Traffic Solicitation.

At points where traffic organisations are maintained, they assume the main responsibility for traffic solicitation. Out on the line solicitation largely depends upon the local agent, for the division freight agents and travelling freight agents covering extended territories can get around only at irregular intervals, whereas the local agent is on the ground all the time and is the direct representative of the Traffic Department.

Being a part of the community life, the local agent forms intimate relationships with the people in the community and is in the position of being on terms of real friendliness with the public he meets.

Patrons of the railroad judge its service by their contacts with its employees. The impression made by the local agent is an advertisement, good or bad. Whether his contact with the public is friendly and efficient, or arbitrary and inefficient, largely determines the standing of the railroad in the community and its success in securing traffic.