The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-12-06

4
/ trains waiting for them to be made
out that a lot could be saved in the
way of damages If the agents and
trainmen would be more careful in
handling goods. Men from every
branch of the service had suggestions
/ to make. Real enthusiasm and loyal
ty were aroused
TIE first month after the meetings
were held the fuel bill of the "oma-
/ ha" was s3s.00o less than 1t had been
/ the month previous. The total saving
in all operating expenses reached the
/ large sum of 100000 in single
month. And. 1t should be remem-
bered. the Omaha had before that
time an extremely well managed and
profitable road. The great savings
made did not represent the cutting
off of any unusual and reckless waste
II was simply an illustration of what
could be done by the earnest and
hearty corporation of all the men
employed on the line. A certain por-
ton Of the amount saved was also
due to demonstrate the tremendous
possibilities of the idea
The managers of other railroads
We're quick to realize its value. Pat
rick Henry Houlahan. who took hold
as general manager Of the Chicago
& Alton while the panic was as its
height, was one of them.
The first step Houlahan took in the
way Of cutting down expenses was to
order meetings twice month at ev-
cry division headquarters on the sys-
tenn. The general manager himself
attended these meetings as often as
possible. Always there were present
all the division officers and as many
men Of the operating force as could be
spared from the work. Suggestions
We're invited from everybody and the
floor was open To a perfectly free
discussion. The newest swItchman
was quite welcome to point out where,
in his opinion. the division superin-
tendent had made bad mistake.
After these fortnightIy meetings
had been held for six months the bal
ance sheet of the Alton for the fiscal
year was prepared. 1t showed. rs wa.
the case Of every road. considerable
drop In gross income-a loss OF s12o.-
oo0-but Mt the same time running ex-
penses had been cut down to the ex-
tent of $4,000. Most of this saving
months and great share OF 1t was
due to the added care and loyalty on
the part Of the individual workman
These cooperative meetings of Off
GERS and men are still kept up along
the lines of the Alton.
Having seen what the new spirit of
mutual understanding and helpfulness
would do on the Omaha" Mr.. Gard
ner and his nsSnnintoS Iatara,t...1
try something of the same kind over
the whole great system of the Chi
cago & Northwestern railroad. The
Operating Officers association, COM
posed of some SO keen and alert men
who have charge of the executive
work on the system. was set to study
ing the situation The problem was a
difficult one. for the Northwestern
operates thousands OF miles or track,
employs tensa OF thousands Of men
and sprawls Its length over a dozen
states. 1t was finally decided to use
the associations of station agents on
each divisions of the system as CEN
tiers OF the new propaganda.
Each month every one, of the assoc
Citations of agents holds meeting.
which all the other operating en-
more of the vice presidents and other
general officers from the headquarters
in Chicago are also usually present
Suggestions are asked and given and
the discussions are as free and open
as possible. So much food had al /
ready resulted that the meetings are
To DE continued indefinitely. A sim
liar plan Is being carried out along
hA ltt,a Of
and other railroads are fast falling
into line.
A most important development of
the new cooperative movement. of !
the new and better understanding be- /
tween railroad officials and the men |
employed In the operating force. is /
the organization of the American Rail- /
road Employees and Investors associa- /
ton. which has now been in opera |
ton about year. with headquarters
In big Chicago skyscraper. Rail- |
road companies. which own and OPP |
crate half the total mileage In the /
United States are already members of |
this association and are backing 1t fl +
nancially.s AT its head is p. II. Nor
risey, long the head of the Brother /
hood of Railroad Trainmen the largest /
VI the ituI uI1luHS TO winch most up- +
Grating railroad men belong. Already
a start has been made towards enlist
ing the active interest of the indivfd-
nai railroad worker. About IS 900 rail
road men are now contributing menu
hers and the work of organization Is
being pushed. especially in the west.
The object of the new association is
To contribute in every lawful way 10
the advancement and prosperity of
the railroad business and of everybody
connected with il. Especial is i
hoped, the individual members of the
ASSOC iation. to educate public opinion
l. correct understanding Of the
passage of what railroad mon think
aatair and unjust legislation may no
enger be possible. Inciden;ly il will
max. more remote thu possibility Of
= lroad strikes and lGc<uuts. And in
mat respect it ". | serve "A most uss-
lHl public purpose.
\ sprained ankle Will usually dis
ihle the injured person for three or
four weeks. This is due to lack of