The Press. THURSDAY, APRIL 25. 1903. ENGLISH AND AMERICAN RAILWAYS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11565, 23 April 1903, Page 4

The Press. THURSDAY, APRIL 25. 1903. ENGLISH AND AMERICAN RAILWAYS.

Scmo interesting particulars as t-o d:f-

ference.s that exist b.-tween American and ICnglish railways ar<s fjiven by LiouKnnntColonel H. A. Yorke. U.K., chief inspecting; officer if* the Efljilich Board of Trad*, in a report on a visit which he made t--> America.. Into the- technical details of railway contraction and management :n tho two countries we need not enter. Perhaps one of tin? most interest-iris features in Colonel Yorke's report is the section dealing with the mode of selecting men for enmlojTncnt, and in the opportunities far advancement offered them, in which respect Colon-:] Yorke considers tho American railways ure> of English companies. In America, ail employees are regarded ae. in the line of promotion, and examinations for promotions are held fronx time to time as may be required. Applicants wno fail on the first examination must, within one year make written application for re-examination. Those- who nil on the second examination will be dropped from the eervicc. Flagmen, brakesmen, nnd firemen who do not opp'ij for examination within five years may be dropped from the service. The rear-on for fixing

the limit of five years in such, cases is ■i hat the occupations mentioned are considered as preparatory training for the positions of conductor <uul enginemau. which arc the fixed typo of employment in the transportation service; "and," added Colonel Yorke's informant, ''a person who

hae not tho capacity to qualify for either

" of these positions after five years' eervice "is not likely to do so at any time, " and should make way for those who are

"more capable and progressive." In thin way, it is explained, every man employed Upon an American railway has the road open to him to rise to the highest positions, and many of the most prominent men in tt>c> railway world have so ri«m. In every department of industry in America, "efficiency" is the greater watchword, and this is secured by holding out the magic stimulus of hope to every worker. In securing passengers for their respectivo lines the American railway companies show extraordinary enterprise. Some of their methods in this department, and still more some of their "pioneering" work, might be profitably taken note of by colonial Governments, our own among the number. Competing companies vie with each other as to which can offer to the travelling public the greatest comfort, convenience, and! attractions for their money. On trains like the Pennsylvania, special, a correspondent of "The Times" informs us. one finds in addition to the ordinary arrangements of Pullman sleeping cars, .1 bathroom, a barber's ebop, an observation car, ar.d a, library, while woodwork and decorations are of the most costly style. There is a ehorthand

writer and typist who accompanies the train a good part of the- way, and anyone can make. free, use of his services in dictating correspondence, the idea being that a traveller to Chicago or New York shall be able to carry on his buwners on the trains

just as if he were in 3ii3 own office. To ibis end also closing prices of fcho New York and riiiladelphian Exchanges are received en route and posted up in the train. Lady passengers, who may not. want either the typewriter or the closing prices, are furnished , with a lady's maid, while their particular needs arc further studied by the provision for thorn of electrical contrivances on which they can 'boat their curling tongs. Needles* to £ay, the provision of these luxuries causes the train to be talked about, and is in itself an advertisement of the first cla.«s. As nioi:t people nre aware, however, the American railway companies flood, not only the Continent, but almost the entire civilised world, with tons of wellwritten and well-illustrated bocks, pamphlets, folders, etc., regarding the lines and the scenic attractions to Which they give access. They do not wait for passenger* to come to the railway*, or make it impossible for them to buy railway tickets except at a railway station. There are ticket agents in every town; nnd, in addition, there are passenger agent* always on th-3 lookout for passengers to "compel them "to come in." Such an agent, will travel 500 or 600 mik-s to secure a party, say, of migrating farmers, for his line-

Hut it- is in their colonising wrek tlut the American railway companies display n:ost energy and originality. They employ v. staff of able men to find wk the infor which <h<s district traversed by the railway is most suitable, and they render material assistance in gluing Mich industries «rtablifh?d. Their object is 4o ;€t freight for the line. Even the scramble, for passengers bVs for its reai object Uw securing of freiclr, thft transport of p;:s•oer.ge:s in itfclf not being a very payirtsj .part of the busiceea in America. As shewing the- extent to wb:-.-h the compaciis earn- their pioneering tnterpriM, it may be nientjoricd thai, eoan- of them run whit is c:il!v<l "a good r«ad train." IhiiS consists of a train carrying vosdjnakers, road-rollers, rood metal, and ev<"n

.;U:ne-crushing machinery. It. stops at juitrJile plaet*. a. le>:tur-?r g-'>?."s out, addrifts the inhabitants on the value of gaod reads, and explains how they are

! made. Thou, to give a practical turn to thobu«nM*, the gang of workmen construct a piece of roai which remains a standing vtpronrb to the local authorities who neg-;.>-t. to <1o their <'uty, and «n itverr.tire. them to -m-rnd their ways" in future. The. O t>joot ef the company, of course, is to get liw. country opened up by good roods, m as 'o act x< feeders for their railway. Tot re are places in Canterbury where the visit' of a "gocd roads train" eesms to be unt«ut]y required. Bui. as wo hay* «aid. tlu-;-e are many points in the practice, of the.'o crt-:;prisinjr Yankees from which New j Zealand and its Government might learn a