Chapter 4: 52 Questions on the Nationalization of Canadian Railways by Fabius (Canadian Transport Sourcebook)

Chapter 4: 52 Questions on the Nationalization of Canadian Railways by Fabius

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IV

Where does Morale Show Itself?

In the Section Gang on Section B that must be alert lest the gangs on A and C line-up their curves more skilfully or send the trains more smoothly across the straight stretches.

In Engineer Carmichael, stalled with leaky boiler tubes, who orders his fires drawn, throws slabs on the hot bars of the furnace, crawls in, with sixty pounds of steam pressure still in the boiler over his head, and caulks his leaking tubes—because he knows "the boss" appreciates that kind of work and depends on him to get this precious train through without calling for help!

In the Superintendent on Y division, watching his section men, his train crews, his despatching offices, his repair shops for the first sign of failing "pep"—because his boss is watching him.

In the General Superintendent of the Middle District, planning or working day by day to cut his grades, reduce his curves, jack up the spirit of his men, in order that he may be able to pass trains faster to the Right District and the Left District than they can pass them to him. A football game! War!

In the General Manager watching the General Superintendents, watching for new General Superintendents, examining expenditures on fuel, on wages, on claims for goods lost in transit or damaged.

In the Vice-President holding his departments together.

And in the President:

"Mr. Vice-President," says he, looking over the skeleton reports, "I see the American roads are handling more traffic per mile of track out of the west than we are. How about it?"

And whatever the explanation, it is the vice-president's business to see that this is no longer the condition. He must find the cause and rout it out. he must re-examine his staff, and transmit down through the ranks to the remotest station agent—more "Pep!"

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