DECEMBER, 1949

Future of Rails 3,700 Enrolled A Very Happy Threatened by In Supervisory Holiday Season

Claims Case To All Members of the Course by Mail New York Central people Less than three months after have taken an active part in the New York Central Family its first announcement, the Cen• defense the nation's railroads are tral's correspondence course for presenting against huge govern• THE holiday season finds us once more with "peace supervisors, entitled "Be a Bet• ment "reparations" claims which on earth," and a bounteous measure of "good ter Boss," had attracted upwards of 3,700 enrollees, Personnel De• if granted would threaten the will to men." Let us each do all we can to make it future of the rail industry. partment records show. be true, and continue to be true. The railroads, which made Men and women from every agreements with the government The past year brought its sorrows and disappoint• supervisory category have on rates and hauled much gov• ments but it also brought many blessings for which flocked to sign up for the course, ernment war freight at lower- we can be reverently grateful. Most of us still enjoy which brings a series of ten les• sons into the supervisor's home than-commercial rates, deny good health. Our nation's standard of living con• Justice Department allegations by mail, to be studied and then that the government was over• tinues to improve. There has been no further serious applied in working out quizzes charged for rail service. encroachment on the vital freedoms that have made at the end of each lesson. The case is being heard by the our nation the best place to live in the entire world. Enthusiastic comments have ICC. If decided against the rail• In this time of joy fulness and reverence, I am been received from many of the roads, it would mean in many people taking the course. They happy to have the pleasure of thanking you once cases railroads not only hauled have found it "interesting," government freight free of more for your excellent cooperation during the past "very helpful," "easy to read," charge but actually paid, when year, and to extend my appreciation for your help in and "right down the alley for a their huge wartime tax pay• meeting the new and interesting challenges to come. railroad man," to quote a few of ments are considered, for the the reactions received by the privilege of hauling it. And again I extend to you and to all members of Personnel Department. Gustav Metzman, NYC Presi• your family my very best wishes for a very joyous Still Open to Enrollment dent, testified in the case, point• Christmas and a New Year filled with happiness and "I am looking forward to the ing out, in addition to the in• satisfaction. May all good things be yours through future assignments," wrote justice of the claims, the crip• the year and through the years to come. Thomas C. Davis, Assistant to pling effects they would have on Comptroller, New York, in mail• the rail industry. (See page 16.) G. METZMAN ing in his answers to the quiz A. H. Wright, NYC Vice Presi• President concluding the first installment. dent, retired, and J. P. Patterson, Upon receipt of each completed General Freight Traffic Man• quiz, the next installment is ager, also testified. mailed to the enrollee, together with corrections of any errors in Winners Next Month his quiz answers. More Called Back to Shops NYC people employed in su• In Big Safety Contest pervisory capacities can still en• About 550 employes—fur- pointed out to employes that the roll for the course simply by loughed during the summer coal and steel strikes had dealt The entries are all in. Pretty sending name, occupation, loca• because the Central's freight a severe blow to NYC freight soon the judges will be, too. tion, department, and home ad• business had slumped—were traffic, coming at a time when They have hundreds of sugges• dress to Personnel Department, called back to work at New York the volume of our freight busi• tions to go through before they Rom 519, 466 Lexington Avenue, Central freight car repair lo• ness had already declined to a can decide the winners in the New York 17, N. Y. cations last month. serious extent. HEADLIGHT safety cartoon contest, The course will be conducted The men were called back be• "All of us want to see plenty which closed Nov. 30 between the Personnel Depart• cause of an increased demand of work in our shops to keep all We hope to announce the win• ment and the individual direct. for gondola cars resulting from our men on the job," Mr. Metz• ners in next month's issue. Upon successful completion, resumption of steelmaking oper• man said, "but that depends on Meanwhile we wish the best of those taking the course will re• ations. maintaining a high level of traf• luck to all entrants. Not every• ceive pass-sized certificates testi• An earlier call-back, planned fic. Anything any of us can do one can win, but we hope all fying to their achievement. The for October 3, had been blocked to get more business for the who tried feel they have gained fact that they have taken the by the shutdown of coal mining. Central will be a further boost extra safety-consciousness by so course also will be entered in President Gustav Metzman for Central jobs." doing. It's a good thing to have. their service records. Train Time Guide View NYC Foreign Trade Role Adds More Info The New York Central's big role in world trade was pointed out to a large group of import• In Latest Issue ers, exporters, and foreign ship• pers recently. The Central's new Train Time Guide—the "rail schedule that The Central and the Port of anybody can read"—has been ex• New York Authority played host panded with the fall-winter issue to 375 delegates to the National to include schedules of Boston & Foreign Trade Convention on a Albany and Pittsburgh & Lake four-hour sightseeing tour of Erie passenger trains. The orig• New York harbor aboard the inal Time Guide, issued last NYC ferryboat Niagara. summer, did not include these The Central's marine opera• schedules. tions and facilities were de• The fall-winter issue—of the scribed to the guests over a same convenient size as its pred• public address system as the ecessor—contains 17 tables list• ferryboat poked about the ing through service between "business section" of the harbor. Representatives of the For• Touring New York harbor are (1 to r) J. R. Henning, Allis- nearly all points on the System, Chalmers Corp., Milwaukee; F. F. Haberer, John Deere Corp., eign Freight Traffic Depart• including complete schedules of Moline, Ill.; W. E. Hart, Allis-Chalmers Corp.; L. Relyea, Super• crack B. & A. trains such as the ment, headed by Foreign Freight intendent of the Central's New York Terminal District; and L. W. streamlined New England States Traffic Manager J. B. Jerome, Byrne, promotion chief for the Port of New York Authority. and the New England Wolverine. pointed out the advantages of When the guide was first "shipping Central." Mr. Jerome Port of New York and of the American industry and trade issued last summer, it was wide• told the visitors that the trip was magnitude of rail-sea freight associations, visitors from Great ly hailed as the timetable that designed to inform them of the operations. Britain, France, Canada, and "anybody can read." size and superior facilities of the In addition to officials from Pakistan enjoyed the trip. Here's What NYC Offers in Sleeping Cars Know somebody who is going on a trip? Have you talked to All this and economy too, for the roomette is priced just a him about the advantages of going NYC? few dollars above the lower berth. Or maybe the prospect is a she. Have you told her of the For two people, there is the double bedroom, containing Central's accommodations tailored with an eye to milady's two beds (lower and upper). Sketch showing it both by day traveling comfort? and night is at lower left in first column. Complete facilities Your sales talk are right in the room; and, for NYC service will ROOMETTE in many of the Central's bedrooms, toilet and wash pack more punch if By Day you know the score basin are enclosed in their on what the Central By Night own room-within-the-room. has to offer. When Compartments also con• you're talking to a tain two beds and all pri• passenger prospect vate facilities. They are —whether as a tick• larger than bedrooms, cost et clerk selling a a little bit more, and employ fare at the window, a different arrangement of a passenger representative swing• beds. By day a compartment ing an order for a big group, or seats four people comfort• just an on-the-ball Central em• ably. SUITE ploye trying to round up some In many of the Central's bedroom cars, the wall between a business—you'll want to be up-to- pair of adjoining rooms can be folded back to provide a spacious date on your product. suite for group or family travel. An arrangement of this type Take sleeping car space, for ex• is shown above in this column. ample. The Central's big fleet of overnight trains—in which Drawing rooms, containing a sofa and two lounge seats by roll hundreds of new postwar sleeping cars operated by the day and making up into three comfortable beds by night, are Pullman Co.—offer a wide variety of accommodations. Sketches available on many of the Central's of some of them are shown here and descriptions given, to help trains. They contain complete, private you with the next passenger pros• toilet facilities. pect you talk to (let's hope soon!). Shown in the sketch at bottom of this Above, in this column, is shown column are the upper and lower berths the roomette, tops in comfort for of a sleeping car section. Comfortable the individual traveler. This is and economical, either berth affords what the author had privacy, a comfortable bed, and an air- in mind when he conditioned sleep. wrote that famous You can find the prices of all these book, "Travel Alone accommodations for trips on the NYC and Like It." Pri• in the back of the familiar "thousand- vate sitting room and-one" timetable. Sketches of the BEDROOM with picture win• various units of space also appear there, dow by day, it's a By Day as well as in the shortened Train Time Guide which the Central big, luxurious bed By Night - is now issuing. (See top left this page.) at night. Complete Tell your passenger prospects about these new luxuries in rail toilet and washing facilities are right in the room, and so are travel. If they're thinking of going by some other means, a tip individual temperature and air-conditioning controls. on what the NYC offers may bring them our way.

Page 2 New York Central Headlight System Stations Will Display Holiday Mood

In just a few days, stations and terminals all over the New York Central System will begin their traditional observances of the Christmas season. The spirit of Christmas will reign in the form of elaborate decorations, musical programs, and carol singing. In Grand Central Terminal in New York, organist Mary Lee Read—who has become famous for her past performances in the terminal—will present programs of Christmas music at noon time and late in the evening. From about the middle of the month until Christmas day, Mrs. Read will accompany many outstand• ing choral groups of the metro• politan area. Giant Christmas wreaths will The Mixed Chorus of the P. & L.E. Athletic Association (above) hang from the terminal balconies is one of many choral groups who will sing in System stations. and over many of the entrances West Albany Men Lauded to the main waiting room. For Freedom Train Work Carols in Chicago Central Carries Santa's Sack Christmas trees, a Nativity New York Central people were scene, recorded music, and a praised recently for their work Santa Claus is a pretty busy will build up steadily to a peak caroling choir will bring season• in building the New York State gent with his one Christmas sack, which, if past experience means al spirit to LaSalle Street Sta• Freedom Train. Speaking on but the New York Central has anything, will be reached Dec. 19 tion, Chicago. arrival of the train in New York millions of them, filled with let• and 20 for outgoing mail and At the South Station in Bos• City, Gerald H. Salisbury, man• ters and packages, to deliver two to three days later for in• ton, carol singing during Christ• aging editor of the Albany this month. coming mail. mas week will help impart tra• Knickerbocker News and chair• Hauling the Christmas mail is The Association of American ditional New England Christ• man of the New York State going to be a bigger job than Railroads estimates that, be• mas spirit. Freedom Train Commission, re• ever this year, but setting new tween Dec. 1 and Christmas, the minded his audience that "200 records is nothing strange for nation's railroads will be called Throughout the week preced• men from the Central's West Central people who handle the on to provide mail car space ing Christmas, leading choral Albany Shops labored six mail. Christmas volume has totaling more than 4,000,000 feet. groups from the Cleveland area months" to build a train "that been increasing each year for (A "mail foot" represents one will present Yuletide programs does justice to the importance a long time. lineal foot in a mail car, stacked twice daily from a specially of the documents it contains." The 1949 "Christmas rush" ac• about seven feet high. It aver• constructed platform in the terminal concourse. New York State Assemblyman tually started more than a month ages out to 15 1/3 mail sacks.) In Detroit, where the Michigan D. M. Stephens presented a legis• ago. In fact, mail during Oc• The Central, which handles Central Terminal claims to have lative resolution to L. W. Horn• tober was running heavier than about 12% of the nation's rail originated railroad station carol ing, NYC Vice President, Person• it did during December in 1948. mail volume on the average, is singing, the 15th annual musical nel and Public Relations, who And '48 was a record year. using extra mail and express observance of Christmas will be accepted it on behalf of the 12 From now on, the volume of trains, as well as extra cars on railroads operating the train. both letter mail and parcel post regular trains, for the rush. held. Choirs from 10 of Detroit's churches will participate, along with the choir from the office of the Auditor of Passenger Ac• Fair Warning from an Ex-Railroader counts in the Motor City. In the Pittsburgh & Lake James J. Brown is traffic manager of the New men who handle the cars, in trains and in yards. Erie passenger station at Pitts• York News, one of the world's biggest newspa• Instead of calling up officials, he addressed an burgh, the Mixed Chorus of the pers. His paper gets about 600 carloads of news• open letter to all railroad men, giving them the P. & L.E. Athletic Association print by rail every month, facts. If the newsprint doesn't come through in will present a program of carol which means about $180,000 better shape, he said, newspapers are going to singing during the week before in rail revenue, some of it consider shipping more of it by water. Water Christmas. going to the NYC. Lately transporters are improving their service all the quite a bit of this paper has time, hoping to take the business off the rails. been arriving in damaged As an ex-railroader, he put the cards on the Dining Cars Will Have condition, many of the rolls table. "I know that any real improvement depends crushed so badly that they on the men who operate the trains," he said. Special Holiday Menu won't work on the News' "Without their help, improvement cannot be The Christmas spirit will be big, fast presses. achieved." much in evidence in NYC dining Jim Brown happens to be Jim Brown knows that railroad men are anx• cars during the Yule season. an ex-railroader. He was a ious to keep every dollar's worth of business on A special Christmas menu, trainman on the Boston & the rails in order to protect their jobs. "I was a with cover picture of Washing• Maine 35 years ago. He 'spare' man for 10 years," he said in his letter, ton Irving's home, Sunnyside knows the ins and outs of "and I know what it means when there are no (located on the Central between railroading. cars to move." Irvington and Tarrytown, N. Y.), Placards like this So he knows that the big• The New York Central handles a good deal will greet diners on Central show News cars. gest cause of damage to car• of the newsprint shipped to the New York News. trains. load goods is rough handling of cars, especially So it's up to us to make a better showing. Jim Such Yule favorites as roast in switching. And when he wanted to do some• Brown was good enough to give us fair warning. turkey and plum pudding with thing about reducing damage to his paper's news• Let's show him, and all our shippers, that their brandied hard sauce will be fea• print, he knew that he had to go straight to the goods are just as precious to us as to them. tured holiday menu offerings.

December, 1949 Page 3 A newly enlarged and modernized battery shop at Collinwood aids in keeping up with the Central's requirements for stored electrical power. At left, Electrician Ger• ald Clark uses fork and lift truck to place heavy containers on storage rack in shop.

At Collinwood all moving around of heavy batteries is done by fork lift truck, modernization of the shop having been designed to eliminate man-handling as much as possible. Other labor-saving fea• tures of the shop include a mechanical "filter" for pouring acid out of battery cells, and an overhead hoist for lifting old plates out of batteries and gently low• ering new ones (easy does it!) into place. Sometimes sediment is found to have collected in the cells, impairing the effec• tiveness of the battery. When this happens, the contents of the cells are dumped and replaced. The sludgy, old acid, however, is not thrown away. The sediment actually is of considerable value since it contains reclaimable lead and can be sold. Fresh acid for adding to battery cells is stored in an overhead tank, from which it is fed to individual batteries through acid-resistant hose. Although the acid used is not in concentrated form, strict safety precautions are taken. The Central fur• nishes rubber aprons, gloves, and shoes for the men who work with the battery Those Big Black Boxes acid. The equipment for handling bat• teries in the new shop set-up has been designed and engineered for safety.

Do Many Railroad Jobs Final Step Is Thorough Check-up WHAT provides the spark that starts building. That is when they are sent to a As the final step in the shopping, bat• a Diesel engine? battery shop, such as that at Collinwood. teries are subjected to a series of tests What delivers current to light a pas• The Central also has battery shops at which rival in thoroughness the physical senger car when the wheels aren't turning Beech Grove, Ind., serving the Big Four examination an insurance company gives to drive the axle generators? and the Beech Grove Car Shop; at West a man applying for a million dollar policy Where does passenger car air-condition• Albany, N. Y., serving the West Albany on his life. First they are charged; then ing equipment get its power when the Car Shop and part of the Lines East; and they are discharged, and while the power train is standing still? at Harmon, N. Y., where Diesel, multiple- is going out of them readings are taken to The answer to all these questions—and unit car, and electric locomotive batteries measure the rate of discharge and other to a good many more that might come up are serviced. The Collinwood shop takes functional properties. on a railroad—can be found in those un• care of the needs of the rest of the System. Power for charging batteries comes from impressive-looking black boxes called stor• Electricians check the condition of pas• two 100-kilowatt General Electric motor- age batteries. senger car batteries while the car is in generator sets, housed in a newly con• Batteries are a big item on the Central. the coach yard for servicing. Using the structed section of the shop building. Maintaining the thousands of them which hydrometer familiar to motorists, as well After they have been restored to top- are used is a big job. To help do that job as other instruments, the Electrician de• notch condition, batteries at the Collin• better and more efficiently, the Central has termines whether the battery is due for a wood shop are taken to the storage "shed," enlarged and modernized its battery shop trip to. the shop. which actually is not a shed at all but a at Collinwood, near Cleveland, which brand-new addition to the existing plant, serves as the maintenance point for a good- Wide Variety of Batteries Used boasting glass brick windows and an air- circulating system. There they await calls sized share of the batteries used on NYC Each coach yard has one or more "bat• from the coach yards or other service motive power and rolling stock. tery cars"—retired baggage cars in which points which will use them for replace• batteries to be repaired are collected and ments. Because the heavy battery sets are Batteries Work While Wheels Rest shipped, when a carload has been as• handled by fork lift trucks, it is possible The greatest number of batteries are sembled, to the shop. to store them three tiers high, effecting used on passenger cars, where they are In addition to passenger, baggage, and a better utilization of space than was pos• hung under the body of the car. Axle gen• mail car batteries, the Collinwood shop sible before. A catwalk behind the sturdy, erators supply the electrical needs of all also services the sets which are installed structural steel storage racks permits shop NYC cars while they are in motion, but in Diesel-electric locomotives to power men ready access to all sets in storage. when the wheels come to rest the storage starting motors and control circuits. Bat• batteries take over. teries for electric trucks used in freight An ordinary air-conditioned car requires stations and baggage rooms also are main• If They Didn't Work, You'd Know It two battery "sets," each consisting of eight tained at the newly enlarged shop. The As one man at the Collinwood shop re- giant containers or "trays" and each set Central uses a variety of other batteries— marked, "You could ride a long time on weighing about 2,000 pounds. The require• for such purposes as protecting power a railroad and never see a storage battery, ments for baggage cars and mail cars, requirements in yards and providing cur• but if they weren't taken care of properly, where only lighting needs are supplied, rent for electric signal systems—but these people would soon be aware of their are not so great, but they carry a sizeable are serviced and maintained in other shops. existence." weight in batteries too. On arrival at the shop, defective bat• Though invisible to passengers, and The axle generators, when a car is in teries first get a thorough cleansing with probably little heeded by most employes, motion, serve to replenish the charge steam to remove dirt and acid that have the battery is a highly important factor which the batteries have given up during collected on the outside. Then they receive in running a railroad. The men who look a period of standing, thus maintaining an a thorough visual inspection to reveal any after them know that and, with the most adequate charge. Nevertheless, things do flaws in the condition of plates, bridges modern equipment at their disposal for go wrong, parts do wear out, and from (on which the plates rest), separators, the job, they aim to keep the Central's time to time batteries need repairs or re• cases, terminals, connecting straps, etc. "invisible power plants" in top shape.

Page 4 New York Central Headlight Americans own over % of world's automobiles. Scene above shows employe parking lot at New York Central's Harmon, N. Y., shops. What Do You Mean by WELFARE?

THE word "welfare" has been taking When you figure that, with 1/15 of the it would come strict instructions as to how quite a kicking around of late. world's people, we have more than 3/4 of it should be enjoyed. Some people are using it like a "swear all the automobiles in the world, that's Who would create the welfare in such word." They use it to label a type of gov• welfare. a set-up? There is the puzzler. People ernment which they don't think would be And when you figure that we have more would still be working for a living, we can good for this country. They talk about a than 1/2 of the world's telephone, telegraph, be assured, whether or not they cared for "welfare state," which seems to be a gov• and radio networks, that's welfare. the type of living the government allowed ernment that takes out of people's hands And when you figure that we enjoy the them to receive in return for their work. all of their problems, also most of their services of more than 1/3 of the world's But by the time they earned enough to sup• privileges. railways, that's welfare. port a government big enough to do the Whatever name you call it by, such a, "welfare" job, they wouldn't have very Then why the arguments about "wel• state doesn't sound very promising. But much left as their own reward. fare state"? when you call it a "welfare state" you're Pretty soon they wouldn't be very en• likely to cause some confusion. The arguments center around how you go thusiastic about how much they produced, Actually, a lot of Americans look on about getting the welfare. The welfare we since it wouldn't do them much good any• their country as the greatest welfare state enjoy in America today has been earned way. At that point, the supply of welfare that ever was. It's a country which has by millions of people working—with tools would begin to get lower and lower and given them a chance to earn for themselves and machines, with their hands, and with people would begin to enjoy less and less the highest standards of well-being—wel• their brains—on this country's great nat• of it. Not a very appetizing prospect. fare, if you like—the world has ever ural resources. They did it—and are still It seems to boil down to a difference be• known. doing it—in the process of working for a tween welfare and "welfare." But let's not "Welfare" isn't a nasty word. It's a good living, the best living people have ever be confused by words. Let's concentrate word. The dictionary says it means, "The been able to earn with their work since his• on how we can best reach our goal of more state of faring, or doing, well; especially, tory books first were written. good things for more people. The way the condition of health, prosperity, etc." In the so-called "welfare state" that we we're going about it now—earning our From this wouldn't it seem that welfare is hear about, the idea is somewhat different. welfare for ourselves—is working pretty just about the chief product we in America There the welfare would be dished out by successfully. To try to have the govern• have been producing by our efforts down the government in such portions and at ment do it for us looks like a very risky through the years? such times as that body might see fit. With gamble.

Americans have more telephones, eat more and better food, than any other people in world. The American system works for us all. Photo by New York Telephone Review Railroad Quiz Do You Know? NYCROSSWORD PUZZLE

ACROSS (Solution on page 12) Here are 12 questions about railroading. 1 They visited How many can you answer correctly? Bethlehem long Select one of the four answers sug• ago gested below each question; then check 8 A Central Vice your answers with those on page 12. President Compare your score with the rating list 13 To butt in below to see how well you have done. 14 Helped 15 Close 1. When was the Central's deluxe all-coach 16 Set on end Pacemaker first put into service? • 18 Line East a. 1939 c. 1928 19 MD's b. 1946 d. 1937 20 Pains 2. What is the approximate spacing of rail• 21 A cyst road crossties, center to center? • 22 Quieter a. 2 feet c. 21 inches 24 Spar 25 A famous Fenian b. 3 feet d. 2 feet, 3 inches 26 Form of "to be" 3. Where did the Central, jointly with an• 28 A pilaster other road, open a $20,000,000 coal and 29 Sun god ore facility in 1948? • 30 Alters a. Pittsburgh c. Buffalo 33 Raised railway 34 Foundation b. Toledo d. Weehawken 35 Future locomo• 4. What was the first train in the world to tive fuel? be fully equipped with twin cushion, rub• 37 Sixth month of ber draft gears for smoother riding? • Hindu calendar a. England's Royal c. France's Riviera 39 Pertaining to Scot Express frogs (the ani• b. The Central's d. The Central's mal kind) Pacemaker Mercury 42 What the Cen• tral's Pacemaker Michigan Central 12 Without teeth 36 Every one counts 5. What is a car retarder? • Freight hauls 2 Inertness 17 Electrical engi• in operating a a. Machine used c. Signal used for 43 Our welders 3 Stagnation neer train in shops flagging use it (physics) 20 The older genas 37 Finally spoke b. Man who makes d. Device for slowing 46 Nearer (Scotch) 4 Dispatchers 21 Pale for himself shouldn't ever! trains late a rolling car 47 To act 23 Native of city 38 A tea cake 5 Car used in com• 6. How many air-conditioned passenger 48 Warning where big loco• 40 Object of Budd• 50 Bay in the Fijis muter service ha's contempla• cars does the NYC System own? • 6 Draw forth motive works is a. 829 c. 2,156 51 Furnish with located tion weapons 7 Bright's disease 41 Wipe out b. 1,273 d. 2,843 8 Our steam loco• 24 Works in B. & B. 53 Salts of eosin Dept. 43 Gifts to the poor 7. What is the maximum speed at which 55 Sometimes found motives drink from them 27 See 1 Across. It 44 Regular Army freight cars should couple in yard switch• in eaves of our 9 Top guided them (abbr) ing in order to prevent damage to load? • buildings 31 Symbol for 45 They run the 56 A Central Gen• 10 Something we a. 4 mph c. 6 mph tellurium train eral Manager use to publicize b. 5 mph d. 7 mph our service 32 Greek letter 48 Man's nickname 8. Where is the highest point on the NYC DOWN 11 Holm sweet 34 Obsolete spelling 49 French for me System (distance above sea level)? • 1 City on the Holm of $1 50 A direction a. Hitop, W. Va. c. Hillsboro, Ill. b. Big Moose, N. Y. d. Carrolltown Sum• Originating Off-line mit, Pa. 9. Where is the lowest point on the System? • a. Swanville, Pa. c. Manitou, N. Y. Taken from the Interchange b. Mishawaka, Ind. d. Decatur, Mich. Wood Holds the Line handler at his station, says the Maine 10. How do cartridge-type hot box alarms Central Magazine. According to the Canadian Pacific He reports that a varmint has taken indicate journals are getting too warm? • Spanner, people have done a lot of think• a. Sound a siren c. Ring a bell up quarters in the cellar and fears ing about new materials to use for rail• neither agents, operators, section men, b. Emit smoke and d. Make emergency way cross-ties. More than 2,500 patents odor brake application nor engine house men. have been taken out on tie materials. It has been suggested, he says, "that Just the same, wood is still in almost uni• an old time, hard-boiled conductor be versal use, suggested substitutes not be• sent down, whose strange oaths may ing able to offset its advantages. Check Your Score Here send 'Stinky' scurrying." Consolation Prize Sauce for the Gander If you have Then The L. & N. Employes' Magazine re• You just can't keep railroad men out answered correctly you ports a new bathing suit story concerning of the act, even in the kitchen. So it All 10 Should be asking the ques• one of its stenographers, who wrote the would appear from a notice in the Elgin, folks back home after she had taken tions, not answering them Joliet & Eastern Milepost. The announce• part in a bathing beauty contest during 7 to 9 Need make no excuses ment states that so many good cooks have vacation: "I didn't win or place, but I been discovered among E. J. & E. men 4 to 6 Are just about breaking certainly showed." that the recipe contest originally in• even tended for their wives has been enlarged 1 to 3 Ought to do better next Agent Has Cellar Smeller to include the men as well. time A New Hampshire station agent on the To avoid family food feuds, however, None Must be kidding. We don't Maine Central has issued a special plea husbands and wives will compete in believe it for someone to bid in the job of skunk separate sections.

Page 6 New York Central Headlight RRB Pacemaker Meets the Press Pass'gr Revenues Dip; Cure Seen In Public Policy Railroad passenger revenues were substantially lower the first seven months of this year than they were during the same period last year, dropping 7.6% in coaches and 6.6% in parlor and sleeping cars. With passenger business thus AP's Ted Applegate (left) and NYC General Manager F. B. Hank slipping even from the level of get chuckle from rail garb press men donned for special trip. 1948, when Class I roads lost $560,000,000 on passenger serv• A group of writers from lead• ice, railroaders naturally are ing newspapers, news services, concerned about what should be and magazines took a first-hand done. look recently at one example of In addition to improving serv• what the railroads are doing to ice and courtesy—as adjuncts meet truck competition for pack• to the new equipment which rail• age freight business. roads have introduced—some They went to the New York significant proposals regarding Central's 33rd Street freight sta• public policy have been made, tion in New York City one eve• which if followed would help ning last month to get a close-up greatly to solve the problem. picture of the Central's much- Dr. Julius Parmelee, of the talked-about Pacemaker freight A.A.R., outlined recently some service, the modern, speedy way basic changes in public policy of handling less-than-carload that are essential to maintaining merchandise shipments. a sound passenger service. They In an office at 33rd Street, the NYC Manager of Freight Trans• N. Y. Times' Charles Egan tries portation A. Borntrager (right) include: visitors were "briefed" by NYC one of the cupola seats in the tells Harmon Harris of Carl special caboose included in the (1) End of transportation sub• officials who outlined the way Byoir & Associates about Pace• Pacemaker for press guests who sidies. the Pacemaker service is run and maker freight operating details. watched phases of its operation. , (2) Repeal of 15% travel tax. the advantages it offers shippers. (3) Higher parcel post rates Then the party went out on the smooth, closely-timed switching Pacemaker freight as far as Har• so that Post Office deficits can be platform and watched last-min• operation as more cars were cut mon, N. Y., getting a good dem• cut, more adequate mail pay can ute loading of Pacemaker cars in, placed for quick set-out at onstration of the smooth-riding be granted to railroads, and ex• with rush shipments which intermediate points on the Pace• qualities of the train's equip• press can better compete for would be in consignees' hands maker's route. ment at high speeds. traffic. in Buffalo or intermediate points The writers and editors, ac• Among the press and mag• (4) More liberal policy by reg• next morning. companied by Central officials, azine people in the party were ulatory bodies towards abandon• As the string of loads pulled Public Relations Department Ted Applegate, of AP; Bruce ment and reduction of unprofit• out of 33rd Street, the party rode representatives, and representa• Biossat, NEA; Charles Egan, able rail services. along in a special caboose cut tives of Carl Byoir & Associates, New York Times; W. McKee in just ahead of the regular public relations agency of the Gillingham, Business Week; Ber• It Goes "Swoosh" crew's car. At 72nd Street, they Eastern Railroad Presidents Con• nard Glazer, Coronet; and Ken• An oil-burning gas-turbine lo• got down and watched the ference, rode the Diesel-powered neth Hayes, UP. comotive has begun extensive testing in road service in the Big Bossy Takes Bounce, west. The locomotive moved Tributes Pay Honor 2 Named to Posts over the NYC last summer on Stops Train Hard Way its way to tests near Erie, Pa. One difference between it and To Retired Official Maybe they should have put In Railroad Groups the Diesel engine is the sound it the "cow catcher" on the side of makes. When idling the gas-tur• A series of public tributes re• a locomotive instead of the front. Two Central people have been bines makes a noise like a loud cently have called attention to A careless bovine recently named to posts in national or• "swoosh," which tapers off to a the accomplishments of a retired charged into the side of an en• ganizations recently. hum as the turbine speeds up. Central Vice President. R. E. gine pulling the Central's Ohio A. E. Yarlott, General Super• Dougherty, who ended active Special, bound from Detroit to intendent of Dining Service in Per Diem Rate Is Up service as Vice President, Im• Cincinnati, 20 miles north of New York, was chosen vice presi• provements and Developments, Bellefontaine, O. dent of the Association of Ameri• By vote of the majority of on December 31, 1948, and is The impact broke off the auto• can Railroad Dining Car Officers. railroads, the per diem rental now an Advisory Consultant for matic train stop brake pipe, stop• Last year Mr. Yarlott served as rate, paid by railroads for the the System, has been cited for ping the train. The cow was chairman of the executive com• use of freight cars owned by civic deeds by several groups. tossed between the first and sec• mittee of the Association. other roads, has been increased The Moles, a society composed ond cars, uncoupling them. Superintendent of Safety Don• from $1.50 a day to $1.75. The of men who were or are present• The train required a new en• ald E. Mumford was elected a increase took effect Nov. 1. ly engaged in heavy construction gine, but when last seen by the director of the National Safety work, announced that they will crew, Bossy was standing by the Council at its 37th annual con• Diesels in Britain present their 10th annual Moles side of the track, puzzled but vention in Chicago. Mr. Mum- Great Britain recently put its Awards to Mr. Dougherty and apparently not badly hurt. ford just completed a term as first main line twin Diesel-elec• former president Herbert H. general chairman of the Rail• tric locomotives into service. Hoover for "outstanding contri• presented Mr. Dougherty with road Section of the Council. They haul the Royal Scot, one butions to construction and their the West Side Award for "out• He received a testimonial of the United Kingdom's prize exemplary careers as citizens." standing contributions to the scroll from the Council in recog• trains, daily from London to The West Side Association of West Side and the City of New nition of his work while serving Glasgow and return. Commerce in New York City York." as chairman.

December, 1949 Page 7 HEADLIGHT HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MONTH IN PICTURES

TAKEN FROM OLD NO. 100, Canada Division, this bell now rings at St. Luke's Anglican church, St. Thomas, Ont. The Rev. H. W. Shell accepted it from Supt. E. H. O'Keefe.

GREAT FUN is the hobby of model railroading, says Eleen Forbes, who is show• ing here that the locomotive oiler's job can be something very interesting to watch. This particular bit of motive power maintenance was performed at the International Invention and Hobby Show, which was held recently in Miami, Fla. LOOKING OVER the Central's big DeWitt Yard at Syracuse, N. Y., is this group from the Syracuse Traffic Club. Guests of the NYC's Operating and Traffic Departments, the party was shown how a freight classification yard works.

ALL IN THE FAMILIES are the NYC contract bridge trophies WENDT THISAWAY and Wendt thataway in the shown below. P. J. Napolitano (left), and George Riordan, both picture below, showing four Wendts with a com• of Detroit, won the Metzman cup in the annual tournament at bined total of 134 years of NYC service. All at To• Cleveland. Their wives, shown with them in the picture, won ledo and Airline Junction, they are (1 to r) En• the Neelands consolation cup. "Hello" tags helped tourney play• gine Tank Repairmen Henry and William, and GOLDEN BUTTER KNIFE, symbol of food excellence, is ers get acquainted. Story on the tournament appears on page 13. Car Inspectors Kenneth and Fred (son of Ken). received by A. E. Yarlott (left), NYC General Superintend• ent, Dining Service, from noted food fancier Maurice Drei- eer, on behalf of Twentieth Century charcoal broiled steak.

IT TOOK ALL AFTERNOON to get these babies ready for the camera. The mothers, easier to pose, are all wartime employes or wives of employes in the General Baggage Agent's office at OLDEST RETIRED VETERAN at recent T. H. & B. safety Buffalo. Sitting (1 to r), are Mmes. Marie Newman, Margaret Blewett, Florence Meyers, Mary rally was Jim Rae (right, above), 88, who received prize Conroy, Josephine Pogorzala. Standing: Mmes. Mary Ann Henshaw, June Bauer, Gloria Human. from H. T. Malcolmson, President and General Manager. Babies at home kept Mmes. Helen Burke, Evalena Cragmile, and Dorothy Vogel out of the picture.

Page 8 New York Central Headlight December, 1949 Page 9 Warnings Sounded Take It Off, Ohio Town Many Are Named to Positions Tells Overloaded Trucker That Truck Abuse People who live in glasshouses shouldn't throw stones, but peo• At Various Points on System ple who drive overloaded trucks Menaces Roads sometimes have to throw quite a few, especially when law en• A number of appointments in A concerted drive against law- forcement is on the job. various departments and at vari• breaking truckers who damage ous locations on the New York One truck driver found this public highways with their over• Central System were made last out recently in Castalia, O., when loaded "boxcars on tires" is be• month. police discovered his truckload ing pushed by public officials, of stone was 10,000 pounds over John E. Lonn has been named citizen groups, newspapers, and the legal limit. Foreign Freight Agent at Chi• others interested in protecting First Mayor W. W. Sedgewick cago, succeeding William P. taxpayers from the expensive Hansen, retired. imposed a $25 fine. Then he or• effects of illegal transportation. dered the driver to shovel the Mr. Lonn started with the At the 14th annual northeast• 5-ton excess off the truck before Central at New York in the Tele• ern regional conference on high• he could proceed. A patrolman graph Department in 1918. He way and motor vehicles, held in watched while the offender was transferred to Chicago in New York, severe warnings were heaved stone for 2 1/2 hours, with January of 1926 and on April 1, sounded of the growing menace a short-handled shovel. 1945, was made Assistant For• to public property and safety re• eign Freight Agent. sulting from irresponsible use of Harry B. Spurrier, Public Re• roads. warning of police activities," he lations Representative with Harold C. Ostertag of Attica, charged, reporting that truckers headquarters at Cleveland, has N. Y., a state assemblyman and with loads to hide drive around been appointed Public Relations Mr. Lonn chairman of the conference, told weighing points. Representative at Chicago. Mr. of a study made in one state Samuel C. Hadden, chairman Spurrier, a former Chicago and to succeed Mr. Spurrier as Pub• which showed that annual up• of the Indiana State Highway northern Illinois newspaperman, lic Relations Representative at keep costs of a road carrying Commission, gave an account of joined the Central in 1948 in the Cleveland. W. A. Hillman, who has been normal traffic averaged only $350 the difficulties encountered by Cleveland position. General Agent of the Indiana per mile but upkeep of a com• public bodies in trying to protect Cecil Muldoon, formerly a Harbor Belt Railroad, Chicago parable road traveled by heavy the taxpayers' roads from dam• member of the staff of the De• Junction Railway, and Chicago truck traffic cost $4,900 per year. age by illegal use. troit News, has been appointed River & Indiana Railroad, has Road hazards created by truck been named Assistant Foreign overloading were cited by Sid• Freight Agent at Chicago. ney J. Williams, assistant to the Mr. Hillman is succeeded in president of the National Safety Central Puts It There, On Time his former position by G. A. Council. "If a highway is regu• A perfect example of the way cated in Austin's shop at Cleve• Vinalek. larly used by vehicles heavier customers appreciate prompt, land had to arrive on the job In another Chicago appoint• than it was designed to carry," dependable rail service was seen site exactly as needed. ment, E. R. Hutton, formerly he said, "the pavement breakage recently during the construction The Central realized this and, Division Passenger Agent, be• of a warehouse at Battle Creek, makes the highway less safe for when it succeeded in getting the came Assistant General Pas• Mich., by the Austin Co., an en• all travelers." business for the Battle Creek senger Agent. gineering firm. Hal Foust, highway editor of job, made sure the stuff got there R. H. Simcox has been named the Chicago Tribune, called On this job, with deadlines on time. to succeed H. I. Gaige, Assistant attention in an article to "con• coming up every day, close tim• Twenty-nine carloads of sup• Auditor of Expenditures, who spiracy" tactics by which law- ing of material deliveries to keep plies, including 320 tons of struc• retired earlier this fall. His breaking truckers avoid appre• up with job progress was a tural steel, were moved by the headquarters are at Utica, N. Y. hension. "Truckers spread "must." Structural steel fabri- Central from Cleveland to the construction site, on time. No Appointed in New York riveter's hammer or welder's arc R. C. Steele has been ap• I'll Have a Glass of Milk, Waiter, had to wait for a train. pointed Assistant Signal Engi• When the job was finished, neer with headquarters at New Austin's project superintendent York. He succeeds E. B. Smith, And Make It a la Carte, Please' wrote the Central praising its retired. performance in delivering the At Detroit, J. H. Hale was "Dinner is served," announced casion. The waiter bringing the goods. named Supervisor of Boilers, the waiter, walking through the milk poured it with a flourish Besides another chance to succeeding A. P. Lieder, retired. cars of the New York Central's and hastened to bring plates for show its skill in precision trans• In one of a number of Line deluxe Southwestern Limited. the sandwiches and cake. The portation, erection of the ware• West Engineering Department One might have wondered at the Steward came back several house also promises to yield ad• changes, L. W. Moss became little girl's being on the train times to make sure everything ditional business for the Central. Division Engineer, Ohio Central all alone; but as she got up from was satisfactory. All in all, it Built for the Consumers Power Division, with headquarters at her seat and started towards the is doubtful whether any princess Co., of Battle Creek, it will be Columbus, O. He succeeds G. dining car, no one could have de• of old was waited upon more at• used to store a wide variety of H. Smith, retired. nied that she was behaving like tentively than was this young equipment. An NYC siding will Succeeding Mr. Moss as As• a very seasoned traveler indeed. diner. serve its transportation needs. sistant Division Engineer at And, to watch her as the Stew• The story was related to the Chicago is C. L. Nolan, formerly ard escorted her to a table, you Central by Mrs. R. B. Applegate, Supervisor of Track with head• would have been quite certain of Cleveland, O., whose daughter P. & L.E. Man Speaks quarters at Englewood, Ill. the little lady had been eating Alice was the little girl. G. V. Holm follows Mr. Nolan on trains for a long time. Alice had been visiting an aunt The Pennsylvania Society of in that position, moving from She was perfectly at ease as in Indianapolis. When she ar• Training Directors recently com• Bucyrus, O. she informed the Steward that rived at home, she was so thrilled pleted its third annual confer• "A glass of milk, please" was all over her "dinner on the train" ence and convention at the Hotel Winds Up Newark Term she wanted; and she was the very that Mrs. Applegate wrote to Webster in Pittsburgh. Robert E. picture of poise as she undid a thank Steward R. C. Brown and Black, Superintendent of Per• W. M. Pranis, Central Passen• package she was carrying and his crew for their "understanding sonnel on the Pittsburgh & Lake ger Representative in Newark, spread out on the table two sand• that allowed a little girl to pre• Erie Railroad and president of N. J., recently completed a term wiches, a piece of cake, and an serve her illusions of grandeur the society, delivered a welcom• as chairman of the transportation apple. and gave her a very happy mem• ing address to the members at rail passenger committee of the The NYC was equal to the oc• ory of her first train trip." the convention opening. Traffic Club of Newark.

Page 10 New York Central Headlight Something to Sell Central Police Are Using Radio-Telephone Schedule Shows New York Central Police De• partments in Cleveland and Cin• How Pacemaker cinnati are using car radio-tele• phones in their property protec• tion work. Similar service is be• Serves Shippers ing installed in two cars at Indianapolis. A new Pacemaker freight At Cleveland four of the De• schedule, showing loading and partment's squad cars have been arrival days for cars in the Cen• equipped with radio-telephones tral's expedited less-than-car- since last July, while a program load service, was issued last at Cincinnati involving three month. squad cars has been in operation It provides Central people and since September. shippers alike with a ready NYC Police Chiefs D. W. guide to details of the ultra-mod• Taylor at Cleveland and W. J. ern merchandise freight service Davis at Cincinnati have pro• nightly linking the east coast nounced the innovation a distinct and the Niagara frontier, with success and claim the system has fast connections for and from many advantages in railroad points further west and south. police work over older methods. Publication of the new sched• Among these advantages, Chief ule reflects addition of Chicago Taylor pointed out that it is not to the list of cities for and from possible for outsiders to listen to which Pacemaker cars are Police Chief D. W. Taylor gets in touch with his headquarters radio-telephone conversations as loaded. in Cleveland by means of radio-telephone, now installed in Cen• they could to police radio calls. tral squad cars in several cities. At wheel is Lt. Ed Darmstadt. Transfers Extend Benefits "Radio-telephone gives com• The popular Pacemaker serv• plete secrecy to police work and cities can keep in touch with for the mobile operator. He gives ice is now available from 32 orders can be given without the headquarters at all times and it her the number of the squad car NYC System stations to a total danger of being overheard," is always possible for a com• telephone and as soon as she of 29 System destinations. Chief Taylor declared. "It is also manding officer or desk sergeant rings the car a red light flashes Benefits of the fast, closely less expensive than radio in to reach his men wherever they on. Calls to any point may be supervised service extend to a many instances and affords the happen to be cruising. completed as long as the car is large number of other cities great advantage of being able to The telephone operates the within range of a mobile opera• through quick transfer from call any point in the United same as a regular phone. If a tor. The men in a cruiser call the Pacemaker points. Helping speed States. You are not restricted to desk sergeant wants to reach a mobile operator by turning on a this movement from transfer any certain area." squad car, he merely picks up radio signal. Then she completes points is co-ordinated highway Police in squad cars in both the phone on his desk and asks the call to the desired point. truck service at many points on the System. All told, 189 separate carlines Attractive Pension Central's 1950 Calendar Machines to Wash (point-to-point scheduled cars) To Be Distributed Soon are offered shippers in Pace• maker service. The New York Central's cal• To handle this stepped-up Offered by Reserve endar for 1950 will be starting Cars at New York l.c.l. operation, the Central has Railroaders, by virtue of the on its way to Central customers Work is under way on installa• 930 specially equipped, smooth- pension plans to which they and about the middle of this month. tion of two passenger car wash• riding Pacemaker freight cars their companies contribute, are The new calendar—which is 18 ing machines which will serve and plans to increase that num• better off than the average when inches wide and 27 inches deep the Central's giant Mott Haven, ber to 1,000. Pacemaker freight it comes to later-life security. —is somewhat wider and shorter N. Y., Yard, where trains of the trains are Diesel-powered and Now comes a plan announced than those issued in previous great steel fleet are made up operate at speeds approaching by the military services by years. prior to leaving New York City those of passenger trains. which NYC men and women The calendar illustration, en• on their trips westward. eligible to join the reserve can titled "The 'New England States' Speedy, thorough, and efficient add even more to the income in the Berkshires," shows the exterior cleansing of passenger Cleveland Terminal Gets they will get in retired life. famous Central streamliner cars will be accomplished Both veterans and non-vet• speeding through the hills of through use of the machines, Award for Safety Record erans can get in on the plan pro• New England. It was painted by which apply washing solution, vided they are between 18 and artist Leslie Ragan and used to scrub the cars with rotating A remarkable safety record 34 (vets can be 34 plus their illustrate an advertisement of brushes, and rinse them clean was honored at a recent meeting years of active duty) and pro• the Budd Company—builder of with water as they pass through. of the Ohio State Safety Council. vided they act promptly. the stainless steel sleepers of the The machines are to be in• The president of the Council, J. By performing certain limited New England States. stalled just south of the High C. Hiestand, presented a safety training duties in the reserve Bridge passenger station. They award to the Power Department (for which they get paid), mem• Engineman Story Subject will flank a special wash track of the Cleveland Union Termi• bers can pile up years of service located between the eastbound nal for a record of nearly 20 credit. If they amass 20 such NYC Engineman Henry Stit- and westbound mains. The two years without a reportable acci• years by age 60 they will qualify ting, of the Hudson Division, was eastbound tracks have been dent or lost time. for retirement pay. one of the subjects of a recent shifted a short distance to make The C.U.T. Power Department, Veterans have already earned article in the magazine section, room for the facility. consisting of a force of 13 men, a full year's credit for each year Parade, which appears in many The two machines will be so was organized in January of they spent on active duty, but big Sunday newspapers. The spaced that while the forward 1930. Since that time it has per• will lose it if they fail to join article, which appeared in the cars of a train are being washed formed 638,106 man-hours of before passing the age limit. Nov. 27 issue, described a coast- by one the rear cars will be work without a reportable acci• NYC people may wish to join to-coast trip in a locomotive cab. washed by the other, thus secur• dent. At the time of the award, one of the Central affiliated The writer of the account trav• ing maximum uilization to take which was presented to A. L. Transportation Corps units. In• eled from New York to Chicago care of the big fleet of cars daily Luther, Power Foreman, the de• formation about them may be in the cab of an NYC Diesel, and requiring washing. partment had put in 19 years, secured from Major C. T. Wag• Mr. Stitting was one of the Cen• The Central already has single eight months, and 15 days with• ner, Unit Instructor, Room 637, tral Enginemen with whom he car washing machines at Chicago, out an accident. 466 Lexington Ave., New York. rode on the trip. Detroit, and Cleveland.

December, 1949 Page 11 Pats on the Back Central Valor Medals for Two Makes Shipper's Award of the cherished NYC Valor Medal, token of heroic achievement, was voted last Problem His Own, month to one Central man and award of the medal was made to another. Wins NYC Friend The medal committee voted to award the distinguished honor A Yardmaster in New England to C. R. Cook, Clerk to General found the answer that a shipper This month sees the annual Yardmaster at Kalamazoo, Mich., in Illinois was looking for, and drive to fight tuberculosis with for his heroic action in rescuing the result was another super- Christmas seals. Buying them a youth from certain death. satisfied customer for the Cen• helps health, combats sickness. While on duty in the Yard- tral: master's office at Kalamazoo last Yardmaster J.W. Fraize picked August, Mr. Cook noticed a up the phone in his office at ledo, O., on the second leg of a young man standing between Framingham, Mass., one night trip to Des Moines, Ia., she dis• the rails on the main track and found Peoria, Ill., calling. It covered something was missing watching a switch engine han• was W. E. Goldsmith, traffic —her ticket and baggage checks. dling a cut of cars. The boy was manager of R. G. LeTourneau, Miss Straight went to the tick• so preoccupied he apparently Inc., asking about a car shipped et office, quite dismayed, and didn't notice a Diesel-powered from his company's Buffalo told Ticket Clerk P. B. Rayle of fast freight coming up behind. Mr. Cook plant. The consignee in Barn• her predicament. The Diesel was blowing its stable, Mass., was pressing for He started checking some of horn, but the boy evidently boy shouting warnings. The boy delivery. the places where the lost items didn't hear it and made no move still made no move. He finally A quick call to West Spring• would be turned in if found. to get out of the way. Mr. Cook noticed Mr. Cook when he was field revealed the car was due Before long his patience and rushed from his office toward the only two or three feet away. in Framingham that night. "We'll diligence were rewarded: his The boy just stepped off the switch it without delay," prom• call to the Stationmaster's office track as the Diesel engine roared ised Mr. Fraize, "and wire you in Chicago revealed that the by, barely missing both him and its arrival time in Barnstable." ticket and checks had been found Farm Youth Leaders Mr. Cook. That's the way it was done, on the train Miss Straight had Jesse L. Yohe, Welder at and Mr. Goldsmith wrote the been riding before her stopover, Honored by Central Clearfield, Pa., received the Central to praise Mr. Fraize's and had been turned in. Valor Medal last month for his work and credit him with being In a letter to the NYC, Miss The New York Central, which heroic rescue of a Clearfield boy "a real asset to the railroad." Straight called Mr. Rayle's help serves rich agricultural areas, from drowning in the Susque• "a splendid example of the kind• is interested in the work done hanna river (reported in Au• Finders Helpers ness and courtesy found in New by the 4-H Clubs to promote gust-September HEADLIGHT). York Central employes." farming progress. Never is kind assistance more At a recent 4-H Club meeting appreciated than when a travel• held in Michigan State College, er is in the unpleasant position of Diesel fuel oil made from coal the Central — through O. B. Entry Deadline at Hand having lost something. The Cen• was used in a locomotive for the Price, NYC General Agricultural tral made a good friend recently first time recently on a trip from and Livestock Agent—presented For Rail Bowling by helping someone in that fix. St. Louis to Louisiana, Mo., to Clover Award pins to 60 out• When Rachel Straight, of New mark the dedication of a new standing 4-H Club leaders. Central bowling teams who wish to enter the 1950 tourna• York City, was ready to board coal-to-oil demonstration plant During the past four years, the Lake Shore Limited at To- of the Bureau of Mines. the Central has presented over ment of the American Trans• 4,000 such awards to 4-H Club portation Bowling Association leaders with five to 25 years of will have to request reservations service to the 4-H. There are before January 1. Iron Horse Thieves more than 2,000,000 boys and George H. West, secretary of the Association, announced re• The chances of girls enrolled in 4-H Clubs throughout the United States. cently that the 1950 tournament stealing a railroad will get under way March 4 at locomotive and get• More than 350,000 of them live in areas served by the Central. the Sunset Bowling Center in ting away with it are Utica, N. Y. At a recent meet• slim indeed, but every ing of the Association—formerly once in a while some• the American Railway Bowling body tries it. For in• Association—G. J. Leek, of the stance, Clerk C. Lee Quiz Answers Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad Berry, at Newber• at McKees Rocks, Pa., was Here are the answers to the elected president. ry Junction, Pa., has Railroad Quiz which appears on done some research page 6. Turn the page upside disclosing that a loco• down to read. Then turn back (Solution to NYC crossword to page 6 and see how your score motive theft was at• puzzle which appears on page 6.) tempted near there stacks up against the scale of in 1883. ratings. Three men made a try at swiping an en• gine of the Fall Brook Railroad (now part of the Pennsylvania Division) as it stood on a track in Williamsport at three o'clock one Sunday morning. The engine had steam up and was coupled to a caboose. The crew were sleeping in the caboose, and the would-be thieves uncoupled the engine so quietly that none of the crew woke up. A neighbor watching from his front porch reported that the trio moved the locomotive, but only as far as a locked switch, where it derailed. They then ran away.

Page 12 New York Central Headlight Detroiters Repeat NYC Helps Town Stage Race As Bridge Champs They stopped the trains to let the cars go by! That was the unusual situation In NYC Tourney at Watkins Glen, N. Y., on the Central's Pennsylvania Division, (Picture on page 8) one day this past fall when the For the second straight year, Central held up its freight trains George J. Riordan and P. J. Na- so that a world-famous auto race politano, both of Detroit, cap• could proceed over the tracks. tured the Gustav Metzman It all started when Watkins Trophy and remain the contract Glen decided to play host to the bridge champions of the New "Grand Prix" (Grand Prize), an York Central System. international over-the-road race The championship was decided for sporting cars. at the second annual NYC con• tract bridge tournament held in Raceway Crossed Tracks Cleveland Nov. 12 and 13. Since the Grand Prix uses The team championship, along streets and highways, rather with the new Brinkworth Tro• than an enclosed track, as its phy—named in honor of the course, permission of town, Above, Main Street of Watkins Central's Vice President, Lines county, and state authorities had Glen becomes a raceway as West—is now held by the Mer• to be obtained. With their okay cars with strange-sounding cury entry, also from Detroit. granted, race officials faced an• names speed through in the The Mercurys, consisting of other problem: the race course Grand Prix. Right, in the air Frances Obertries, Christel Lid- ran straight across the tracks of and rising is one of the speed• strom, Mr. Riordan, and Mr. Na- the Central's Fall Brook Branch. ing entries in the famous event. politano, took 16 1/2 matches. The officials contacted Frank Runners-up in the race for Chase, Central Trainmaster at over three miles of rope to line the Metzman Trophy, with 14 Corning, N.Y. Mr. Chase listened the race right of way. matches, were two brothers, R. to their dilemma, and told the Forty-four cars started in this J. Cantzler of Chicago and R. story to other Central officials. year's event, which was won by M. Cantzler of Cleveland. In a few days, he returned to Miles Collier, of Everglades, roway; singer James Melton; The 20th Century Team of Watkins Glen and told the race Fla. Mr. Collier averaged 68.47 racer Wilbur Shaw; artists Cleveland finished in second officials of the Central's decision miles per hour over the course. Reggie Massie and Peter Helck place in the Brinkworth Trophy —if the operation of the freight Strange in name to all but sport• (he painted the Central's 1949 competition. Members of the trains through the little town ing car enthusiasts were the calendar scene). team included the Cantzler interfered with the race, the makes of most of the entries— Arthur H. Richards, secretary brothers, K. Settler, R. F. Kon- Central would stop the trains! Jaguars, Citroens, Mercedes- of the Watkins Glen Chamber kol, and J. H. Franks. Benzes, Ferraris, Alfa Romeos, of Commerce and an upstate Just to make the tournament 100,000 Witnessed Race Vauxhalls, Merlins. newspaper man, thanked Mr. a real family affair, Mrs. George When the day for the big race Not so strange are the names Chase for "giving up so much J. Riordan and Mrs. P. J. Na- drew closer, the little village of of some of the entrants and spec• of his time and energy to assist politano—wives of the Metzman 3,000 population became a boom• tators: television star Dave Gar- in every possible way." Trophy winners—teamed up to ing metropolis as over 100,000 win the R. D. Neelands Consola• people—from every state in tion Cup. the union and 19 foreign coun• NYC Men Prominent Officers Are Picked tries—gathered there to witness In Police Group Meet Picnic on P. & E. the event. This unprecedented turnout of spectators posed a The New York Central was By Post No. 999 About 500 people—employes of new problem—how would race well represented when the Chi• James H. Fidler, Electrician at the Peoria & Eastern Railway, officials be able to keep the spec• cago Railway Special Agents and Linndale, O., has been installed their families and friends—at• tators off the roads during the Police Association held its 29th as commander of the New York tended the annual P. & E. picnic race? The New York Central annual banquet at the Hotel Central Lines Post 999, Ameri• at Fairgrounds Park in Urbana, again came to the rescue through Sherman in Chicago recently. can Legion, at Collinwood Ill., this year. Highlights of the Trainmaster Chase. Mr. Chase The Association, with mem• (Cleveland). Commander Fidler day's activities included a base• arranged to have the System bers representing 36 railroads succeeds L. R. Grady, retired ball game and races. lend the town of Watkins Glen serving the Chicago district, is Collinwood Machinist. headed by J. T. Husum, Chief of New president of the auxiliary Police for the Central at Chi• unit of the post is Mrs. Henry H. cago. W. R. Manning, Captain of Nece, whose husband is a Bag• Police for the C.J. and I.H.B. gageman at East Cleveland. Railroads, is secretary-treasurer Other officers of Post 999 in• of the Association. clude John T. Williamson, first L. W. Horning, NYC Vice vice-commander; Mat Colagrossi, President, Personnel and Public second vice-commander; H. B. Relations, was one of the princi• Huffman, third vice-commander; pal speakers at the banquet. Kenneth A. Heiny, adjutant; A. L. Simon, finance officer; H. A. P. & L.E. Women Dine Brock, chaplain; A. R. Lynn, historian; Nick Fatica, service The women's division of the officer; and William Bittel, ser• Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad geant at arms. Athletic Association held a din• ner in the Union News Restau• rant Monday evening, October 3. Elected to Vets Post The committee in charge of the Karl F. Emmanuel, General evening's entertainment included Manager of the Central's Peoria Marie Ruoss, chairman; Beryl & Eastern Railway, was elected PLAY-OFF WINNERS are these members of the Passenger Ac• Williams, Mary Margaret Car• deputy director general of the counts No. 1 team of the Detroit Athletic Association Golf League. roll, Clara Phillips, and Betty Military Railway Veterans Asso• Left to right they are P. Porach, J. Paris, F. Cedilote, and D. Northey. The next event of the ciation at the third annual con• Guest. The winners were honored at a banquet after the event. season is the Christmas party. vention held in Pittsburgh.

December, 1949 Page 13 Three New Yorkers Awarded Gold Passes Three New Yorkers, repre• senting over a century and half of service with the New York Central, received Gold Passes in recent weeks in recognition of long and faithful service with the System. Frederick Courtenay, Ticket Agent at the Consolidated Ticket Office on 47th Street in New York City, received his Gold Pass from General Passenger Agent E. E. Pierce. Mr. Courtenay entered Cen- tral service as a Clerk in the Office of the Auditor of Passen- ger Accounts. In June, 1904, he Mr. Switzer was transferred to the ticket of• fice in Grand Central Terminal James Switzer, Veteran as Assistant Accountant and was later named Accountant. When the Consolidated Ticket At Chicago, Retires Office opened in September, James W. Switzer, Assistant 1918, Mr. Courtenay became a to General Passenger Traffic Ticket Clerk there. He ad• Manager at Chicago, retired re• vanced through a number of cently to cap a 39-year Central positions until February, 1942, career. when he was promoted to Ticket Mr. Switzer, who has been as• Agent. sociated with the railroad in• Conductor John Steneck, of dustry for over 50 years, came the 33rd Street Yard in New to the Central in June, 1910, York, received his Gold Pass At top, Frank Dugan (left) presents Gold Pass to John Steneck. as Chief Rate Clerk in Chicago. from Trainmaster Frank Dugan. At bottom are William Weaver (left) and Frederick Courtenay. Advancing through positions of Mr. Steneck came to the Cen• Assistant Chief Clerk and Chief tral as a Switchtender. He be• service as Assistant Agent at the Superintendent. In Novem• Clerk at Chicago, he was ap• came a Brakeman on August 15, Scarsdale, N. Y. He became ber, 1924, he was appointed pointed General Passenger Agent 1902. He was named Yardmaster Crew Dispatcher in New York Trainmaster. Mr. Weaver has at Detroit in 1917. at 33rd Street in November, in March, 1910. A year later held his present position since After serving as General Pas• 1920. Mr. Steneck has been a he was named Chief Clerk to March 1, 1944. senger Agent there and in New Conductor since February, 1938. York, he returned to Chicago J. D. Carkhuff, Superinten• as Passenger Traffic Manager in dent at New York, presented a Long-haul Commuter 1940. He was appointed to his Gold Pass to Mail and Baggage Deceased present position in December Inspector William Weaver. Retires at Elkhart 1947. Mr. Weaver began his NYC Joseph Camarata, Moulder Earl R. Tapley, 59, Shop In• Helper at the Central's Elkhart, spector at Chicago; joined Cen• Ind., foundry, retired recently tral as Special Inspector in 1921. and took home General Manager McElroy Receives C. W. Phillips, 57, Chief Clerk t o Frankfort, at Elkhart, Ind.; joined Cen• N. Y., what is Gold Pass from President Metzman tral in February, 1907. undoubtedly a Charles A. VanAntwerp, En• commuting President Gustav Metzman the New York Central System, gineman, Syracuse Division and record for a presented a Gold Pass to Gen• all of it in Michigan Central ter• first grand vice president of the Central man eral Manager Frank McElroy ritory. Grand Square Club. —almost two during a ceremony held recent• Mr. McElroy entered Michi• Reginald C. Exley, Relay In million miles. ly at Mr. McElroy's office in gan Central service as a Call spector, Erie Division; joined For the past Mr. Camarata Detroit. Boy and Car Checker at Wind• Central in January, 1900; was 18 years, Mr. Mr. McElroy recently com• sor, Ont. In 1902, he was pro• also Mayor of Fairview, Pa. Camarata has been making pleted 50 years of service with moted to Chief Clerk. He be• Harvey J. Stocker, 55, Engine- weekly trips between his home came Yardmaster at Windsor in man at Utica, N. Y.; joined Cen• in Frankfort and the foundry in 1906, and was named Trainmas• tral as a Fireman in 1909. Elkhart. ter in 1912. • Charles A. Hamer, 78, retired It all started back in 1931 In 1926, Mr. McElroy was Engineman at Frankfort, N. Y.; when the Central moved the named Assistant Superintendent retired in 1940. foundry from Frankfort to Elk• at Niles, Mich. From 1920 to George R. Bucklin, 79, retired hart. Mr. Camarata, who started 1933, he served as Superinten• Brakeman at Utica, N. Y.; joined work in the foundry in 1917, dent at Detroit, Bay City, and Central as a Call Boy in 1887, re• didn't want to give up his job. St. Thomas. He became Assist• tired in 1939. So, on October 12, 1931, he ant General Manager at Detroit Charles M. Raymond, 66, re• started commuting to Elkhart in 1943, and was appointed Gen• tired Shop Supervisor at Spring• —a weekly round trip of over eral Manager on August 1, 1946. field, Mass.; joined Central in 1,250 miles. Fifty friends and co-workers 1907, retired in 1945. Ten other employes started honored Mr. McElroy at a party M. T. MacLaury, 71, retired making the trips with Mr. Cam• in the social room at Detroit Superintendent of Personnel; arata, but soon dropped the Terminal. J. J. Danhof, General joined Central in 1901, retired in travel routine. Counsel for the Central at De• 1947, later served as examiner In making the weekly trips troit, presented Mr. McElroy for carrier member on National between his home and the with a gold watch on behalf of Railroad Adjustment Board. foundry, Mr. Camarata used al• those present. Arnold F. Daly, 38, Ticket most 1,000 trip passes. Ralph DeForest, Mr. McElroy's Seller at New York; joined Cen• (Picture by Utica Observer- Mr. McElroy assistant, presided at the affair. tral as Ticket Seller in 1941. Dispatch.)

Page 14 New York Central Headlight Monthly Roll Shows Recent NYC Retirements

Below is a list of some New York Jordan, Frank A., Yard Brake- Martin, William H., Brakeman, Podkoslny, Martin, Machinist Central veterans recently retired, to• man, Rensselaer, N. Y. 40 1 Helper, Kalamazoo, Mich. 33 8 gether with the occupation, location, Kalamajski, Frank L., Laborer, Mohawk Division 50 5 Probst, Spencer, Hostler, and years and months of service of West Albany, N. Y. 21 11 Meyer, Herman C, Machinist, West Columbus, O. 46 3 each: Keberly, Andrew, Machinist Collinwood, O. 27 3 Pulaski, Theodore F., Mail Aldritt, John, Baggage Clerk, Helper, McKees Rocks, Pa. 29 1 Sorter, Chicago 28 9 Kellogg, Ward L., Machinist, Mickens, Dock, Loader, Cleveland 27 0 Rader, August J., Machinist, Detroit 32 0 Mihelich, Tony, Section Laborer, Allen, Arthur D., Conductor, Jackson, Mich. 20 10 Gibson, Ind. 26 10 Kennedy, Patrick J., Foreman, Cleveland 16 2 Randolph, Clyde F., Locomotive Rome, N. Y. 42 5 Millet, T. J., Conductor, Anderson, Clarence T., Leading West Springfield, Mass. 47 0 Engineer, Dickerson Run, Pa. 40 2 Signal Maintainer, River Di• Keyreff. Steve B., Car Repairer, Springfield, Mass. 48 10 Reed, Orla A., Agent, Brewerton, Toledo, Mass. 26 1 vision 41 8 Montgomery, John F., Con• N. Y. 40 6 Allen, Charles E., Conductor, Kirby, Colonel E., Machinist, Reznor, Percival K., Conductor, Jackson, Mich. 37 2 ductor, St. Lawrence Division 42 2 Syracuse 44 1 Moore, Rhodeus W., Locomotive Erie Division 26 7 Richards, William H., Lpcomotive Baker, Alex, Machinist, West Engineer, St. Lawrence Division 42 4 Columbus, O. 31 5 Engineer, Ohio Division 43 8 Banks, John A., Chef, Buffalo 31 4 Riebe, William J., Machinist, Barnes, Herbert L., Supervisor of Elkhart, Ind. 48 10 Transmission, New York 39 8 Roach, James R., Traveling Pay• Barrett, Frederick M., Air Brake roll Inspector, New York 23 2 Mechanic, Jackson, Mich. 27 2 As Rail Careers Came to Close Royal, Tom, Coal Dock Foreman, Bauer, Edward H., Agent, Mina, O. 44 5 Delaware, O. 46 1 Rusnov, Mike, Machinist, Beroske, Charles A., Inspector-Re• Collinwood, O. 42 4 pairer, Air Line Junction, Ohio 37 3 Ryan, Thomas E., Locomotive Bivens, Roy I., General Clerk, Engineer, Ohio Division 46 9 Charlotte, Mich. 35 1 Sahr, Albert F., Extra Gang Blake, Carlton F., Boilermaker, Foreman, Sandusky, O. 52 3 Jackson, Mich. 32 11 Salamida, John, Boilermaker, Bodkin, Victor A., Conductor, West Albany, N. Y. 32 9 Canada Division 40 0 Schram, Thomas J., Assistant Bowen, Lester F., Crossing Watch• Chief Clerk, Chicago 41 5 man, North Manchester, Ind. 29 5 Schroth, George J., Section Bowerman, Ward E., Locomotive Laborer, Batavia, N. Y. 32 7 Engineer, Syracuse 50 4 Schultz, William H., Conductor, Brien, James, Air Brake Re• Toledo East Division 42 0 pairer, Mott Haven, N. Y. 40 8 Scott, Anthony, Conductor, Burgin, Joseph A., Laborer, Canada Division 33 0 Urbana, Ill. 26 1 Semich, Albert, Coach Repairer, Cabot, Mortimer H., Section Beech Grove, Ind. 39 0 Laborer, Springfield, Mass. 18 1 Siebold, Helen C, Stenographer, Carr, Bert, Section Laborer, Cleveland 40 0 Fayette City, Pa. 19 3 Simpson, Edgar D., Trainman, Chambers, William A., Watch• P&LE Railroad 49 1 man, East St. Louis, Ill. 30 2 Simpson, James, Locomotive Christo, Tony, Boilermaker Engineer, Toledo Division 44 9 Helper, DeWitt, N. Y. 30 3 Smith, George H., Division Coover, Carl F., Locomotive En• Engineer, Columbus, O. 45 6 gineer, Ohio Division 33 8 Smith, Mrs. Janet M., Clerk, Daley, Thomas, Yard Conductor, New York, N. Y. 32 0 Syracuse 46 4 Spendlove, Ernest, Car Inspector, Davis, Earl, Yardman, Blue St. Thomas, Ont. 36 4 Island, Ill. 29 1 Spinney, William R., Car Dean, Jimmie M., Brakeman, Repairer, Avis, Pa. 31 2 Buffalo 32 0 Stark, Marvin T., Upholsterer, Devers, George L., Section Jackson, Mich. 30 9 Laborer, Muncie, Ind. 25 5 Staton, Alfred G., Electrician, Dobbs, J. H., Laborer, Columbus, O. 24 1 Beech Grove, Ind. 25 0 Stein, Joseph A., Locomotive Dors, Edward, Traveling Engineer, River Division 40 3 Accountant, New York 47 6 Stone, George A., Machinist, Egidio, Generoso, Section Jackson, Mich. 23 5 Laborer, Electric Division 33 4 Stroup, Guy, Locomotive Faas, Jacob, Conductor, Albany 32 8 Engineer, Illinois Division 22 9 Federico, Guiseppe, Section At upper left, Floyd M. Humphrey (seated), who retired after Styers, Frank A., Car Repairer, Foreman, Utica 46 5 Selkirk, N. Y. 38 6 Ferling, George W., Electrical more than 41 years of service with the Central, receives the first Switzer, James W., Assistant to Engineer, Indianapolis 39 0 plate at a fish fry given in his honor at Shelby, O. Standing, left General Passenger Traffic Fischer, August, car repairer, Manager, Chicago 39 5 Nottingham, O. 42 9 to right, are Cecil Ridehour, Ralph Gray, who has been frying Tandy, George B., Car Inspector, Gangloff, Joseph F., Baggageman, fish as a hobby for over 40 years and was in charge of this fry, Harmon, N. Y. 35 1 Chatham, N. Y. 21 0 and his granddaughter, Ann Hanrahan. At upper right is vet• Taubman, Frederick W., Con• Geier, Oscar P., Electrician, ductor, Mohawk Division 46 11 Buffalo 26 8 eran railroader Helen C. Siebold, who recently ended 40 years Templeton, LeRoy N., Agent, Gibb, George H., Locomotive with the NYC at Cleveland. At bottom, left to right, are Engine- Franklin, Ind. 46 5 Engineer, River Division 48 3 Thiebeau, James B., Road Fore• Gilfilen, Brady O., Locomotive man Charles E. Epker, who retired at Elkhart, Ind., after 44 man of Engines, Watertown, Engineer, Ohio Central Division 42 6 years with the System; Section Laborer Chester West, who ended N. Y. 43 1 Goeke, Joseph H., Assistant Chief Thierry, Edward A., Mechanical Clerk, Cincinnati 40 4 a 32-year System career at Quincy, O.; Thomas McKittrick, Clerk Leader, Detroit 26 9 Goger, Joseph, Coach Cleaner, in the Equipment Department at New York, who retired after Thomas, George A., Foreman, Chicago 29 2 Beech Grove, Ind. 33 3 Goldsmith, Mrs. Maria W., Clerk, over 32 years with the Central; and Traveling Auditor Edward Trout, Arthur P., Locomotive En• West Springfield, Mass. 31 2 gineer, Ohio Central Division 43 11 Gump, William, Crossing Watch• Dors, who climaxed a 47-year Central career at New York. man, Columbus, O. 43 8 Truman, Charles A., Car In• Haley, Patrick W., Conductor, spector and Repairer, Toledo 35 1 Columbus, O. 46 10 Tucker, Chauncey F., Yardmaster, Hallett, Harry, Laborer, Morelli, Vincenzo, Section Laborer, East Buffalo 28 11 Kolb, Frank, Scale Inspector, Tuttle, Marion B., Locomotive Beech Grove, Ind. 30 0 West Albany, N. Y. 46 3 New York 37 1 Engineer, Mohawk Division 37 7 Hannold, James T., Traveling LaDuca, Cosimo, Boilermaker, Moynihan, Dennis J., Captain of Freight Agent, Philadelphia, Pa. 33 11 East Buffalo 38 3 Vavrus, John M., Loader, Police, St. Thomas, Out. 52 9 Cleveland 31 1 Haynas, John W., Car Repairer, Langan, Patrick, Gateman, Muncell, Charles L., Designer, West Detroit, Mich. 12 11 Adams, Mass. 39 5 Vossler, John C.j Welder, Buffalo 26 11 New York 24 0 Watters, Lewis R., Boilermaker, Hazelton, James A., Locomotive Latkovich, Thomas, Gang Fore• Naputano, Joseph, Section Laborer, Engineer, Ohio Central Division 32 2 man, Collinwood, O. 32 5 West Albany, N. Y. 37 11 Norpaul, Ill. 17 3 Webster, Frank B., Locomotive Hettler, George W., Locomotive Laverty, John, Locomotive Nicka, George G., Inspector and Engineer, Syracuse 47 6 Engineer, Chicago 39 0 Engineer, Ohio Division 38 1 Repairer, Chicago 26 9 Wien, Jacob, Hostler, Chatham, Higgins, Joseph, Conductor, Liederman, William, Helper, Nooney, George A., Locomotive St. Lawrence Division 45 2 Buffalo 24 1 N. Y. 42 2 Engineer, Albany Division 45 6 Wilkes, William H., Section Fore• Hilton, Arthur E., Conductor, Lubahn, Frank E., Machinist, Overmoyer, James M., Section * Michigan Division 45 11 Jackson, Mich. 46 6 man, Mackinaw City, Mich. 39 3 Laborer, York, O. 22 0 Winkler, George, Carman, Horn, Robert, Car Oiler, Luebke, William F., Section Pace, Roy T., Clerk, New York 20 3 Victoria, Can. 36 6 Laborer, North East, Pa. 20 8 St. Louis 43 8 Parmertor, Ralph E., Locomotive Winter, Matyas P., Oiler, Hough, William O., Leading Car McGorey, Miss Maude, Assistant Engineer, Erie Division 43 5 Inspector, Dickerson Run, Pa. 32 11 New York 40 9 Custodian, Detroit 30 11 Partyka, Alex L., Machinist Ivins, E. H., Machinist, McGraw, Thomas M., Delivery Withee, Marion B., Section Elkhart, Ind. 48 0 Clerk, Syracuse 39 3 Helper, West Albany, N. Y. 36 11 Laborer, Buffalo Division 22 8 Jankowski, Antoni, Laborer, McKittrick, Thomas A., Clerk, Pec, Michael, Boilermaker, Witthoft, Samuel A., Yard Clerk, West Albany, N. Y. 26 4 New York 32 6 Jackson, Mich. 36 2 Indianapolis, Ind. 31 2 Janousek, Vincent, Inspector and Mallett, Douglas J., Crossing Peterson, Anthony P., Brakeman, Wladislaus, Felzack, Carman, Repairer, Cleveland, O. 29 10 Watchman, Watertown, N. Y. 36 7 Air Line Junction, Ohio 37 0- Ashtabula, O. 20 4 Johanns, John, Car Repairer, Mann, Russell, Checker, New Peterson, Richard A., Porter, Woodall, Lawrence A., Car Linndale, O. 27 6 York 20 0 New York 22 10 Repairer, Charleston, W. Va. 30 11 Johnson, George H„ Signal Marks, Charles H., Conductor, Phelps, Charles, Pipefitter, Wyse, Roger C, Assistant Maintainer, Mt. Jackson, Ind. 34 0 Pennsylvania Division 43 9 West Detroit 21 6 Foreman, Chicago 40 5 Jones, Raymond E., Telegrapher, Martin, John A., Pan Pumper, Plante, Arthur J., Brakeman, Zissoff, Dan C, Car Inspector, Streator, Ill. 42 5 Fox Ridge, N. Y. 46 6 West Springfield, Mass. 40 1 Toledo 29 2

December, 1949 Page 15 Let's Know the Facts OUR READERS A Threat to Our Future TELL US —Another in a Series by G. Metzman, President— Vol. X December, 1949 No. 11 IT was my duty last month—both as President Published monthly by the Public Relations Department for Headlight Goes to School of the New York Central and as chairman of New York Central System employes and their families in the Eastern Railroads Presidents Conference—to Dear Editor: eleven states and two provinces of Canada. Submission of ma• go to Washington and appear before the Inter• terial is invited. Editorial offices: Room 1542, 466 Lexington I do appreciate your sending Avenue, New York 17, N. Y. state Commerce Commission. The subject on me the HEADLIGHT now that I am EDITOR James R. Brugger which I testified before that body is one which no longer an employe. I read it vitally concerns each and every New York Cen• Henry Doherty, New York, thoroughly and even use it in ASSOCIATE EDITORS Harry B. Spurrier, Chicago tral man and woman. Therefore, I am reporting my classes in secondary and on it to you here. D. V. Hyde, Ed Nowak adult education. You see, I am PHOTOGRAPHERS As you know, the Department of Justice has a teacher as well as an "ex-rail." brought action against the nation's railroads, WILLIAM M. KINNIERY claiming the government was overcharged for Millbury, Mass. rail services performed during World War II. The Cheer for Christmas ICC is hearing the case; and the railroads, be• Dear Editor: cause they feel the Justice Department's claims WANT to do something for people this Christ- The article on the new freight are not justified, are opposing the action. mas? Something that won't cost you a cent, guide which appears in the Oct. that will in fact net you a profit both in personal issue of the HEADLIGHT prompts Government Agreed to Rates me to make two suggestions: satisfaction and in good will for your company? In an earlier message in this series, I told you 1. Send a copy to each freight Here's what we're talking about. With the holi• why I consider the government has no right to and passenger station on the days drawing near, people are going to be taking take back the money it paid for railroad services System. our trains on their way to Christmas gatherings. during the war. It was pointed out in that 2. Send me 35 copies for dis• Maybe they'll be going home, or to visit a son or article that the rates paid were agreed upon by tribution to members of a class daughter, or just for a holiday trip. Whatever government representatives according to pro• in traffic management which I their destination, getting there is an important cedures first suggested by the government, that teach at Rutgers University. part of Christmas for them. the rates charged the government were in no Let's see that their trip is as pleasant as possible. S. Z. PLACKSIN case higher than those charged commercial ship• Let's be friendly, courteous, obliging, anxious to Freight Agent pers and were in many cases lower, and that war• help in all our dealings with them, from the Claremont Park, N. Y. time operating conditions added greatly to the moment they come to the ticket window or pick cost of performing railroad services. • Freight Traffic Department up a telephone to call us for information until These points are being brought out in the they have completed their trip. advises wide distribution has been given the freight timetable testimony which the railroads are presenting in Let's remember, too, that holiday time brings and most stations, as well as their own defense in this case. us a great many inexperienced travelers. Some many shippers, have received it. Another point brought out, one which will be of of them will be confused, some will leave articles great interest to all railroad people, is the very on trains, most will ask questions. Let's make Easy to Solve serious threat to the future of our railroad—in them all feel at home on the Central, make them fact all railroads—which the case contains. Dear Editor: feel that we're there to render them a service. No one knows at this point exactly how much Noticing the puzzles you carry If we do this, there's a good chance many of the various claims come to in total, but conserva• in the HEADLIGHT, I am enclosing them will be back with us again soon. It'll be tive estimates place the figure at $2 billion, and a puzzler you may be able to mighty nice to have their business in February, some calculations have placed it as high as $3 use: say, or maybe next summer when they take a billion. It is plain that, if the Justice Department's vacation trip. This is our chance to win them as A motorist was 100 yards claims are upheld, the amount of money to be friends for our road. from a railroad crossing, pro• taken away from the railroads will be staggering. So let's radiate lots of good cheer during the ceeding towards it at 50 miles next few weeks. And then, let's keep up that per hour. A train, coming to• Blow to Roads Would Be Crippling wards the crossing at 60 miles same good work all year 'round. It's not only A drain of such proportions on the financial good cheer; it's good business, too. per hour, was 375 feet away. The motorist kept on going. Did he resources of the railroads—already weakened by get across? the lack of adequate earnings in recent years— The answer is: Yes, he got a would bring many of them near insolvency if not cross—a beautiful marble one actually into that state. At the very least, it purchased by his widow out of would put an abrupt halt to any further improve• his insurance payments. ments a railroad might be contemplating, no mat• ter how badly they were needed to attract busi• RAY CORNWALLIS ness or to maintain efficiency. Former Towerman The case also represents a threat to national Staatsburg, N. Y. defense. The railroads, it is universally admitted, did a tremendous job during World War II. It is Bottoms Down seriously to be questioned whether they could Dear Sir: maintain themselves in a state of readiness to I notice that a number of com• duplicate that performance in another emergency muters play cards on the trains if they were stripped of that sizable share of of the River Division but they their wartime earnings which the Justice De• never play on the ferryboats partment is now trying to take from them. taking them across the Hudson. We of the railroads are doing everything we I took this matter up with the can to present our position—which we feel with captain of the ferryboat "Wee- all our strength to be the right and just one— hawken" and asked if he could effectively in this case. Its outcome is of vital explain it. He said he thought concern to every one of us. the reason was that too many of the players would be sitting on the deck. C. H. PERRINE Retired Weehawken, N. J. • No doubt this is the same cap• tain whose ferryboat always blushes because its slip is show• ing.