As to the permanency of the occupation, there is only the telephone that in any way threatens to make the telegrapher unnecessary. The limitations of the telephone are such, however, as to make that instrument supplemental to the telegraph. The telephone is, for example, more liable to get out of order, because the apparatus is more complicated, and when out of order it can not easily be put in commission again by the average operator. The telegraph lends itself readily to codes and a written record is usually made of messages sent by telegraph, while the telephone lends itself readily to conversation. Thus each has its own proper uses. The wireless seems to be better adapted to telegraph instruments than to the telephone, especially for long distances. There has been no practical device invented for relaying messages mechanically with the telephone, as can be done with the telegraph. Although the telephone has proved to be satisfactory in the direction of trains, and is being installed on the railroads rather generally, it is hardly probable that it will entirely displace the telegraph. However, it is to be noted that there is some possibility that the service may be flooded with telegraphers only partially qualified to do their work. Radio operators trained in the war can readily become telegraph operators and during the war many women have learned telegraphy. A disabled soldier or sailor entering this occupation should take supplementary training for the position of station agent, so that he may in some measure avoid the competition of radio and women operators.
Disabled Soldiers Who Have Learned Telegraphy
By way of illustration a few cases may be cited of disabled Canadian soldiers who have taken training as telegraphers and entered successfully into this work. Returned soldiers whose former occupations had been that of farmer or farm hand have taken the training courses offered them by their Government, and have thus fitted themselves for this, to them, entirely new line of work. One farm hand, for example, disabled by stiffness of the left elbow, studied telegraphy and secured a position as assistant agent on the Grand Trunk Railway. Another disabled soldier, a former farmer, suffering from leg trouble, studied telegraphy and now holds a position as a railroad telegrapher at a salary of $95 per month. (Salaries paid telegraphers in the United States are considerably higher than in Canada.) Another farmer so disabled in the army that he had but little use of his left leg took a course in telegraphy and now holds a position as an operator paying $82.50 per month, with house, light, and heat free. Still another farmer, who lost his left arm in the army, after studying telegraphy secured a position as a wireless operator at $85 per month and board. If you have not lost your mental equipment and ambition, you can do as well as or better than these disabled Canadians have done.
Other disabled soldiers have taken training for telegraphy to enable them to get into an employment paying more than their former occupation and giving more regular employment. A waiter afflicted with heart trouble, for example, a bricklayer who lost three fingers on his left hand and had wrist injured, a rubber-shoe maker afflicted with stiffness of the left elbow joint, each studied telegraphy, and each has secured a position on Canadian railways.
Old railroad men whose disabilities prevented them from returning to their former occupations have taken training for telegraphy, in which branch of railroading working conditions were better than in their old jobs. A locomotive fireman who had sustained a gunshot wound and lost the vision of his right eye and a finger from his left hand studied telegraphy and secured a position as a station agent. A lineman whose legs were too weak for his old position took both the commercial and telegraphy courses and now has a position as an operator at $88 per month. If you have had practical experience as a railroad man, the courses offered you by your Government will give you the training necessary to enable you to secure that higher position which you have often hoped you could get. Why do you not make your disability your opportunity for advancement? Now is the time to take the training and secure that promotion.
Line of Promotion for Telegraphers
An operator may be promoted to a position as train dispatcher, or as station agent, depending upon his interest and abilities and upon the available opportunities. Opportunities to become station agents are more frequent, because the number of station agents employed is much larger, and promotion in this line may be continued by transfer from a small to a larger station. Before passing to a consideration of the occupation of the station agent, we shall note briefly the position of the train dispatcher.
PLAN No. 965. THE TRAIN DISPATCHER
The train dispatcher must be an expert operator and must have other qualifications which he may have acquired while working as an operator. He must understand the workings of the operating department; he must know the location of sidings and telegraph offices, the distances, grades, and track conditions between sidings and offices, and something of engineers, engines, and train loads. He must have a clear head and must not get confused nor trust to memory or guess as to location of trains. He must keep a record of the progress of all trains and refer to it constantly. He must have the ability to direct men in person or at a distance, since the operators are subject to his orders. It is absolutely necessary that he know thoroughly all the operating rules and regulations of the road. The position is one of great responsibility, especially on roads with heavy traffic on a single-track system. Since he must direct all trains on his division, the mental strain at times is considerable. But the hours are usually short, and the wages paid are high—the annual average being nearly twice that for operators.
The train dispatcher may advance to the position of chief dispatcher, whose duties include supervision of train dispatchers, and general operation of all trains. In emergencies his duties and responsibilities are especially exacting.