American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1910-12-03

| It will not be more than a year OF
two now before your ambitious son
has risen to be among the best opera
tors and generator men with the com
pany. 1t is the policy OF practically
all street railway institutions to ad'
vance their own men to the most re
sponsible positions, as each company
has It's own peculiar methods Of wir-
ing and operating, and 1t would take
some time for outsiders, no matter
how capable, to muster these details;
SO the superintendent keep careful
watch of their workmen, taking every
| pains t o assist them in developing
their competency and promoting them
as rapidly as they show fitness and a
place higher up opens for them,
As 1t requires a long time for the
majority of workmen to settle upon
their permanent callings, it follows
that there are frequent designations,
particularly in the lower positions.
This, of course, works to the advant-
age Of your boy, who has already de-
cided that he is going to stick to his
work. Therefore, almost before he
car reasonably expect 1t, 1t is quite
likely that he will be appointed to the
important place of foreman of n Of
the smaller substations, at a salary Of
500 or SO a month. In this position
he is the absolute and direct boss Of
all employees at that station and is
responsible directly to the superin-
tendent for It's maintenance and eff
cheney. He must know more than the
dynamo tenders and switchboard op-
orators, because he has to solve prob
lens that puzzle them, as well as d.
rect the repairing and overhauling Of
machinery, and a call upon the
main office for such additional help
as he may need.
A year or two at this, perhaps, after
having served at the most important
substations Of the company, he will be
gratifled to learn that he has been
promoted as assistant foreman in the
power station. at $125 a month. AS
assistant he will be the actual acting
foreman at night or the dullest period
of the day, in charge of all workmen
at the station, which may number as
many as 40 or SO, and will be in COM
mand during the absence of the fore
man.
OF course, after sufficient time has
elapsed for him to get intimately &C.
quainted with all the details of this
position, he Is the nan for the fore
manship as soon as there is a vacancy,
and will get the place. at a further
advance of at least $25 a month. Some
foremen, who have proved their spe-
cfal fitness, earn as much as 5000 a
month. 1t will require generally from
six to eight years from the beginning
for a young man to rise to a power
house foremanship, though in special
instances 1t has occurred much soon
er.
In ten to fifteen years from the be-
your boy may get his next
jump up the ladder of success and be
made electrical superintendent Of
power house and substations at a sal
airy of $500 to SO, 800 annually, when
he will be superior to all foremen, in
the important man in the pow
house, and will have such a wide
range Of activities as to make him
me of the most important officials in
company. He may even be re-
to direct the entire motive
power of the system, including the
steam plants, and he superintends the
enlargement, construction and repair
all stations.
From here on our sons career
'ests largely upon his own efforts. He
reached this superintendency in
to fifteen years from the time he
began as a humble wiper and roust-
lbout. and is just beginning his prime.
I he wishes to advance still higher,
Is he probably will, it is reasonably
that he can reach a general
'uperintendency or other high station
n time.
Different customs of administering
he details of the work herein out
ined obtain with various companies:
nut the general features are as given.
1910. by the Associated Lit
erary Press.)