y replied to my inquiry as to their custom of
discriminating against drinking men in these words: "We have no printed
rules in regard to this except in a general way,--that no employee is
allowed to go into a saloon during his hours of work or wearing the
company's uniform. Of course the men are promptly discharged or
disciplined if they show the effects of liquor while on duty, and the
whole tendency of the administration of the rules is to get rid of any
men who are habitual drinkers, but the administration of the rules and
discipline is left to the superintendent of each division." The
Interborough Rapid Transit Company of New York has these printed rules
for the physical standard required for applicants for employment:

1. _Examination of heart and arteries._ Rejection of candidates
showing excessive or long-continued use of tobacco and alcohol,
with explanation of condition, causes, and dangers of continued
use. Warning to chiefs of departments regarding those accepted who
show tendency to drink at times, but whose physical examination
does not disclose sufficient evidence to warrant their
disqualifications. Foremen and chiefs of departments to be
notified and to carry out the policy of employing only men who are
at all times sober and not under the influence of alcohol at all.

2. _On reexamination of employees._ Warning to or rejection of
those showing, on physical examination, indulgence to excess of
alcohol, tobacco, or drugs. Warning to chief of department of
evidence of such habits on part of any employee examined for any
reason, but retained in service of the company with injunction to
chief of department to speak with such employee and have him under
proper supervision.

The blacklisting of habitual drinkers by their union, and the growing
tendency on the part of large corporations, factories, and business
houses to take a decided stand against drinking, are having a marked
effect in reducing drunkenness where it does most harm. This practice
has been declared by John Bach McMasters, the noted American historian,
to have exerted a stronger influence in promoting temperance and total
abstinence than all the temperance crusades from Hartley's time to the
prohibition wave of 1907. The school, by instructing children how the
alcohol habit will affect their chances of business success, future
usefulness as citizens, and enjoyment of life, will inevitably reduce
the evils of alc