406 



History of Inland Transport 



The foregoing table serves to show the great extent of the 

 railway industry from the point of view of the number of 

 persons directly employed therein, and it also suggests a 

 great variety in the occupations or grades of those employed. 

 In the latter respect, however, the information given fails 

 to offer a complete idea of the actual situation, since over 

 36,000 men and boys (that is, persons under eighteen years 

 of age) are, as will be seen, classed as " miscellaneous." 



Whatever the further variety in the particular occupations 

 included under this head, it is certain that the railway service 

 affords employment for a greater range and diversity of 

 talent, skill, ability or effort than probably any other single 

 industry or enterprise on the face of the earth. From the 

 general manager to the railway navvy, and from the chief 

 engineer, working out intricate problems calling for a high 

 degree of skill and scientific knowledge, to the boy who 

 helps in the unpretending but necessary work of cleaning 

 the engines, there is opportunity for almost every possible 

 class or type of labour, whether skilled or unskilled. 



Over and above the employees, of all grades, concerned in 



