Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-01-24
TEST OF
EFFICIENCY ON
RAILROAD
BRIGHT FUTURE FOR MENlN
TRANSPORTATION SERVICE
Day of FayoritiSm, Drudgery
and SinicureS is Over De-
cIares Expert in Monograph
to Secretary Ballinger

l1N IL
Washington. Jan. 23.-"fhe time
will come when railroad employ for
every man in the service will not mean
d%rudgery, nor ~sinccure, nor accidental
opportunity. but an enlightened, slim
ilating, highly efficient service OF
highest earning power, least uncer-
tainty from accidental causes, largest
freedom for individual initiative, en-
tire self-respect, and thoroughly DEM
ocratic spirit
With this prediction j. Shirley
Eaton, former statistician Of the Lee
nigh Valley railroad, concludes a
lengthy monograph for the United
states bureau of education on "Edu-
cation for Efficiency in Railroad Ser
vice. which Commissions Elmer Il.
Brown has submitted TO the secretary
Of the interior. In his letter of trans
initial Commissioner Brown says the
subject Of educational preparation for
definite occupations in life, and par
ticularly for the several trades, is un-
der serious consideration in the United
States. The relation of trade cduca-
ton to general education is one oil the
important aspects of that question
This relation was summed up by Pres
idcnt Nicholas Murray Butler or CO.
lumbia university, in saying; WHAT
science and practical life alike need
is not narrow men, but broad men
sharpened to the point.
THE advance made in the present
decade in the subject of education for
railroad service is very surprising TO
those who may be uniformed, says
Mr.. Eaton. ideas of practical men
on the subject are now less indefinite
and conflicting. The relation between
education and efficiency in railroad
service is coming to be generally CON
ceded. inc large educational value 81
the railroad service itself Is being
turned TO systematic practical account.
and the value Of educational agencies
in preparing for specific Industrial ci-
f~iciency Is better understood.
The railroad service in the United
states viii shortly reach a total OF
1000, 600 men. 1t is the largest and
most highly organized example of as
sociate effort in mn epoch conspicuous
for industrial and commercial concen-
%tration. Education in a broad sense
must always be a large factor.
IN the course Of railroad develop
ment. there was a first era. which~yts
the era OF railroad building There
was next an era of coordination OF
the railroad service ana finance to
the commercial and financial condi-
tions as a Whole with which the rail-
roads were called upon to deal.
Next came the era of internal ad-
iustment on the physical and mechan-
ical side-perfection OF the machinery
cutting down grades, strengthening
bridges, increasing the train unit. And
now has come the era Of sociological
adjustment. The human part of the
machine is quite as vital as the steel
and wooden part in producing cftici-
ency and so in increasing the income
'"The most practical and efficient
railroad manager today is now square
~ up against the problem which he is
attacking in one form or another, OF
education, Of himself, his staff, the
individuals in the rank and file, and
the rank ana file as a whole. TINS Is
the last and highest and most COM
prehensive stage of the function OF adj
ministration IT implies, for instance. !
an eager. resourceful, s"elf-respecting
individualism throughout the working
force, co~-ordinated with a keen appre-
citation Of the social character of the
work, which expresses itself in a 10y
atty not TO q person or a local group
but to the income o OF the rail-
road-nor yet to n income recount
but to the aggregate of the Income
accounts Of several years These IN
come accounts, showing steady
healthy growth over several years, be-
come at the same time the terms oi
largest service to the community, the
stockholders and the individual en-
ploye.
"A note of warning may at this time
seem to be premature, but certain ten-
denotes are already ~forcshadowed
should not go unchecked. When
the railroad manager ONE fully 70
how his new found tool of cdu-
enables him TO shape almost abb
solutely to his purposes the working
body, there may arise the danger that
specialization In education be
too far.
IF the railroads, when they come
very generally to instruct their en-
turn their back upon the pro-
fessional teacher, severely divorcing
their work in subjcct-matter and In
method form and at the same time
substituting it for the work of the reg
ular established educational agencies
Of the grammar school ana high
school grades. the result car only be
what the psychologist calls arrested
development for the learner.
Railroads as q whole. through ri
representative body such as the Amer
lean Railway association. should in a
comprehensive way TAX up the mat
ter of the education of railroad em-
ployes. AS they now have committees
10 standards of construction
maintenance and operating practice,
should also have q standing COM
of q character to command
confidence. who should sedulously fos-
a closer relation between thc rail-
road and educational agencies.
Mr.. Eaton draws these conclusions
Railroad financial managemenE
incorporate an educational
as q definite part Of their pol
Icy. on the ground of business prud-
sncc. such policies should be inaug-
for periods of not less than five
preferably ten, otherwise the
money appropriated will be largely
wasted.
Railroads should extend the prin-
of definite apprenticeship 60
very department oi the service. and
provide Tor ~ o. grades
u apprentices in order to tske account
II differences in capacity and work
elsewhere. either ian properly ace
.redited schools or by experience. and
eading Ia different grades of service
There should b. formal provision
movement among departments
inder proper Conditions. and thc COM
~ OF railroads should he pa far eN-
ended as 10 formally provide Tor
.ona Interchange oi officials under
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