The Covington leader. (Covington, Tenn.) 18??-current, 1920-09-23
PUBLIC HELPS TO RUN
ILLINOIS CENTRAL R. R.

lLLiND1S CENTRAL K.
Early in August thousand Of copie
of an open letter to patrons urgin
that they study local conditions, CO
operate with the railroads represent
atives and carry complaints directl
to the president himself were dis
tributed over all parts Of the Illin0i
Central system by President c. Fl
| Markham, of the Illinois Central rail
road. They were sent as letters t.
shippers. Envelope suffers wer
used bearing the message in letter.
written by general officers of tn
road Placards with the invitation
were posted in railroad stations.
The response was instantaneou.
and quite cosmopolitan. Bank pres
idents wed with shop girls in sending
| in the expressions of their views or
the Illinois Central service. Letters
came from far inland Mississippi anc
Tennessee towns with the regularity
that they were received from cities
like Chicago. St. Louis, New Orleans
and Memphis.
Without exception the letters were
written in the spirit in which the in
vitation was given. The big bulk of
them were commendatory without
reservation. Mr.. Markham discov-
cred that big business men and little
business men and women without
business affiliations were delighted
with the service that is being given
bv the Illinois Central's organization.
Many others were pleased with the
service, but there was some particu-
lar feature Of it they thought should
be improved upon.
One business man had a claim
pending against the road for 16 cents
on an old account. His letter caused
a-prompt investigation and the claim
was paid at once. He wrote back to
thank the president for his personal
interest in his case. Another bust
ness man wanted the rule requiring
the closing of freight houses to re-
ceiving shipments at o'clock amend
ed TO o'clock. His letter lead to
conference between the business men
of his city and the representatives Of
all railroads entering there, with a
view Of working out a general sys-
tenn.
A Memphis clothing dealer had
purchased a ticket last spring from
railroad, calling for portion
of the ride over the Illinois Central. |
That portion of it was not used and
it had been returned to the issuing
road for refund and the claim had |
been delayed. He wanted to know
why. An Investigation followed and
he was told why the delay had come
about, and received the refund di-
rect. An appreciatiye letter from the
satisfied dealer followed.
Not all the complaints were so easy
If settlement as those enumerated
herein, for some Of the correspondents
lad very decided views about costly
chances in service which are i'm
possible under present transporter
ion conditions. But each complain
mt had his case given personal at
ention. In many instances dis
riot officer Of the road was detailed
o study the situation and interview
he complainant.
A number of women responded to
he invitation and sent along their
which We're given similar
'rompt attention. And the women
we're just as ready to commend the
cheme as their brothers.
Many of the correspondents wanted
nore information about certain
ihases Of railroad conditions They
.ot it.
Many Of the letters were from
ewspaper publishers, editors. bust
ess managers and reporters. They.
d common with the big majority of
he business men who turned in their
hailed Mr.. Mark
lam's appeal for cooperation as
marking new era in the industrial
.fe Of the country They expressed
nany views Here is the gist of
hem
Industrial conditions are changing
d reference to other lines of business
s we'll as the railroads. Henceforth
, will be impossible for any business
rganization to succeed without TAX
az the public into its confidence. The
ime has arrived when business men
1ust come down from the pedestals
pom which they have allowed them
elves to be placed, and exchange
Jews with the common folks-so
after ALL, are the wool
+ the national fabric.
The thing was aptly expressed by
ne newspaper man. who wrote in
MS vein:
ut has never before been my good
ortune to have the feeling that |
ould address the president Of a rail-
bad with any satisfaction. There
,re, want to congratulate you upon
lie the stand you have taken in get
ng into direct touch with the pat
ons. / believe it will bring greater
ssults than even you, with your
reat opportunity of speculative fore
ght. have or do anticipate. can
se these things from another angle
J a patron, citizen and publisher,
nd know that you are on the right
ack to d better understanding be-
yeen the railroads and the people
emphis Commercial Appeal
EW INSTALLATION METHOD