The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1907-05-30

tion consists of properly giving the
correct color of a large assortment of
skeins of yarn. These skeins of yarn
contain many different colors and their
shades. Also they add the dark room
examination. In this you are COM
PEELED to name the colors on lamp. s
You may think this examination not i'm
portant; may look little absurd, but
if you stop to think or ask you can see
the Importance.
All railways handle their trains more
or less by signals. These signals may
be stationary, carried by moving trains
or in the hand. If you pass this exam
inatiOn you are then turned over TO
the department you are assigned to, and
if you are novice you are frequently
examined on the book of rules. You
also must display certain amount of
knowledge of the airbrake. Most rail-
ways have a special car fitted up with
airbrake apparatuses and employ
competent instructor. This car is
moved from division to division and
men are given practical demonstra-
tions with lectures on the use of this
very valuable device. You are pro-
NOTED according to your age in the
service and your ability. 10 receive
final promotion to conductor or engi-
neer you must pass severe test on
the book of rules. Now after man
has spent several years in the capacity
of brakeman, to the initiated the final
step looks easy. There are many tech
nical details l cannot explain in the
movement of trains, and railway Off
cials will not hazard a man not ac-
quainted with every detail. He must
stand a severe test before he is finally
road are subject to and directed by the
dispatcher. This official has charge of
the movement of all trains on his divi-
sion.
Since the A. R. U. strike number
of years ago trainmen begin reorganiz-
ing their lodges. These different un-
ions are divided and independent of
each other. They comprise the Order
of Locomotive Engineers, Locomotive
Firemen, Order of Railway Trainmen,
Conductors and Switchmen. The heads
of these different organizations are
men from the ranks and they under
stand every detail of the railway serv-
ice. They have lodges from Mexico to
Canada and there is hardly railway
in North America but has joint work.
ing agreement with these unions. The
men at the head of these orders have
placed their unions in the front rank
of organized labor.
Much has been written regarding
the handling of trains on European
railways and the strict account that
employees are held by their respective
governments. 1t is said that Illinois
, contains more miles of railway than
: the whole of Europe. can't see any
way to compare American and Euro
pean railways if this is fact. The
!, different states could protect the pub.
lie in many ways, and all states in
time will force railways to take proper
:. = precautions. The state of Illinois q
: few years ago passed a law compelling
: all trainmen to have their trains thirty
= per cent air and recently raised same
;, to fifty per cent. They employ ex-rail
:. way trainmen as inspectors, and tht
trainmen are held responsible. Failure
to comply with this law means heavy
fine.
!. The state of Texas has some queer rail
: way laws and l believe no other stat,
;. guards the public and employees NOR,
;, rigidly. Every railway in Texas mus
corporate under the laws of the state
= they must also maintain in the stat
- - offices and officials from the presiden
= down. 1t is illegal to dispatch trail
from another state into Texas. Rail
= ways have fought this law in ever
: court without avail. In my railwa
experience I have seen some prett
: = bad wrecks, but the worst mixed n
train have ever seen happened on
road leading out of Chicago. Anothe
- young man and myself were statione
q in q box car at the end Of double sracl
q We had charge of an interlockin
! plant. The man working nights coul
= not agree with the dispatcher, which i
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