Here©s Georgia! LIBRARIES - the Digital Library of Georgia

THE
[WestPoInQ
.ROUTE ,
ATLANTA & WEST POINT RAILROAD CO.
THE WESTERN RAILWAY OF ALABAMA
TO ALL EMPLOYEES:
SAFETY-COURTESY-SERVICE
INFORMATION ON BLOCKADES
ATLANTA, GA., February 1st, 1916.
Any blockade to passenger traffic by floods, washouts, or accidents is
always a source of keen interest on the part of the public at large, and
especially those engaged at the time, or are about to engage in a railroad
journey, or who are in close contact with the railroads at the time of such
an occurrence, either as friends come to meet a train or to speed a parting
guest, but, as a general rule, their natural curiosity is usually balked, if not
actually offended, by the reticence of railroad employees who customarily
give but meagre replies to inquiries, which is due of course, to a very natural,
and In the main proper, spirit of reserve on their part in discussing a mis
fortune of the railroad, and are unwilling to appear loquacious in the face
of an emergency.
It is our earnest desire to not only keep step with progress, but to lead
the way in matters looking towards the promotion of closer common interests
with our patrons and the public, and in line therewith this notice Is issued
to impress you anew with the fact that it is our policy to regard the public
as a partner in our good or bad frotunes, and not only are we willing, but
indeed do earnestly desire that you recognize the interest and moral right
of the public, as a member of the family, to be as fully informed as possi
ble concerning any occurrence of this sort.
In future, upon the occasion of any of these blockades, the Superintend
ent will inform the Agents and Conductors as to just what has happened,
and this Information should be promptly disseminated to the waiting public
at stations and the passengers on trains. In the case of a woman with small
children and a lot of miscellaneous hand baggage it is quite conceivable,
if informed by the Agent, before boarding a train, that there would probably
be a delay passing a blockade, or that it might be necessary to get off and
walk around or across the obstruction, she might prefer to postpone her
trip until next day or to a later time, and, even if this should mean the loss
of a few fares occasionally, we would view that result with the greatest
cheerfulness in the knowledge that discomfort or inconvenience to our good
friends and patrons may have been averted, to the advancement of friendly
feeling in the hearts of the people.
CHAS. A. WICKERSHAM,
PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER
217
This
is the
Spirit
of
Our
Public
Corpor
atlons