The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1909-06-17
About the
Railroad Man
Interesting Facts Bearing Upon the
Education and Training of
Railroad Employees.

Education and Training of
Railroad Employees.
Paper Read Before the Chautauqua Circle.
In opening this paper wish to state
that the words railroad man, as used
here, allude only to those who are
actually employed in thetransportatiOn
department., such as engineers, con-
ductors, fremen, brakemen and switch
men. Further, this paper tt eats of con-
ditions and railroading as well as the
railroad ma of today and not fifteen
or twenty years ago, as there is Iaii-
cal difference between the two.
While admitting it as true, that al
most any ablebOdiei man VINO has had
some expert. nee in such work eau oD-
tain employment FROM roads which are
pressed for men on account OF sudden
ly increased traffic, still l wish to say
tnat such employmentis is of temporary
nature, as will be proved later OH in
this paper. l shall endeavOr to outline
the actual requirements OF man Tilted
physlca ly aud mentally for the severe
strain upon both Of these qualities.
RailrOading demands the best a man
has of these two owing to the nature
or the work. Railroad men are called
for work at any hour of the day or
night, in all kinds of weather and no
excuse outside of actual sickness of
SELF or family will be taken. These ex-
ouses are often requested to be verified
by doctors statement, especially when
they have been repeated OF cited as an
adequate reason for refusing to respond
to call.
Starting a railroad career from any
walk of life means practically the same
means of procedure on the part of the
railroad company. A student, las be-
glnners are Lermed) is givel a letter
signed by the proper official reading
something like this: "Mr. So-and-so has
teen employed as student on this di-
vision aud has been instructed to re-
port to you. You will allow him to
ride with you, instruct him as TO the
duties required of him and keep this
office posted as to his progress aud ap-
pare MT ability. The probation of such
student depends upon two things: His
aptitude to learn and the lack OF ex
peritnced men to carry on the work
but usually about two months. shall
not 90 into details regarding the trials
of student further than to say thai
railread men are human and as rule
as much inclined to have little fur
at the expense of some OF else as mel
in other walks of life. After he has
received the required endorsements
from conductors or engineers, as the
case may be, he is called TO the Office
and given Preliminary examination or
airbrakes, whistles, hand and lanterI
signals, also book of rules. If sue
cessful, he is requested to make out il
triple form PERSONAL record whicl
covers everything from time of brit
to place of last employment, and refer
ences to substantiate his statements
will say in passing that these refer
ences are all looked up and If in on
instance they do not appear satisfactor
to the company The application is null
Also all personal records are sworn t
before Notary Public. If successful
in passing the office he is in turn ez
amined by physician employed by tn
company for such purposes. Here h
meets the crucial period of his lift
for this examination is thorough in a
points and small defect in seeing {
hearing, that perhaps even the appl
Cdt1U UlU IlOt h1lOW cAl6tOO, IL OloCONctC
and it is "back to the woods" for hin
The examination covers all, includin
stiff joints. Hereditary or contagior
diseases are sure roads to rejectmen
So severe and thorough is this exam
nation that life insurance compani,
{ never hesitate to write you a polio
after railroad doctor has approve
you.
The experienced man looking for en-
ployment is treated exactly as the ST
dent, except that he is not required
serve SO long period as such. A brak
man is not requested to make tri
trips. Firemen are, and unless the e
gineer with whom he rides will endor
him he is not given employment.
to promotion, two years and six mont
as freight brakeman are required b
fore he can possibly be promoted al
three years as fireman. These rul
can not be deviated from as they a
part and parcel of signed agreemen
between men and company. Expe
enced engineers or conductors may
employed if they have had two yea
actual experience in that capacity
some other road prior to applicable
And even these are required to ma