Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-08-13
Editorial Comment
The Laokawanna,s New Rule.
(Boston Transcript

The action taken by the manage
ment of the Lackawanna Railroad in
stiffening the rule governing the use OF
| intoxicants by its employees would
seem to Indicate it's conviction that the
recent disastrous accident at Corning,
~ y. with the largest list of fatalities
of the year, was due to the incapaei-
tated condition of the engineer from
the excessive use of alcoholic bever-
ages. as was charged soon after the
grewsome event occurred. That ac-
eentuates the pity OF it, though as we
have already said there must have
been some one or more who We're dere-
lict in their duty in permitting the en-
gineer to take the train when plainly
showing that he lacked full control OF
himself.
This seems somewhat like locking
the stable door after the horse is stol-
en-, though better late than never. and
il ought to afford additional assurance
of safety for its patrons in the future
Like almost all transportation lines
the Lackawanna has had a rule pro-
hibiting the Indulgence of its employees
in alcoholic stimuIants while on duty,
the habitual use Of them or the fire.
quenting of places where they are sold.
The amended rule leaves no loopholes.
The prohibition is absolute, so far as
IL applies to men engaged in the NOV
ing of trains. IL makes no difference
whether they are on or eff duty, they
are notified that any Indulgence what
ever will be regarded as sufficient
reason for their dismissal. and though
this attitude may be thought some
what drastic, the company is justified
in the belief that it will have the APP
proval of the travelling public, which
includes about everybody.
There are other forms of dissipation
that unfit men either mentally or
physically or both for a service which
when properly conducted involves both
alertness. presence of mind and pru-
dence. For instance man who has
forfeited the hours which should be de-
voted to rest to the lure of poker or
other gambling games is likely to lack
the physical endurance and mental
force which are needed to meet the
responsibilities of the service. 1t may
be urged that these somewhat strict
regulations offer an additional reason
for the increased wage demand that
has been made by the engineers of the
Eastern roads and would be made by
other employees were it yielded to; but
that contention cannot be defended, at
least on economic grounds. 1t may be
regarded as a restriction of personal
liberty, though no reasonable man will
argue that il is an unnecessary one.
Certainly no one can justly demand
extra compensation for the observance
of rules that defend him against his
own dangerous impulses. and the clean
record that the rule requires. if lived
UP to, will save many a man from TAX
ing the step that would lead to his
downfall. One thing it certainly will
do. 1t will put money in his purse, or
at least help to keep it there.
Probably there is no railroad line ~
recognizable Importance in the country
that does not understand the value and
necessity of temperance among those
in its service. or that does not have
rules for securing it. In fact, as j
class they they are very temperate and
one may travel thousands of miles and
not see one with the signs of indulg
ence upon him. But we have seen
what havoc has been wrought by
single conspicuous exception, and the
action that it has inspired by the com
pany on whose road it occurred might
profitably he copied by other lines. It
is no hardship for man not addicted
to intoxicants to practice abstinence.
and certainly one who is so addicted
should not be tolerated in service
responsible for the safety of the lives
and property of the public. Further
more, the rule will enable those to
whom it applies to give an answer
that he will respect to the "good fell
low" who wants to treat.