Goodwill Pays Huge Dividends

George A. Clark managed the Rahway Valley Railroad with firmness and frugality – which very much attributed to its continued success. He once wrote to the railroad's Vice President, Paul Donovan, ". . . we are just plain down right frugal, in fact, we are so damn frugal that it very often hurts like hell." Yet, Clark's generosity remained steadfast despite the railroad's tight purse strings.

He often donated to the local volunteer fire departments, the United Service Organizations, and the Boy Scouts of America... he even once treated the scouts to a ride in the caboose. In 1948, when Carl Nees retired, Clark arranged to have his salary continued through the end of the year in deference to his years of service to the company.

Clark was distinctly extravagant during Christmastime. “I am quite a penny pincher with company funds, except possibly around the Christmas season when I am inclined to be a little bit more liberal as I have found that good will pays huge dividends.” His sign of appreciation to any man was a donation to his stomach, and he lavished his employees with numerous gifts over the years, including: ten pound baked and glazed sherry cured hams, strips of Canadian bacon by the pound, hickory smoked pork sausage, cheeses from Tillamook, Oregon, assorted chocolates from World’s Finest Chocolate, Inc., and steaks from the Pleasure Chest of Steaks. He’d also annually purchase sweaters from White Stag for the boys and a new set of coveralls for the railroad's engineer.

Contrarily, Clark flat our refused to accept any gift, from any employee, period. He wrote in a notice, tacked on the bulletin board in the engine house, that he ". . . would accept no 'Christmas Gift' from any employee or any group of employees . . . I wish it to be very clearly understood that I expect no ‘Christmas Gift’ and I will absolutely refuse to accept any.” Despite his stern reluctance, the boys provided Clark with a box of cigars every year.