The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-12-01
Working of Educational Bureau
of the Union Pacific.
Loyalty and Efficiency Go Hand
in Hand on Road.
STAY INSIDE RANKS
No Outside ImpOrtatiOns to Fill
Vacancies on Lines.
Other Items of General Interest
in Traffic World.

Dexter C. Buell., of Omaha, vice presi-
dent Of the Union Pacific. in an inter-
esting paper describes the educational
bureau established on his road one
year ago last September, and of which
he is the organized and executive head.
One of the greatest problems that the
railroad executive has had to contend
with in the past few years. Mr.. Buell.
remarked. has been the maintaining Of
a satisfactory operating ratio. In only
three or four directions is it now pos
sible to make appreciably large econ
onnies. The executive must endeavor 10
reduce operating expenses through fuel
economies, tonnage economies, reduc-
ton of accidents and claims, tncreas-
ing the efficiency of officials and en-
ployees.
The realization of the first and third
conditions depends on the accomplish
ment of the fourth; and aside from the
consideration of capital expenditures
for heavier power or grade reductions,
economies under the second head also
depend on the fourth. In other words,
the opportunities for realizing more eff
ficient and economical railroad opera
ton depend today largely on tne ra az
road managers ability to increase the
efficiency of his officials and en-
with q. realization of these truths,
Mr.. Buell. continued, the Union Paclrlc
set itself the task of accomplishing re-
s,1Its along the line Of increasing the
efficiency Of it's officials and employees:
and the result was the establishment OF
the educational bureau
Fundamental Principles.
Several fundamental business prin-
ciples were kept constantly IN Inlhu' %
which these are examples: Loyalty anu
efficiency go hand in hand; TO create
LOYALTY employees must know and pc
made to feel that the company Is IN
4aree+ed in their welfare and success
to make them know this, promotlon OF
those IN the service must pc maoe-
seniority and ability both being con-
d."outsiders" must not pc put
over the heads OF loyal and able en-
r1ovees: means must be devised ana
provided whereby ambitious and loyal
employees may have opportunity 10 pc
come better informed concerning tnelr
word and the work Of the position
ahead of them for which they are am
bilious to qualify, for promotion.
The Union Pacific realizes these fun
damental principles. 1t never goes
outside of its ranks to I'LL vacancies II
anv competent employee can be round
for promotioni offers aid to the am
bilious. so that they can fit themselves
to clasp the hand of opportunity II II
is offered to them; and tries to give
square deal" to every man in the ser
vice.
The objects of the bureau are: To
assist employees to assume greater re-
sponsibilities; to increase their knoWI-
edge and efficiency, and to prepare
prospective employees to enter the
service.
Although the bureau maintains the
closest relations with all departments
of the road, it has no authority IN de-
partmental matters.
In organizing the bureau it was de-
70 h6 o.
sisted to assume greater responsible
ties, such assistance must be extended
to every man in the service that de-
sired it, no matter what his position
or occupation might be. 1t was fur
Their decided not to make 1t compul-
sorry upon any one to take up this
work, and to so devise and operate the
scheme as to keep the expense so low
that no question could be raised as to
the benefits more than offsetting the
expense. 1t was decided that the only
way to reach all employees with equal
effectiveness and to insure to every
man the opportunity to take advan-
tage of this offer, was to give the in
struction according to methods of sue
cessful correspondence schools. The
strong points of present correspondence
school methods were strengthened, and
the weak points eliminated as far as
possible.
Advisory Board Founded.
In order to make sure that the bu-
reau's work was being done according
to Union Pacific practices. an advisory
board, consisting of the head Of each
department, was organized This board
met with the chief of the bureau each
week to plan the work, outline the
courses, and direct the policy of the
bureau.
Complete courses are being written
on such subjects as there is the great
est demand for Other subjects or
special lines Of work, on which infor-
nation is desired by only few of the
employees, are being covered by spe-
cial instructions; or, possibly, by trans
ferring the employee to a department
or position where he can gain the in
formation desired through practical
work with the cooperation of the bu-
reau.
Mr.. Buell. in concluding stated that
although no attempt has been made
to get students, the opportunity for
higher education being simply made
known to the employees, more than
l.600 have voluntarily sought the ad-
vantages offered. and so per cent of
these have made good-that is, are