Excerpts from Letters from Park Superintendents

OUR DEBT TO FORMER DRIVERS

Excerpts From Letters From Superintendents Regarding the Records of Drivers Beginning in 1931

FROM THE DRIVERS' MANUAL OF 1948:

Superintendent Emmert (Glacier) wrote:

"We must all strive to serve these visitors in a manner that will reflect credit upon our respective organizations. The drivers of the red busses have achieved an enviable record in this respect. We are confident that this fine record of courteousness, helpfulness and safety will be continued."

Superintendent deVeber (Waterton) wrote:

"In the past the drivers of the red busses have established an enviable reputation for unfailing courtesy and good behavior. I am confident that you will live up to the established tradition."

Note: Manuals were not revised between 1940 and 1948.

FROM THE DRIVERS' MANUAL OF 1940:

Superintendent Libbey (Glacier) wrote:

"You, as drivers of the red busses, are normally the first to meet the visitors to the park intimately and inform them of the many features of interest. It is essential that you master the information made available by your employer in the Drivers' Manual and render an interpretative service in a most effective manner.

"The record which has been achieved by former drivers of the red busses is remarkable and enviable. A survey of the files of this park for a full score of years shows that no just complaints have been submitted concerning the services of past drivers. No reports of indifference, lack of courtesy, failure to care properly for the needs of the passengers, etc., have been received. This record constitutes both a challenge and an obligation to each of you personally to carry on, by your own actions and alert service, the splendid record which reaches back through the years."

Superintendent Le Capelain (Waterton) wrote:

"The drivers of the 'Red Busses' have built up a fine tradition for courtesy and consideration to other users of the highways. This tradition I have every confidence you will continue and extend. You have all been carefully chosen by your employer for your sobriety, skill, experience and courtesy as drivers and knowledge of traffic regulations. It would be well to remember that some of the traveling public do not possess these estimable qualities and, as there is no known method of selecting these few beforehand, to take little for granted when you are in charge of a bus."

Note: Manuals were not revised between 1937 and 1940. The first manual was published in 1937.

FROM THE DRIVERS' MANUAL OF 1937:

Superintendent Scoyen (Glacier) wrote:

"It is the responsibility of your employer to see that you have the proper equipment with which to work. However, practically all of his relations with his patrons will be through you. In other words the major responsibility for the discharge of his obligation of service rests upon the operators of his busses. His contract provides that he will employ 'only sober, skilled, industrious, careful, experienced, and courteous agents and employees'. By making a contract of this kind the government in effect guarantees to the visitors who arrive at the park entrances that this is the kind of people they will find operating the bus lines in Glacier National Park.

"The contract has provisions detailing just what shall be done if the company fails in its performance. It also contains agreements relative to the handling of employees who do not measure up to the standards as outlined above. However, I am proud of the fact that during the six years I have been superintendent in Glacier National Park, we have never had to request the Transport Company to discipline any of its drivers. Also, I have never had a complaint of discourteous treatment lodged against any driver. Moreover, I have never had a complaint against any of the personnel of the Transport Company from persons driving private automobiles through the park. This record of courtesy which those who have preceded you in these jobs have seen fit to extend even beyond their own passengers is something which I desire above all things to see maintained. It should be a matter of pride for each of you to see that it continues unsullied.

"You have many things to keep in mind. However, never forget that your principal job is to operate your machine safely. Your company has never had a serious accident in Glacier National Park, and here again you can add immeasureably to your own satisfaction by keeping the record clear."

Superintendent Knight (Waterton) wrote:

"I have found from personal experience that all the drivers of the 'Red Busses' have been chosen with very great care, as is fitting when your responsibilities are borne in mind, but your good name in Canada is based not only on your excellent ability as drivers but on the courtesy and consideration which you have always shown to other users of the highways--the many instances of this courtesy which I have witnessed might well serve as examples to that section of the traveling public who seem to consider that thought for the comfort of others is totally unnecessary. It appears that you have all grasped the main essential for a driver of public vehicles, that your passengers cannot possibly obtain full enjoyment from the scenic journey which your line serves unless they have the fullest confidence in the judgment and dependability of the driver."