The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-08-20
R. R. EMPLOYEES
ASKED TO SERVE
PUBLIC INTEREST
ViCe-PreSident of Norfolk &
Western Road Addresses
Letter to Workers. Brother
of James S. Davant.

T.. $, Davant, vice president Of the
Norfolk western railroad company,
has addressed a letter to company en-
ployes urging them 10 look after and
serve the public interest TO the best
of their ability. Mr.. Davant takes the
position that railroad employees them
selves must convince the skeptic that
railroads under corporate control are
determined to do their full part in car
ing Tor the commercial necessities OF the
country Mr.. navant is brother OF
James 5. Davant, of the Memphis
freight bureau.
Profiting from the prejudice en-
gendered by government control the
railroad authorities are making every
effort to populariZe the roads under
private control In this connection Mr..
Davants letter which follows, is or
interest:
Now since railroad employees have
been granted a substantial wage in
crease, the cost Of which has been pro-
vided for through advanced freight
rates, the effect has been to completely
reverse the position Of the transporta-
ton system OF the country and the
railroads are expected to justify and
compensate the public for the increased
allowances given.
There is universal sentiment sup
ported almost unanimously by the
newspapers OF the country that the
railroads must render improved seTv-
ice and give greater consideration and
more courteous treatment and enforce "A
more rigorous policy in order TO insure
this condition
Primarily We must improve discip-
line by a more strict enforcement OF
the rules and attention to duty Better
discipline will reflect better morale and
the result viii be increased efficiency,
In addition to this, the question OF
service and courtesy on the part Of
such employees who come In contact with
the HIhliH Is Df gpTiDn2
ment, in fact the future efficiency OF
the railroads, as measured by the pub
lie. will be practically decided by these
two elements. therefore y would like
10 impress upon you the necessity Of
bringing all supervisory officials to
realization OF It's Importance and we
want to Immediately begin deter
mined and sustained effort 10 bring
about a permanent improvement, This
applies principally to passenger train
employees, passenger station attendants
ticket offices, local agents and station
employees over the entire line, freight
house employees at the larger points
yard employees, claim, traffic and trans
poTtation department representatives,
whether through correspondence or d.
rect relations.
I'VE are not going to accomplish this
essential condition unless the matter Is
persistently followed and II Is going
10 take some time, requiring disctpltn-
pirate handling elsewhere.
I'VE must restore spirit OF service
and courtesy TO the public on the Nor,
folk & Western railway and the fun
cooperation and continued effort Of the
entire supervisory force ~ expected uh-
til this Is accomplished,
During federal control Of the ral,
roads, the matter OF looking after ana
promoting public service was directly
imposed upon the traffic department by
the director generals, the director OF
traffic and his assistants, This has
always been one. OF the chief functions
of this traffic department, ana whlle
during the trying times OF federal con-
troll there may have been some waning
OF the esprit de corps, now that me
control of our railroad has reverted
10 the corporation. II behooves every
one in the service OF this department:
in whatever capacity. TO look after and
serve the public interest to the best OF
his ability We must DO what ana az
We can to convince the 'skepuc that
the railroads, under corporate conToi;
are going institutions and as such VIII
do their full part In caring for the COM
mercial necessities OF the county