The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1907-04-12
ADDRESS OF PRES. W. W. FINLEY
Continued from Page p

man to show what is in him and to
win advancement on his merits as
does railroad work. There are no
insurmountable barriers between the
employees in any department and
the highest Offices in the service of
the company. In this employment
mans individual character and
record are what count, and ability,
reliability and devotion to duty will
win recognition sooner or later.
The future of railroad employee
in any department of the service is
in his own hands. 1t depends up
on the efficiency with which he
discharges his present duties, how
ever unimportant, relatively, they
may seem to him and the diligence
with which he applies his energies
to preparing himself for higher
duties and broader responsibilities.
TO the man who goes through his
days work in a pcrfmctory man
ner and who is satisfied if he can
retain his place and avoid the
criticism of those in charge of his
department railroad work holds
out no inducements for the future.
Its prizes are for the man who is
not content with mere pcrfunctory
performance, who does his work
conscientiously, with the application
of intelligence to the solution of the
unlocked for problems that may
arise at amy time, and who strives
to broaden his understanding of his
duties in their relation to the opcr
alton OF the road as a whole and to
make his services in every way
more valuable to the railway com
pany and to the public.
1t is unfortunately true that
there has not always been Il universal
recognition of the complete identity
of interests that exists between rail
ways and their employees and that
a feeling OF antagonism and diStrust
has at times been developed. /
sincerely hope that we shall have
none d this on the Southern Rail- |
way, apd that good understanding
and MUTUAL confidence shall exist
at all Zines. 1t will continue to be
the p'licy OF the company to meet
it's fen freely and frankly ON
all Questions that may arise. .
Whqt it is impossible for the COM
pauOIto comply with the wishes of
ana lass or group of employees or
of uhy individual the reasons
wh2h compel its action will be
statdd frankly and it is not unrca-
sordble that it should expect its
cnhtoyecs i'll return to recognize
thi Limitations upon it's resources
anitIJhe conditions OF Legislative
red .tion and commercial compe-
titL under which it must do its
wo&a AS responsible representa-
tiyl the company which we all
ses IL want all its employees to
fcltR-.t It it recognizes that its pros
Pad wa depend in large measure
up. ,Wo things-the confidence of
the ,eople served by it and the
loya} by to its interests of every man
WHOM it employs. / want each
one bf you to feel a pride in his
work and in his connection with
the company to look to it's officers
as men to whom he can go with
full confidence of receiving just and
fair treatment and sound advice as
to our common interests.
| believe than / can serve the
Southern Railway Company in no
more effective way than by building
up high degree of loyalty, interest
and pride among its employees; by
encouraging feeling of interdcpen-
dence and close relationship, and
by getting each man to appreciate,
as fully as | do myself, the great
Importance to us all of constant CO.
operation for the highest prosperity
tf the property, upon the success of
which our own success, individually
and collectively, depends. If, with
your help, this condition can be
brought about, the Southern Rail-
way will enter upon new career of
enlarged usefulness and prosperity
and will become q more effective
agency than ever before for the
material development and social
advancement of the Southern
States.
The practical interest of the COM
pany in the welfare of its employees
is illustrated by it's contribution to
the construction of this building.
Among no other class of men has
the Young Mems Christian Associ-
alton done better or more useful
work than among railroad men,