Tomsk railway club in early 1900s: social and cultural aspects
The author analyses the context in which Siberian railway workers had to live and work in, they need to develop social and cultural spheres of the railway, in particular, the organization of the railway (club) assembly in Tomsk, which was established by the Office of the Siberian railway on January 1, 1900. It is mentioned that such clubs existed in Western Europe and the United States and some Russian railways. Based on the existing example, railroad clubs were established by all the railways of Russia. The initiative to establish the club in Tomsk in 1900 belonged to the first head of the Siberian Railway, V.M. Pavlovsky. The club was opened on October 21, 1903. The author examines the main objectives and activities, the internal rules of conduct and the number of members of the club. The club had the right to establish a library and reading room, dining room, to install the necessary equipment for training exercises, sports and games, to arrange scientific readings, music, literature and dance evenings, children's evenings, drama and opera performances, gymnastic and athletic exercises and games, community walks and tours, to take on books, newspapers and other periodicals, and so on. Most of the money the club earned itself through members' contributions, arranged performances, concerts and a smaller portion came from the Ministry of Railway Transport. Affairs of the club were controlled by the general meeting of full members and the Board of the Elders. Council chiefs were elected by the general meeting and the ongoing work was carried out: drawing up a report for the previous year and estimates for the coming year, considering the members' suggestions and complaints. Women could not initially be full members of the club, only simple visitors. Soon, the ban was cancelled and persons of both sexes, servants, artisans and workers at the station, as well as their family members could join the club. Outsiders could enter the meeting of the club for an appropriate fee. As part of the club the activities of musical and dramatic circles, chess club, kindergarten, library, as well as a project to create "a model school" are considered. However, the author focuses on the role and importance of the meeting to raise the moral level of railway employees. The club put people together in the activity of cultural and entertainment programs, charity events, financially and morally supported by its members. In cases of violation of the rules of civility and decent behaviour, a visitor of the club could lose his/her right to future visits. Thus, the railway club sought to address the cultural and spiritual needs of employees. Ultimately, these actions were aimed at creating unified, permanent staff at the Siberian railroad, with awareness of belonging to the common railroad family.