Railways a National Industry 431 



One may further anticipate that, as the various tendencies 

 here in question are developed, there will, not only inside but 

 outside the service, be a greater disposition to adopt the view 

 of the American authority already quoted in his suggestion 

 that " the large public policies involved in railroad operation 

 are to-day left to the doctrinaire or accidental publicist when 

 they should be the subject of study and effective presentation 

 by the highest grade of trained experts which the associate 

 railroads could draw into their service." When this latter 

 result is brought about, whether through the higher education 

 movement or otherwise, not only will the railway service be 

 rendered still more efficient, and not only will even greater 

 advantages be conferred on the country, but the position of the 

 railway interests themselves should be strengthened on 

 questions of State control in regard either to the principles of 

 railway policy or to the details of railway operation. 



Recreation and physical culture, as part of the general 

 scheme which aims at promoting the efficiency and the 

 personal well-being of railwaymen, are fostered in the railway 

 world by the athletic clubs formed by the staffs of the various 

 companies, with more or less official countenance and support, 

 and whether in connection with mechanics' institutes or other- 

 wise. These clubs favour, not only athletics proper but cricket, 

 football, tennis, hockey, bowls, harriers, swimming, angling, 

 etc. They are supplemented by a London Railways Athletic 

 Association, which brings together the members of the different 

 clubs in friendly rivalry, while the various gatherings and 

 competitions have an excellent result apart from the other 

 advantages they confer in fostering that social life of the 

 railway service which tends so much to its widespread 

 popularity. 



Mention should, also, be made of the musical societies, 

 the horticultural societies, the rifle clubs, the chess clubs 

 and other organisations. The staff or society dinners, the 

 outings, the smoking concerts and the presentations to 

 retiring colleagues help still further to promote feelings of 

 comradeship, mutual sympathy and goodwill not always to 

 be found to anything like the same extent in commercial 

 undertakings of other types. Such sentiments as these con- 

 tinue to be fostered, indeed, after the service has been left, 

 the Retired Railway Officers' Society having been formed, 



