The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-02-27
SUMTER S. c. WEDNESDAY. FEBRUARY 2a 1902.

r1OuS or pOSSlD4y 10 OlSdSlIouS IeSuilS'
Of even more importance than a
careful observance Of duties pre-
scribed by the company is obedience
to law. Many Of the relations be-
tween the railways and the public are
now regulated by federal and State
statutes, and every official and en-
ploye Of the Southern Railway COM
pany must understand that its busi-
ness affairs are to be conducted at all
times in strict accordance with the
laws of the land. No transaction or
practice that is forbidden by the laws
can be permitted, and as lam sure
you all understand, there must be no
resort to evasion of any kind.
AS representatives of the Southern
Railway company you should bear in
mind at all times the basic fact that
the interests of The railway and Of
those served by it are identical and
that they are inseparably interviewer.
The railway can posper only as a
result of the prosperity Of commuai-
ties by which the demand for trans
portation is increased, and the pros
perity OF the south can continue and
can be brought to the highest level
only through adequate and efficient
transportation facilities. At the pres
ent time, when every effort is being
made to- supply additional facilities
and more efficient services, nothing is
more important than that the truth
of this proposition should be realized
by men in all lines of business. When
once this identity Of interests is thor
oughly understood the railroads of
the south and the people will be
brought together in more harmonious
cooperation for the development Of
the natural resources Of the south
and for the expansion of all lines Of
industry. The men in the freight
and passenger departments are in a
position to do much to bring about
this mutual good understanding and
this harmonious cooperation for the
upbuilding Of the territory traversed
by the lines OF the company. Your
careful attention to the wants Of the
people and your considerate treat
ment of everyone having business
with the road will serve as constant
object lesson of its interest in the in.
dividuals and communities along its
lines.
My personal experience convinces
me that the people as a rule are fair
minded and when fully informed can
be relied upon to deal justly with the
transportation interests.
I feel sure that it is only necessary
to direct your attention to the import
al:ce Of your relations to the public,
and that we shall have your loyal sup
port in carrying out what is the pol
icy Of the company-the building up
Of a thoroughly efficient transportation
system on the solid basis of harmo-
NOUS relations with the people along
its lines.
There is another point to which
desire to call your special attention:
The management of the Southern
Railway has been confded to US as
high and sacred trust. This trust is
not confined to the president, the gen.
eral officers or the board Of directors.
It applies with equal obligation, in
his sphere Of action, to the humblest
employe as it does to the highest.
Each has his duty to perform and,
in the performance of that duty, he
represents the railway and is engaged
in the performance of trust in re-
spect to it. The brakeman cannot
perform the presidents duty, nor can
the president perform the brake
mans. Each man must do faithful
ly his own duty, and only in the hon
est and faithful performance of duty
by all can there come proper meas
ure of success.
The railway and the public are en-
titled to the very best that is in our
EMPLOYEES, from the highest to the
lowest-they are both entitled to de-
mand that there shall be no luke
warm or limited service, but that the
heart of our employees shall be in
their work All Of us have volun-
tarily undertaken duty in respect
to this property and the railway and
the public should receive from each
Of us full and faithful performance.
wish to build up among all our
employees spirit of interest and CO.
OPERATION spirit in which each
man will recognize that he is identi-
fed with the railway and will earn