Morgan County republican., 1911-07-20


Savings can and must be effected in
every branch of the service. This is as
titally important to the employee as it is
to the railroad, for upon the railroads
success depends its ability to retain eu.
ployes and pay. them reasonable wages.
Railroads in this country give better
service at much less rates than any other
country in the world; this, too, in face
Of the fact that they pay more than dou.
bic the wages to employees and much
higher prices generally for materials and
supplies than do the railroads of other
countries. The average rate received by
the railroads of this country for hauling
ton of freight one mile is three-quarters
of cent. or less than one half the price
of a letter postage stamp. While the
rate received in England for like ser.
vice is over 24 cents, or three times as
much. The rates in other European
countries are also much higher than
ours. Manufacturers, merchants and
shippers of this country can and should
be willing to pay as high price for
transportation as is paid BY those of for
eigh countries. There is no truth in the
statements often put forth by those who
are not friendly that the railroads are
overcapitalized and seek to obtain ex.
orbitant rates from the public to pay in
terest on the excessive capital. The
1,o 1e H1,sc StvV,
could not be built to-day for the money
which their capitalization represents.
After full investigation it has been as
serted by such competent authority as
the Interstate Commerce Commission
that the value of the physical properties
of the American railroads as they stand
today is more than that represented by
their stock and bonds.
"Those Of US whose duties bring us in
contact with the public are responsible
in great measure for the reputation OF
the road. This is truism that will not
admit denial. Of late years the railroad
systems have become SO large that it is
not practicable or convenient for the Of.
4 icers to visit all the cities en- the line and
q see its patrons as often as desirable
For these reasons the standing and repu
tation of the railroad rests in no small
I measure with the station agent, the train
men and others who are in daily touch
4 with the public. If the people form q
good impression of the roads representa-
tives, SO is their estimate of the roat
4 formed and reflected. Each Of us, there
4 fore, in taking service with the road, as
3 sumes a personal responsibility of Sc
shaping his conduct in his relations with
I the public as to bring no criticism or re
4 proach upon the company. The human
nature element is an important factor il
the success of the railroad business, ant
we should therefore be always patient
& attentive, obliging and courteous to thos'
with whom we have dealings. Our sur
roundings should always present Q nea
& and orderly appearance; they constitute
q in the public view an important aspec
q Of the situation, particularly so whe,
q civic pride is dominant. II shall be M
9 aim to give every employe Of the com
q pany a square deal. Ability, faithful
3 ness and efficient service shall Ike give
g merited recognition when an opportunit
q for promotion offers.
q "in the las, four years the Missoul
q Pacific. Iron Mountain companies hav
"a paid out Of their treasures for necessar
- supplies upwards of f4S.OtO, 600, and
- wages to its 1900 or more employs
over $lO6, 900. 900, to which may be ado
.. o. ed over 81, ,OO),0O for public taxes.
:, these great disbursements. mines, facto
;" ~ les and mills have been kept going, pu1
;, lie institutions have been supported an
~ thousands of families have l,een encou
" aged in se1f.respect and enabled to Ii,
in comfort. The 6O0O or more owners
these properties, many of them ~oine
and children, have in many cases the
70 entire fortunes invested in the stock
e' the companies. BY keeping this b
IL machine going these owners enable q
sc of US to make living for ourselves al
i" our dear ones. but in that time tn
ne have not received one dollar from Il
lis operation of their roads. Should ,
'e not feel doubly appreciative of the ia
ny ors which we have received from the
On owners, and should we not in all fa
=" ness put forth our very best efforts
o' the end that they may be recompens
&c in some measure for what they are dol
OK for us''
lat ------.------
he ENrT ENn,