The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1912-01-23

cause ne -4dS. never Elsdn dVVfS tn0
Elefel OF his fellow-Rorkers in any
branch of the railroad work 1t takes
| a hundred thousand railroad men to
produce one capable OF the position
that Mr.. Willard holds, but only one
in hundred, when he attains that
prominence, gives hearty recognition
to his continued dependence upon the
men in the lower grades for the sue
cess Of his administration. The pres
ence OF the president OF the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad at the gathering OF
employees OF the road at the railroad
branch OF the Young Mems Christian
Association the other night was due
to the democracy OF the head Of the
railroad. 1t was. likewise, due to full
appreciation of the loyalty and the in:
tegrlty OF the rank and file of the rail
road force, and It was due as well to.
the opportunity thus afforded the
head of the line to instill lessons of
caution as to the safety of the work
.ers and the travelling publicand of eff.
Cheney ilEstbes psrformance of given
task. MFR. Willard realizes that the
greatest-asset to be secured, either in
point OF, economy or OF service, is
right relations with the masses OF the
workers. He appreciates, as well,
that the railroads of the country can
not afford to have their working force
permeated with destructive and dis
quieting socialistic doctrines. The
best way to prevent this is to mark
out all lines of discrimination in the
manhood of the men in whatever po-
sltion they serve the road, and to
place all upon the common footing Of
opportunity to do his best under the
best possible conditions. This is the
kind OF spirit that .obyIates strikes
and reduces the accident list and pros
notes the general contentpent and
weil;being OF the men, as well as con.
tribdthg to the earnings Of the rafls'
road. ~ 81
Not only does the president himself
step out upon the common level of
the working force, but he encourages
his stan to do likewise. The concilia,
zion of disputes is in the hands of
one VINO appears to be highly regard
ed by those with. whom he has to do
in the negotiations looking toward
keeping peace along the line The
head ofithe department that has to- do
with claims against the road In bis,
address to the men at their annual
picnic at Harper's Ferry last summer
quite won his auditors by the cordial
and fellow-feeling remarks to which
he gave expression. The stan of the
Baltimore and Ohio is not letting
troublesome gaps to appear between
themselves and the marching files.
To this policy of the present head OF
the Baltimore and Ohio railroad much
of the prosperity of the road and the
peace and satisfaction of It's men will
be attributed while the travelling pub
lie will benefit.
Mr.. Willard declares that the presi-
dent of the road should at all times
be willing to mingle with the men. An
open court for all opinions worthy of
being considered. even though con-
tributed by the humblest man in the
service, is another wise stand OF the
head of the Baltimore and Ohio, as
are also the declarations that courte-
Gus treatment of those that use the
road increase its revenues, and that
anything that tends to safeguard the
life and limb of the men is worthy
cause. No one outside the ranks Of
the raIlroaders realizes the fearful
tribute of life annually made upon the
lines, and the tremendous economic
loss that is entailed. Many thousands
OF railroad workers are either killed
or crippled. Thus, the working force
is sacrificed and the enlistment of
more workers has to be kept up at a
tremendous rate. No enterprise can