Newark post., 1910-07-20

tics giving the injuries and deaths due
to the railroad as it exists in America.
But il only seems due, III sense OF
fairness, once i'll while to review the
efforts which the railroads are making
for the all-around betterment OF al
fairs. When we are about to condemn
the whole as an inhuman organization
without heart, where each man is only
a screw in mighty machine. should
we not remember that the American
railroad has catered to the American
people? We are prone TO ask why,
with all our boasted cleverness, is the
problem OF the safe transportation OF
human freight less satisfactorily solV-
ed on this side OF the Atlantic. Euro
pean governments may be stricter than
ours in compelling the adoption OF
safeguards for the passengers. ana
the European company director may
possess a higher responsibility for the
safety of his passengers, but the Amerl-
can demands a mode oi travel which
the English cousin will iorego in order
to possess a greater sense OF security.
The complacent remarks overheard
on a moving express making Its way
to Charing Cross station does not
suggest American liie-"Ghe South
eastern is always behind time. but we
feel that we are saie!" The train was
already an hour late, although the dis
tance was short. In America always
behind time sounds the knell OF
roads popularity. Nothing is more
satisfactory to us than to leave at the
last possible moment and yet keep
our appointment by the clock The
American temperament constantly de-
mands the getting OF the trainload
there on time, and the idea has been
repeated to the railroads that nothing
is SO disastrous as the failure to deliver
on time.
That our railroad corporations are
not entirely heartless creatures, but
that somewhere within their limits
there are cool. keen brains constantly
studying the problem and planning tor
the betterment of all concerned, is
made evident by a review OF that
branch oi the scheme commonly called
in industrial sections welfare work.
There is no surer wav OF securing
greater care in handling the traffic
than by putting it in the hands OF bet
ter men. The efforts that the com
panies are making to secure men OF the
right stamp-those possessing clear
heads. steady nerves, strong muscles
are not generally understood.
The pioneer in this movement was
the Y. NJ. c. A. The railroad depart
ment OF this institution established its
first branch in Cleveland in 1872. Five
years later an international committee
took up the work and it has been in
their hands ever since.
Although the company regarded the
first proposition to start Y. M. I. ~.
branch on the road as doubtful, their
Indifference soon changed to hearty
commentator and liberal support
Now the company usually erects the
building or furnishes the larger pro-
portion OF the construction funds. 1t
contributes 10 per cent of the total
operating cost, the other sixty per cent
being paid by the members. The in
creased interest OF the men is shown
by the TACT that less than ten years
ago the reverse was true. the sixty
per cent. being paid by the company
and forty per cent. by the members.
The buildings. representing all kinds,
range from the S25o,ooo structure in
St. Louis to a couple Of passenger
coaches switched off siding and fitted
UP with simple living appurtenances.
In most cases the headquarters stand
for handsome structures with all mod
ern conveniences making for comfort
and pleasure. Luxurious baths, dor
mitories with clean, fresh bedding.
wholesome food, gymnasia, Libraries,
correspondence rooms, billiard and
pool rooms, base ball bowling and
hockey teams, all make the place at
tractive and exert their influence for
higher and better living.
The keeper OF saloon in one neigh
borhood stated that in three months
after the coming OF Y NJ G. 4.
branch his revenue had dropped from
$4,000 to 500 per month
Every opportunity is provided for
mental Improvement. Lectures are
given OH subjects relating particularly
to railroad work, also on topics OF
general interest Classroms are pro-
vided in which instruction is given in
railroad rules. airbrake operation.
combustion OF coal, mathematics, me-
chanical drawing. shorthand. telegia-
ply, etc. The men are in this way, in
touch with the possibility OF qualifying
for higher positions. In the United
States and Canada there were in 1907,
one hundred seventNtfour OF ahese
railroad y. M. c. AS, with member
ship OF $4,000 and buildings having an
aggregate value OF $500. 200, and the
number is rapidly increasing.
The competency OF the secretaries
who have this work in charge is re-
cognized the world over. When the
problem OF caring for the welfare OF
the employees on the Panama Canal
was under consideration, President
and his counsel Immediately turned to
the railroad secretaries of the Y. NJ
1. A. Tor advice and assistance The
appreciation of this work bv railroad
presidents and public men is summed
up in Roosevelt's words when he said
that IT eXemplitied in practice what he
liked to preach-''the combination OF
eticiency with decent living and high
ideals"
Although all this is encouraged and
supported i'll part by the companies
It is not their own plan, nor are they
the ones to whom the credit is due