The herald., 1911-07-27
THE HERALD
RAILROAD MEN HAVE MEETING
AND SMOKER.

, Contessa Hall in Algiers was tn,
scene on Saturday night of a larg,
gathering of railroad men from Al
giers, McDOnoghville and New Or
leans, the occasion being the visit o
Grand Vice-President Phillips and Gen
eral Chairman Fred Barr of the At
lantiC System, both prominent mem
bers of the National Body of LocomO
tive Firemen and Enginemen. IL wa.
a joint meeting of Lodges 1873, 267 anC
399 of that large and prosperous or
ganizatiOn. After much business haC
been transacted the meeting adjourn
ed and the men enjoyed a smoker al
which there was dancing and refresh
ments.
State Senator Robert O'Connor OF
Algiers delivered an address on the
Railroad Man and His Occupation.
Mr.. O'Connor said in part:
"A good railroad man possesses first,
courage of the highest order, daring
great danger, sometimes with all of
its horrors perceptible. Again, he
meets it without the least fore knowl.
edge or preparation.
The courage of the true railroader
is greater than that of the mariner
who faces dangers about which he has
knowledge of the soldier who is
always buoyed up by the hope that
he may escape.
Patience, strength and the stamina
to endure long and continued fatigue
exposure and annoyance, are essential
requirements. Yet, when off duty,
how you enjoy tales about being side.
tracked in the woods, in swarms of
famished insects, in darkness and in
solitude.
You must be quick of thought, to
ever meet emergencies that arise I'M
eXpectedly and for which previous pre-
paration is impossible.
This quality, characteristic of your
occupation, is possessed by few per-
sons in other callings.
The doctor can complain about his
patients system and bury his mis-.
takes; the lawyer can blame the SUI
preme Court or criticize the Legisla-
ture-all can cover up their deficien-
cies to some extent-but your errors
are glazing apparent. You do not
have two chances.
Fidelity to your calling is another
of the true railroader.
NO turning over in bed, though the
caller raps at 2 a. m. and the Their.
mometer is 40 below zero.
NO answer to let George do it. will
suffice. Your train is made I'D and |
through mile or more of gloom and |
slush must you tramp, bemoaning your
luck, perhaps, at the moment, but !
greatly pleased, nevertheless, that
your duties offer opportunity to dis
play your manhood.
And, probably least pleasant in
your life, is the fact that you are not
compensated for your cour.
age and fidelity.
True, your material rewards are
not great: for your service, requiring
such extraordinary qualities, grateful
- corporations pay you exactly as
much as you can compel them to do
md no more: your superiors are in
crested in achieving a success that is
measured by dividends and increases
n their own salaries.
The practical railroad man seldom
Uses to the presidency or even the
managerial force, the administration
oming from the financial and not the
echnical departments.
In the present day the advance
nent to the highest positions go to the
awyer and the banker-the said CRATE
ul corporations viewing with greater
the work of the lobbyist
nd shaver of pennies-rather than to
ne faithful servant, to whom is really
ue their success.
Thus do your complaints fall, I'M
eeded, on the ears of those who were I.
ever compelled to endure your hard ,
hips. He jests at scars-who never ,
elt wound
so you must find your greatest re- {
ompense is in the feeling that swells $
lie breast of every true man, the sat
faction that comes from duty we'll
erformed and the nature of your du-
es justifies your pride.
But this is not all and the occasion
ust not pass without a word from 1
lie layman's side. L
The public does appreciate your
'rvices, and We, who are not of you, d
Tough We are not outspoken in our t
'aise, do value the service you rem g
er. S
The very feeling of Sacuritv that