run, he must step aside in favor of the
next man who can properly fulfill the
| duties.
| 'The above is the situation in regard
| to the proposed Brown system and in
| regard to the seniority rule.