The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-07-24

Good discipline Is an essentlai factor
OF sound organization, and nowhere is
this fact recognized more than on the
great railroads. of this country.
For many years the Lehigh Valley
Railroad has punished minor infractions
of its rules by what are known as rec
ord suspensions" II is easily recognized
that on a great railroad system. where
thousands Of men are employed, there
will occur certain infrsctions Of the
rules which are not sufficient to merit
dismissal, but which cannot be passed
by without some discipline being in
ficted.
Dismissal a Hardship.
The old method was to suspend a man
| for a certain period. thereby depriving
him OF the wages which he would other
wise earn. AS this not only disciplined
the employee. but in many cases worked
hardship on his Family, a system Of
record suspensions" was adopted,
whereby no time is lost by the employee;
however, the suspension OF one week,
two weeks, or one month. as the case
might be- is entered against his rec
ord In the same manner as II he were &C
tually out Of service for that time These
records are taken into consideration when
an employee is considered for promotion.
or is being disciplined for some further
violation Of the rules.
Record suspensions" having been
| found TO be as efficient as actual suspen-
sions-it being a matter Of personal
pride with railroad men 10 have clear
record-it was decided by the Lehigh
| Valley Railroad TO revise further their
| system of discipline so that, beginning
July !, 1910. employees with imperfect
records would have an opportunity 70
clear them by loyal and efficient service
In the future, and 20 provide a system
whereby their future records would re-
celve the benefits OF meritorious service
Record May BE Cleared.
Clear records for stated periods will be
recognized by credit allowances. and
heroic or meritorious service. whssher in
or out OF the usual line OF duty OF the
employee will be rewarded by further
| credit allowances. A definite limit to de-
merit record will be established to indi-
| cate the unfitness OF an employe TO be re-
taned in the service.
Employees found guilty OF disloyalty 70
| the company INSTRUMENTATION. drunken
ness, carelessness, or Indifference 10 duty,
or other gross violations OF rules, will
be summarily dismissed from the service
Employees having a clear record for two
years prior to July l. 1910, will be en-
titled TO cancellation OF all dement's prior
to that date. a clear record for one
year prior 10 July /, 1910 will cancel all
demerit records prior to January ]. 1905,
/ and a clear record for twelve consecutive
months at any time after July l. 1910
vii; cancel demerit records TO that date.
Two Years Cancels All.
Employees not having a clear record for
one year prior 20 July 1, 1910, win retain
their records as entered upon the books
but a clear record for twelve consecutive
months at any time after this notice be-
comes effective will cancel their demerit
record prior to January /, 1906. and a
clear record for two periods Of twelve
consecutive months each, VIII thereby
| cancel all demerit records to July l. 1910
! Employees who entered the service
| since January /, 1905. will be enabled by
a clear record for twelve consecutive
months prior 10 July /, 1910. to cancel al
demerit records to that date. Such en-
ployes not having a clear record foI
twelve consecutive months prior to July
!, 1910. will be enabled by clear record
for twelve consecutive months at any
time after July l. 1910. 10 cancel demerit
records TO that date
Thus 10 every employe is given an op'
portunity to clear HIS past record.
In addition to credits for meritoriou'
and commendable action, clear records
will entitle employees TO credit records &c
apply against demerit records q. e. rec
ord suspensions'D accruing after july
/ /. 1910, as follows;
Ten days will be Cancelled by a cleal
record OF six months. Thirty days vii
be Cancelled by a clear record for twelve
months. Sixty days will be Cancelled BY
a clear record for eighteen months
The minimum merit or dement, record
will be I'VE days and the maximum sixty
days.
When an employees demerft record ag
gregates ninety days he WILDE relieved
from duty.