Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-07-10

ny WcTc 6cAcIAHy GdIlieu Jul IL
would do away with about half Of the
legislation against railroads" These
statements with others of similar ma
lure were made by Walter l.. Ross,
who, having entered the railroad busi-
ness 90 years ago as an Office boy. was
slected vice-president Of the Chicago
& Alton-Clover Leaf system at the age
If AZ years.
Mr.. Ross outlined his policy regard
ing the attitude of the railroad Off
Gals toward the public, and incident
ally described the mental attitude
which he believed most helpful in at
tanning success in business.
"The purpose of q railroad, as l see
It," said Mr.. Ross, who for the last
two years has been traffic manager of
the system of which he is now vice.
president, us to sell transportation to
the people. 1t is not intended to
make a position for you or for me or
for anybody else. 1t is commercial
enterprise with something to sell. and
1t should act accordingly. 1t has been
my constant endeavor to keep in touch
with the people-the patrons of the
railroads. II more officials would
adopt the plan think we should have
better railroad laws and fewer of
them.
II make it rule never to refuse to
see anybody. The man who has a
complaint to make can always come
into my office and tell me about it,
will pass whole day with him, If
necessary in order to convince him he
has no real grievance or to do him
justice.
ut is the railroad officials who sit
behind closed doors and refuse to see
any one who have done much toward
getting the roads into bad repute. The
man whose card is sent back to him
with the words Nothing doing says
to himself: 'Crookedness somewhere,
all right, or why wouldn't they talk
to me?' II this man were made to
understand that the railroads are really
trying to do the right thing. all would
be different.
Il have always instructed all en-
ployes subject to my direction never
to refuse to hear complaints and to
treat compliments kindly. The re-
suit is that l have had little trouble.
Perhaps my success in using this
policy comes from my having been in
close touch with the people all my life
was born in Bloomington, Ill. When
was about 20 years old got job
as office boy on the. Wabash road.
always tried to perform my duties in
that position as il it were the most
important position the road could of.
fer me. The consequence was that
soon became an operator then a chief
clerk, then cashier.
THE next step upward was clerk
In the trainmaster's office. Then be-
came general agent, fors the Indiana,
Illinois & Iowa, andFon Jtehe l, 1904. dt
vision freight and passenger agent. Be
fore the year was out was appointed
general passenger agent for the
Clover Leaf system, and year later
general freight agent. Two years ago
came to Chicago as traffic manager
for the road am at present associated
with.
IF l We're to name any one thing
as being most instrumental in helping
young men to success. it would be
perseverance in the attitude that the
position you hold, however small, is as
important as the highest. Never de-
spise your work Always put into i,
all the energy there is in you. The
man who follows these rules can never
fall far behind"