Make it your first duty to protect the lives and property entrusted to your company, as well as the lives of those crossing over its tracks and those of your fellow employees, then will come to you not only the knowledge of duty performed, but promotion in position and increase in salary. That is why your president, general manager, and the whole push are where they are now, instead of working in the ranks.
Never go out without sufficient rest. Don't try to get in too many miles or hours for the pay there is in it, as you may get hurt or killed doing so, or injure some one else.
When an order is given you in writing, or verbally, if you don't understand it, ascertain exactly what it means before you undertake to execute it, and if you understand what is wanted, but don't know how to do the thing, find out from someone who does before, not after, you have made a mistake, as it will take you less time to learn to do it right than it will to explain why you did it wrong, and by so doing you may prevent yourself or someone else getting hurt.
With additional care on your part and that of your fellow workers, together with more and better supervision, based on the theory that it is equally as important to see that rules and orders are observed as it is to issue them, that men are more important in the running of a railroad than things, accidents and consequent losses will, I believe, be reduced one-half.
APPENDIX
The following operating rules are referred to in the foregoing:
In case of doubt, adopt the safe course.
Speed must always be sacrificed for safety.
1. A blue flag by day and a blue light by night, displayed at one or both ends of an engine, car, or train, indicates that workmen are under or about it. When thus protected it must not be coupled to or moved. Workmen will display the blue signals, and the same workmen are alone authorized to remove them. Other cars must not be placed on the same track, so as to intercept the view of the blue signals, without first notifying the workmen. Train, engine or switchmen going between or under cars or engines to make repairs, chain up or examination must protect themselves in the same way by use of red flag or red light.
2. The engine bell must be rung on approaching the whistling post at every public road crossing at grade, and kept ringing until the crossing is passed; and the whistle must be sounded at all whistling posts, two long and two short blasts.