The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-12-06

MODERN METHODS.
q. p. Want Late Railroad Prin-
ciples Only, Taught.
Other Items of General Interest
in Railroad Circles.

General Superintendent W. L. Park,
OF the Union Pacific, has issued cir
cular regarding the establishment of an
educational bureau of information. 1t
10 the purpose of this bureau to furnish
courses of reading and study especially
prepared under the direction of the ad-
visory board to cover as much of the
.so-called unwritten law of railway
operation as possible. The course will
be conducted somewhat on the methods
OF now existing correspondence schools.
No employe need hesitate to state what
he wants the bureau to do for him or
what line of work he has ambitions to
master. Certain reasonable Quallfica-
lions, however, are implied.
Firemen until they have passed pro-
motion examinations in rules, air brake
and machinery, will be assisted only on
matters pertaining to the knowledge
necessary to pass these promotion ex-
aminations.
Brakemen, switchmen etc, until they
have passed all promotion examinations
for conductors. yard fOremen, etc, will
be assisted only by answers to such
questions as they may ask the inforna-
ton bureau although we do not limit
the number of questions they may ask
An exception to this will be made in the
case of brakemen having had three
least of which has been served on the
Union Pacific railroad, in which case an
advanced course may be taken up with
the permission of the general superin-
tendent.
Stenogra piers. clerks. etc, will be al
lowed to take up studies pertaining to
the department in which they work as
long as they are not of too advanced q
character and in special classes wnere
they are anxious to get into q different
l. "a n
take up a study of work in other de-
partments by the approval Of the gen.
eral superintendent.
1t is not the Intention to teach ele-
mentary or rudimentary subjects. such
as arithmetic. writing spelling gram
mar, etc. which can be learned in ordi-
nary night schools or business colleges,
EXCEPT in certain particular cases. such
as shop classes for apprentices, OF
where an employe Is located at such
point that there is no other way for
him to get this training, and the train
ing of this man in the particular sub
ject would be of benefit to the COM
pany
In planning the different courses now
IN preparation it was. thought best s1a
require each student to familiarize
himself with the history of the Union
Pacific, it's geograpF-- and resources,
and also to give an outline of the fed
eral and state laws which affect the
ROAD. In all cases InlS Will PROBABLY De
the first work of the different courses.
Courses are now being prepared on:
The maintenance Of automatic block
signals.
Mechanical engineering as applied to
railway work.
Track work in both English and Jap
aneSe.
Station work.
Freight traffic.
Accounting
Railway operation.
Electric lighting and power.
Questions and answers for firemen
studying for promotion examinations in
machinery.
Additional courses planned are:
Gasoline motor car work.
Analysis of statistics.
Maintenance of interlocking plants
and their construction.
Car building.
Shop practice.
Civil engineering as applied to rail-
way work.
Refrigeration.