The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-03-16
Union Pacific Official Tells of
Ambition i'm Railroading.
Men Should Feel That Big Posi-.
ton Is Awaiting Them.
TO GET TOGETHER.
Frank Intercourse Between Of
ficials and Men Needed.
other Items of General Interest
in Railroad Circles.

IN speaking of ambition and zeal
among railway employees H. r. New
iean' secretary to the general superin-
leIloent OF the Union Pacific, read the
lolloWing to the officers of the road:
IN my travels 1 visit much with the
traInmen, enGiremen and other en-
floVes. Reing one of the rank and file.
nave better chance, to hear their
real opinions than do officers. The most
widespread complaint is that their re-
ATOMS with the officials amount large
~ TO nothing said when all goes well:
oischarge or condemnation when mis-
taxes are made Therefore. manv of
mem 1eel that they are whipped into
cong right rather than encouraged to
80, ~ 80 lnrouSh the channel that most
men prefer to be appealed to-their in
tei!ecI- Or course. the men are being
lalu amply for loyal service. but a
a TX salary buys only a fixed amount
OF work and loyalty
1t is not necessary in Tins .,ro.1
IIs TO the men that they Should he i'm
paessed with the idea OF a nossih1e
ssupssI[i.nlendency or general managership
800 m ai'iIls them. Why does the small
10y work with such zeal when his
teacher picks him out as monitor. or
, ~ ulngent!y apply himself after school
nuurs' giving up his outdoor play.
1 MneH she asks him to stay and helm
ner! 1t Is because his pride is stirred
1t is not because he ever exnects or ~,
wants 10 govern the school room. Whv
ootS man who has been attendinS
ta auD meetings for years in a disin-
terested fashion suddenly 1ava1on
great zeal and interest when he is
oelegated to serve on a COMMITTEES or
as an officer of that club? IT is because
ms mental usefulness has been recog-
;,.-- II IS not because he is expect
rrafr.
Qualification P- ~ uiA
II any employee goes along every
cay doing his work to the entire salts.
l LacIion OF an official and sufficiently
Vel 70 merit his pay check, the lack of
punishment should not be the ONLY in
dlcatlon of your appreciation OF him
ne should occasionally be discreaf1v
commended; he should be Acknowledged
aS S q competent force in the operation
OF the road and made to feel that he
is such. mat "e
The craving for fame and the
plaudlts of our Judges is a potent fac
LOT, LOT IN an human nature. Turn where
you WILL the successful official who
Inspires voluntary zeal on the part of
MS men and is loved of them. is the
enc who recognizes this trait of human
enaraceer-not the one who expects to
secure discipline through strenuous
coercion. The fear of discharge does
not deter many of the younger en-
pIoyes from doing wrong things after
iEey nave become beIittled with the
seeming unimpt.rtance Of Themselves
Frank intercourse between officiaIs ana
employees has wrought wonderful re
suits in the right direction.
Inc fact is often bemoaned on large
railways that the employees are NOT a.
loyal as they were 20 or 20 wears AGO.
or rather when the RAILWAYS were in
Ihelr constructive period and the num-
Der OF employees small. Has there been
a radical change in the characteristics |
&c (
Ivy OF employees has become so large |
lnat the men have lost their identity? |
Is 1t not a fact that when a man is |
thus swallowed into the ranks of an |
is deadaned by the comparative obIvion
INTO which he is forced? Was he not
during the constructive period, a vital |
necessity to his employers; was he not |
S Ia "a. upon by his superiors. as well as
oy the prlmltiveness of the railways |
over which he operated, to use his |
Drain power and ingenuity more; was
l. not that which maintained his in
Lerest? Is it not the routine of his |
present occupation and virtual loss of |
that is discriminating per-
sonal zeal?
I'm the United States the day has
passed Wnen men are ruled by fear of |
thelr employers. although they do more
0r less surrender their independence 70
presumed injustices when q wave of
commercial inactivity sweeps the coun- |
ny and creates dearth of positions
me control of man has passed through
-hree phases: he was once controlled
oy supersbtiouS fear: then by the fear
u absolute power: today his continued |
oyalty and employment is largely de-
pendent upon his own satisfaction with
he position occupied and with the en-
oloyer. He was once loyal to the in
1lvldual from whom he got his daily
bread. With jobs plentiful he can pick
and choose and conduct himself quite
If fear does not create
oyalty, what does?
Il mention kindness last. not that IL
s by any means least, but to empha-
size its absolute essentially to all sue
,eSsful endeaVor to call forth from man |
s1nd the best it possesses It's pervad-
ng influence stands out clearly wher-
yer there is contentment, loyalty and
zeal. Kindness should be the pre-
,alnng and hrst principle of discipline.
I this in Itself will not bring about
he desired results a judicious amount
Il sternness added may, but anyone
Who is hab1tually abusive and uncon-
GENIAL VIII always wind up his career
IS an unsuccessful disciplinarian. IL
'lason thompson, in his report for the
Tear 1908. said:
"A study OF accident statistics shows
hat their control is a matter of men. |
We have been multiplying laws and
equations and have been neglecting
he obvious training and discipline of
he only force that has the remedy for
accidents literally and figuratively in
is hands. And by discipline here is
meant, not the discipline that Furnishes
nd penalties. but the discipline that
hstrucrs, perfects and rewards COM !
'etence. obedience and automatic vigil
cnce.'