The Washington herald., 1908-08-30

sheds. which extend along the main line
tracks for 60 feet, are piled high with
oaled raw cotton billed to Lowell Mass
reminding one of a cotton-laden steamer
On The Lower Mississippi River. and to
day many carloads oS neatly bale,4 sheet
Ing are on their way 70 Lowell from
southern mills. each bale containing $50
yards.
In addition 90 the eighty locomotives
That pass over the tracks each day. there
are seven shifting engines permanently
connected with the yard, and these are in
almost constant use
There are from six 70 eight hundred
employees o. all classes. the pay roll
amounting 20 $4,000 month There Is
employed IN the sUperlutendeurs once a
clerical force Of 125 clerks. about - OF
whom are engaged IN making out way
bills ard bills q iadi-S. and others are in
charge OF the supply department. ice
plant. electric plant. and hotel" the
latter being presided over by an accom-
mcdatlE cclOred man and TWO call boys
one ot whom is on duty during the dzy
and the other az night. each receiving q
salary Of 81 a month
These Departments and plants. with the
exception OF the ice plant. which Is 81 the
far south end. are n separate brick
buildings IN the center Of the yard and
are overlooked by the superintendent
otilce, which is located OF ground elevaI-
ed above the yard proper.
For Trainmen's Comfort.
Entering the yard from the north. the
first building reached is one devoted 70
the comfort OF the great army q train
men who are coming and going at al
hours OF the day and night and whose
lives are spent. and too often lost. upon
the road Here a hallway leads directly
into the wssHroou. supplied with rows
upon rows Of separated wash basins
equal 10 those in the state. War, and
Navy building in Washington City. and
kept in much better condition We pass
from the washrOom along the hall 20 q
combined kitchen and dining-rOOm. where
are found neither cook. waiter, cooking
utensils. nor table furnishings. An odd
kitchen and dining-roon, 10 be sure, but [
Two large oil stoves. one long table with I
q long bench on each side. three banks [
Of lockers made Of iron Il Is q large /
room and the rest Of the space IS taken /
I'd by air-purs air, and clean
The system in this hotel IS most simple /
and perfect. and the bill Of fare may be I
Just as cheap OF expensive as the tran
sient cares 70 make Il; indeed, he must 4
bring his own pr0vendeT and DO his own 4
cooking.
Cook Does Not Kick
There is no such thing as kicking the 4
cook. and tips are not expected Each 1
man. as he comes In from his long run
Is only too glad OF a chance 10 take q
wash down, and then going 10 his locker
he brings out his cooking utensils, his
plate. cup. knife and fork, napkin. and
maybe his finger bowl Now he prepares
bis meal. whether It be breakfast, dinner,
supper. or midnight lunch The upper
aoor Of the building IS devoted TO sleep
.ng quarters. where thirty-six cots are
provided fn several large. well lighted
and aired rooms. six cots in q room. each
cot being covered with a sheet as white
as snow (at first az least. and all the /,
room without even a chair OF picture 10
collect the dust-jUst simply clean The
,au boy viii wake the guest at the prop
r time for his train, and that there can
be no doubt about the trainmen being
fully awake, he must give the boy an ac-
signed. sealed, and deliv-
red
The next building visited is the OIL
house. where. under signs upon the wall
abeled Headlight" signal" SC, fau-
,ets extend from which the young man
n charge draws and fills each lamp or I
aatern presented. not an oil tank being
ieen- The tanks are sunk three feet be
Ow the surface Of the ground outside the
,uiiding. the oil being raised by com
,ressed air, q chart IN the supply room ,
ank- Here, too, remarkable cleanliness