The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1911-05-05

the number of seconds gained or lost
since its last inspection, the name of
the owner and other particulars.
The bi-monthly examination of the
railroad mans card-a card which the
latter carries on his person and on which
is noted the rate of the watch after each
approximations convenient means
Of comparing the rate of the watch at
different times and its improvement or
deterioration in this respect. In addi-
ton to the record that the inspector
keeps for himself he has to furnish the
general time-inspector with similar in
formation, together with any personal
report he has to make.
The general time-inspector is an
officer OF the railroad company, respon
sible to the general manager or other
officer whose duty it is to supervise this
branch of the service. All records are
compiled for the use of the latter, and
after his personal examination of them
he takes such steps with regard to de-
linquents and for the perfection of the
service as he sees fit.
AS the railroad time service specifies
a standard for all railroad mems watches
it is to the interest of the various watch
companies to produce grade that cor
responds exactly to the standard. 1t is
sometimes charged that discrimination
is made in favor OF one or another make
OF watch by inspectors. There is abso-
lutely no basis for the charge. The
railroad man is not compelled to pur-
chase his timepiece in any particular
place or from any particular jeweler or
manufacturer. The watch can be pur-
chased anywhere, provided it is of the
specified grade and meets the approval
of the local inspector. Neither is the
railroad man compelled to give his
watch for repair to any particular jeweler
or watch inspector. He can have the
timepiece repaired by whomsoever he
wishes, .e only stipulation being that
it is to be submitted for the approval
of the inspector before it is again put
into use. This is necessary for the thor
oughness of the system.
A sheet of instructions is given to
every local inspector, containing list
of watches that are officially recognized
as meeting the railroad requirements.
These watches are over 40 in number
and are the product of eight different
manufacturers. AS this list of manu-
facturers includes all the manufacturers
in the country that make watches Of the
IcqulICu StduudIu, OuC Gan lCeully oCS
the beneficial effect that the time serv-
ice has on the watch industry, furnish
ing, as it does, material inducement for
the maintenance Of the high standard
and cultivating not only in railroad en-
ployes but also in the public the desire
for reliable timepieces.
1t might seem that the rigidity of the
rules is an exaction on the men, but this
is not so. In a sheet of instructions to
local watch inspectors the first of a
number of eminently practical rules is
as follows:
When watches are presented for in
spection, care should be taken not to
impose any hardship or annoyance on
the employees; and in case of any doubt
give the employe the benefit, if this can
be done with safety to the service-but
safety and reliability must first be con-
sidered. There must be no discrimin-
alton of any kind whatever on account
of trade prejudice. You will bear in
mind that, as an inspector of watches,
you are acting for the company"
With the progress in railroading, the
increase of speed and the multiplication
of lines and traffic, the railroad watch is
yearly becoming a more important fac
tor in train operation. 1t is safe to say
that, without it, the 18-hour trip from
New York to Chicago would be prac-
teal impossibility.
rnu rail- aAUH