The Washington herald., 1910-07-31


ing young men, guarding the savings OF
the thrifty. supporting rest houses, hos
pitfalls. and schools.
Probably nothing has done more for
the cause Of temperance than the stand
which the railroads have taken on the
use Of liquor. Not only is drunkenness
generally recognized as cause for dis
missal, but one after another the rail-
roads are going so far as TO discourage
all drinking. Many Of them have rules
forbidding any employe TO touch OF use
intoxicating liquor in any form.
Railroads start Clubs.
The extensive club lfe among railroad
employees is one Of the most important
results OF the interest shown by the rail-
road in the daily life Of it's men. When
the engineer. or the fireman. or the con-
ductor leaves duty now, in some town
away from home. he is not forced into
a saloon for comfort he goes to the
railroad club, where he may mix with
his fellows in clean surroundings. with
books. newspapers. games and music.
At this same club he is able 10 get an
appetizing meal at low price.
The club houses are provided by the
companies 1t may be philanthropy, II
may be good business: probably II is
both. The company reaps its return in
the faithful service and sObriety Of its
force. and brings hours Of content into
the life Of many a man who would never
have similar opportunities II he were
left to find his own recreation.
In some cases the club is not called by
that name-it is known as the Railroad
Y. NJ. c. A. But in fact the two are the
same. as the railroad is the principal sup
porter OF its local Y NJ c. A. OF the
total current expenses, agregating N,l25,-
600 last year the railroads contributed
thirty-fve per cent.
SURPRISES the saloon.
The railroad club has all the freedom
and equality Of the saloon without the
liquor and the dirt. 1t is exclusive only
in the sense that only employees can be
members. There is no other requirement
except that members shall conduct them
selves as gentlemen. weIl-stocked
reading room, billiard and pool tables
a piano. and plenty OF easy chairs pro-
vide for the most divergent tastes. Bath
rooms are always a prominent feature,
and every part OF the club IS kept scru-
pulously clean. The railroad company
provides for the cost Of administration,
employs a club director. and sees that
everything goes smoothly. There is no
membership fee. the only expenses to
employees are the small charges for meals.
billiards. and lodging all OF which are
supplied at cost
Recently the Southern Pacific built
eleven club houses. costing from $4,000
10 $4,000 each. Every one Of these is IN
charge Of a secretary, and is construct
ed for holding OF dances, lectures, and
entertainments.
The Atchison. Topeka and Sante Fe
Railroad maintains twenty clubs for it's
employees, and entertainments are given
once a week. In the isolated places these
entertainments are open to the towns
people as well as the railroad men.
Y. VI. c. A. Was Pioneer.
The pioneer work in afforuinE social
benefits to employees was done by the
railroad branch Of the Y. NJ. C. A. It
was so successful that many Of the roads,
especially In the East. prefer still to con-
tribute to the Y. NJ. c. A. and leave the
details OF the management 10 that or
yanization rather than conduct the club
on their own account. Last year the
Railroad Y. NJ. c. A. owned and occu-
pied 30 buildings valued at S2.599.6
1t occupied fifty-four other buildings pro-
vided by the railroads, valued at 81 $50. OOO
The building in New York given by the
railroads is valued at S225, 900. There is
one worth $4,000 in st. Augustine, Fla
The pensions systems which have been
established by the companies. and the
relief funds which they manage, have been
Of inestimable benefit 10 the employees
The pension plan has been extended sc
far that now forty per cent Of all rail.
road employees in the United States are In
line for a steady income when they are
retired. On the Baltimore and Ohio. fol-
example. $50 employees are carried on tht
pension roll to-day, and the contribu-
tons by the company to the fund have
already run up to S1.250,0O0.
Form Relief Societies.
Railroad men have been encouraged tc
form relief associations 10 care for the
widows and orphans The companies
contribute heavily to the relief funds
furnishing Offices, stationery, and clerical
forces.
The Baltimore and Ohio started Off itt
relief association with a gift Of 800. 0O
and has since borne all expenses OF ad.
ministration.
The Philadelphia and Reading contrib
uted a like sum for the relief fund OF
its employees, and has given annually
FIVE per cent of the amount contributed
by the members OF the fund: in this case
also. the company bears the expenses Of
management
Inc announcement OF thrift amonl
their men is part Of the policy Of tn,
modern railroad The company volun
teers TO take care Of the savings Of Il,
employees and guarantees. say, 4 pc
cent interest. If the deposits earn NOR,
than four per cent, Of course. the EN-
ployes get the benefit Of the excess. Saw
ings deposits intrusted 10 one large rail
road aggregate s45OO.OOO. Since the sys
tenn was inaugurated, loans to employee!
for the building Of houses have aggre
gated Ss.00O.OO0.
In 1855 10 1907. employees savings taker
care OF by the Pennsylvania Railroad
amounted to more than S11.0O0.0O0. Tn,
interest on the savings came to a tota
Of 81. 225. 900.
Educate the EmpIOye.
The educational work Of the railroad.
has grown until every large company Il
practically a technical college. Appren
tice systems have been adopted. Tn,
company gets men as young as 1t car