The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-02-13
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RAILROADS

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&: SUCCESS IN RAMROADMG ):
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,(By ]. T. Harahan, Second Vice Presi-
dent Of the Illinois, Central iRailroad.l
Success In q railroad career, as in
any other line, is, as an abstract prop
osition, due to the possession and APP
plication Of certain essential qualifica-
tons. Industry. intelligence, perse-
verance and q fair education, together
with the faculty of promptly grasping
q situation, are prime requisites, and
in these days Of specialization, even
In the operation of railroad properties,
the Importance Of technical knowledge
cannot be overlooked. This latter l
deem especially desirable as the
foundation for a railroad career. It is
not; Of course, given to every young
man entering the employ of railroad
to possess these attributes, but hav-
ing them, IL he is willing to begin at
the bottom, learn thoroughly every de-
tail Of the work. of the department in
which he is employed and expect pro-
motion only by reason of merit and
ability he is bound to win recognition.
Too much stress cannot he laid upon
the Importance of gaining thorough
knowledge Of the basic principles un-
DERIVING the work assigned begin
ner in railroad service. He should not
only learn what he has to do, hut why
he must do 1t and what relations his
work bears to other departments.
Practical experience only will cover
this point.
A young man who hopes to achieve
a high position may be disheartened
for the time at the prospect Of serv-
ing years in subordinate positions be-
fore attaining something worth while,
he should bear in mind that the sue
cessful railroad men of today have fol-
lowed this course, and many of them
did pot receive as large salary as
is paid an apprentice today. To do
this involves at the outset the over
coming Of false pride. There is moth
ing which so broadens, the mind of
man Of keen perception as close as
ISOLATION with his fellow men, and rub
bling shoulders with them day by day
never hurt anybody, even though they
may wear greasy jackets.
Technical Knowledge.
have mentioned the value of a
technical education. Thousands of
boys today must earn a livelihood and
many of them assist in the support
of parents ana others when they
should be in school. This class, of
course, cannot attend college to Sc
cure a technical education. However,
in every town Of considerable size
there are night schools In which one
may educate himself sufficiently to
prepare for something higher. After
this a correspondence course in any
one of the several technical schools
will fit a young man for better posi-
ton than he might be able to I'LL with
practical knowledge alone. These
technical courses take time, probably
three to five years, but they do not
interfere with the young mans earn
ing capacities. and combine the theo-
retical with the practical.
The environment Of young man
Of proper spirit entering railroad serv-
ice is calculated to develop the quail
tiles have mentioned, whether he
work In the shops. on the tracks, in
the train service or office. OF all
things, avoid getting in a rut. The
man who cannot see beyond the con-
fines Of his shop or office will remain
in that position. The broad man will
observe the interworkings of the de-
partments and he will become Inn
pressed with the necessity for perfect
Organization.
Like Big MacnIne.
Railroads as now operated in this
country are big machines. It would
be amiss to consider each department
as wheel and each employee in that
department as a cog in that wheel.
from the apprentice or Office boy to the
president each does specific work.
And when a railroad man regardless
Of his positionsrealizes that as a cog
Of q great WORKING mechanism, sue
cessful operation depends on how he
fulflls his duty, 1t behooves him to
put forth the best that is in him.
The general scheme of railroad OPP
Grafton contemplates the carrying ont
by subordinate employees or depart
ments Of policies outlined by the next
superior. AS general proposition
everybody on a railroad Is answerable
only to his superior officer. So well
arranged is this system that circum-
stances rarely exist to justify a sub
ordinate questioning a superior's or
ders. However, there Is always war
rant for the use Of judgment. II an
order 10 manifestly incorrect, an in
ferior would do right In calling the
matter to his superior officers atten-
ton. ,sy ,99s
Generally speaking, however. strict
compliance with orders Is essential to /.
the proper operation Of railroads.
Obey orders" Is q maxim In railroad
ing. While ct first this may sound q
little harsh II will not upon analysis
be found 30. The word "obey', u nee
essary when It 10 considered that In
,strnctions sent out by any oficer us 4
nally Affect the operation Of shundreds
of miles OF r0ad. Thousands Of ship
pers and hundreds Of thousands Of
travellers. while back Of all these COM
'mands, depends the success OF the
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