Semaphore - January 1956

CONVERSATION AND DANCING were the highlights of the evening in Charlotte. Miss Joy Harris, Justin Hendrix, Miss Shirley Coley, and Melvin Harris were in a happy mood when their picture was made. On the right, a tireless group of dancers begin the bunny hope. Square dancing and just plain dancing were both popular. The dance was scheduled from 9 'til midnight.

BACHELOR J. T. Miller enjoyed a dance with his associate in the accounting department, Mrs. Janet Parnell. To right is a balcony view of one of the 30 tables in the ballroom of the Hotel Charlotte. Tables were pleasingly decorated with sweetpeas, and there were favors for the ladies.

TRAFFIC STAFF represemtatives gather in Charlotte between Christmas and New Year's Day to discuss sales and service matters. In the front row, left to right, are O. F. Asbury, George Egbert, D. V. Shippey, F. E. Williams, L. R. Lawson, and L. F. Crenshaw. Middle row. J. E. Griffin, L. B. Helms, Jr., D. T. Vandiver, W. C. Bridges, E. E. Culbreath, and M. C. Watt. Back row, W. A. Browder, W. C. Smith, R. J. Laidlaw, C. M. Hawkins, C. D. Peaseley Jr., H. R. Ellis, C. B. Irwin, R. C. Gore, and F. E. Swaney.

Good year ahead . . . say traffic ,em

In accordance with past custom the year-end traffic staff meeting was held in Charlotte on December 28, 29, and 30. About 40 traffic, accounting, operating, and executive department representatives attended the sessions held at the Hotel Charlotte each of the three days. Although traffic staff representatives from on-line points hold monthly meetings in Charlotte, the year-end and mid year meetings held in December and July respectively are the only opportunities off-line representatives have to meet with the staff. Thus, the december meeting was primarily devoted to traffic sales and service in the outlying territories. The three-day sessions were concluded on an optimistic note when traffic men expressed the opinion that business volume in 1956 will exceed that of 1955 by a comfortable margin. President W. I. Rankin entertained the group at a reception and dinner at the Charlotte City Club.

OFF-LINE AGENTS on hand for the meeting were, seated, Messrs. Swaney, Griffin, Gore, and Egbert. Standing are messrs. Irwin, Bridges, Laidlaw, and Culbreath.

12 SEMAPHORE

Masonic Order Honors Treasurer C. L. Taylor

C. L. Taylor, Treasurer and general auditor of the Piedmont and Northern was recently accored two high honors in the Masonic Order. On December 30, Mr. Taylor was installed as the 44th Master of Joppa Lodge No. 530. amd on the same occasion was awared the designation of Knight of the York Cross of Honor. As Master of the Joppa Lodge, Mr. Taylor heads the second largest Masonic lodge in North Carolina. It was organized on Janiary 27, 1905 and has just celebrated its 51st anniversary. The honorary degree of Knight of the York Cross of Honor, highest in the York Rite of Freemasonry, is conferred only on those who have held the highest office in each of the four bodies of the rite. Mr. Taylor became the 5, 734th person to have received this award in North America during the past 26 years. There are four million members of the fraternity. Prior offices held by Mr. Taylor include high priest of the Charlotte Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, in 1948, master of Charlotte Council, Royal and Select Masters, in 1948; and commander or Charlotte Commandery, Knights Templar, in 1949. He is grand scribe of the Carolina. Mr. Taylor, a native of Louisiana, joined the P & N in December, 1939, after long experience with several other railroads and 13 years as and auditor with the Interstate Commerce Commission. On January 1, 1946, he was appointed general auditor of the railroad, and on April 4, 1949, was elected by the board of directors to the position of Treasurer and General Auditor which he now holds.

C. L. Taylor Rail

The heaviest single unit of freight on record was a 7 1/2 mile high-voltage submarine power cable, weighing approximately 745,000 pounds (803,000 pounds including blocking, bracing, etc. ) shipped from Paterson, N. J., to Renton, Washington in the spring of 1951, for use in Puget Sound. The cable was shipped on nine specially prepared gondola cars, The heaviest single unit shipment resting on two cars was a refinery cylinder weighing 611,780 pounds, shipped from Houston to Baytown, Texas, in April 1955. The burden cars were spaced by two idler cars. The heaviest know shipment resting on a single freight car was a steel casting weighing 487, 000 pounds, shipped from New Castle, Pennsylvania, to Cleveland, Ohio, in December 1946.

JANUARY, 1956 13

Along the Line NEWS ABOUT THE FOLKS WHO KEEP THE TRAINS ROLLING

GENERAL OFFICES

Becky Mckenizie, who lives at 538 N. Independence Blvd., has taken the position left vacant by Mrs. Barbara Smith in the traffic department. She was previously employed at Miller Motors in Charlotte, Lew Landers, husband of Mrs. Lavada Landers of the accounting department, fell after Christmas and suffered from a broken arm. He was in the Mercy Hospital, but is at home recuperating now. Cheif Engineer M. D. Clark vacationed at home during the month of December. Auditor of Disbursements and Mrs. A. C. Moore, Jr., were favored with a holiday vist from their daughter and son-in-law, Mr. & Mrs. James J. Corrigan of Washington, D. C. Mrs. E. C. Plyler, secretary to President Rankin, entered Presbyterian Hospital on New Years weekend with pneumonia. After spending three weeks in the hospital, she is home recuperating now. Mr. John Welch who was injured in an an accident several months ago has returned to his job in the accounting department. Mr. Welch has recuperated from a severe leg injury. Engineer B. B. Bridgman of Belton spent a two week vacation at home during December. Brakeman L. C. Martin of Greenville recently visited his son, James Martin, in Washington, D. C., and his daughter, Mrs. Ray Sack, in Toledo, Ohio. Conductors L. G. Walker and W. R. Adams were off the latter part of December due to illness. However, both have returned to work and are getting along fine. Section Foreman Roy Ayers of Greer and Mrs. Ayers visited their daughter and her family in Texas during the latter part of December. Conductor D. J. Sullivan was off several days because of illness. He reported back to work the first of the month. December was a popular month for vacations. Among those enjoying some leisure were: Conductors V. Hariston, C. M. Horton, and W. C. Ferguson; Engineers W. T. Flowers, W. T. Cronic, and G. J. Martin; amd Brakeman R. D. Ballenger. Yard Clerk and Mrs. J. R. Jones and family of Spartanburg recently spent a weekend visiting relatives at Flowery Branch, Ga. Rate Clerk and Mrs. E. B. Smith and family of Spartanburg spent the Christmas holidays at their cottage at Lake Lure, N. C. Lt. and Mrs. Elliot Wooten of Fort Knox, Ky. spent some of the Christmas holidays with Mrs. Wooten's parents, Agent and Mrs. A. C. Maddox of Lyman. Bobby Ray Davis recently joined the Spartanburg Agency as yard clerk. He is married and has two children, Michael, 2 1/2, and Donna Ann, 4 months.

14 SEMAPHORE

Ten Rules of Safety

A contest was recently sponsored by the Natoinal Safety Council for the purpose of compiling the "Ten Basic Rules of Safety" suitable for any industry or organization. Here are the winners: 1. Follow instructions; don't take chances; if you don't know, ask. 2. Correct or report unsafe conditions 3. Help keep everything clean and orderly 4. Use, the right tools and equipment for the job; use them safely 5. Report all injuries; get first aid promptly. 6. Use, adjust, and repair equipment only when authorized. 7. Use prescribed protective equipment; wear safe clothing; keep them in good condition 8. Don't horseplay; aviod distracting others. 9. When lifiting, bend your knees; get help for heavy loads. 10. Comply with all safety rules and signs.

LET HIM TAKE DOWN THE UMBRELLA

RAILROAD QUIZ

1. Are cash transactions balanced out on the railroad's books daily, weekly, or monthly? 2. Which of these are classed as passenger-train cars-refrigator cars, mail cars, express cars, stock cars? 3. If one is making a round trip, can he save money by purchasing a round-trip ticket instead of a separate ticket each way? 4. What is the overall length of a standard freight car axle-between 5 and 6 feet, between 6 and 7 feet, or between 7 and 8 feet? 5. When a shipment is waybilled on Form AD 99 is it a carload shipment or an LCL shipment? 6. What is a combination rate-a through rate made up of two local rates separately published, or a blanket rate for two or more commodities ? 7. Is the current per diem charge for freight car hire more or less than $2 8. In which of these countries is the world's longest straight-and-level stretcb of railway track - Austrillia, Russia or Argentina? 9. Under the new ICC classificatoin of railroads, effective January 1, 1956, is a railroad whose gross revenues total $2,000,000 a year a Class I or a Class II railroad? 10. Does a gross-ton-mile figure include the weight of freight only, or the weight of freight and equipment combined?

----------------- ANSWERS

1. Daily. 2. Mail and express cars. 3. Yes. He can usually effect a considerable saving. 4. Betweem 7 and 8 feet. 5. LCL. 6. A through rate made up of two local rates separately published. 7. More. The rate in November 1955 was $2.40. 8. In Argentina. It extends from Junn and Mackenna and is 205 miles in length. 9. A Class II railroad. 10. The weight of freight and equipment combined.