The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-07
Conductors Travel Sixty-four Miles Per Day
for Two Dollars and Fifty CeniS
Captain Bob Squires Explains
a1, JOurdan's Demand.
HOW CONDUCTORS ARE APPOINTED.
The Honest Conductor, Who Grew Rich at Two
Dollars and Twenty-Five Cents Per Day

claimed q conductor on Friday night, on his down
trip from Morrsana to Harlem Bridge.
s'The HI you aint Suppose murder is done on
yer kerr wouldn't IT be better heap sight to prevent
It by gettln' yer back up little, an shown you
had fight in you ~ suggested an extra driver,
who, with lighted cigar in his mouth and car
hook in hand had just staggered through from the
front platform to the and joined the conductor.
al be blowedn he continued, swinging his hook in
the air III wouldn't use this every time TO pro-
uec myself being abused and just TO show the feers
that Use awake ana ready for 'em still; s b'lieve
the papers amt FAIR they shouldn't publish all them
letters abusin raroaders without givin' our side
show"
HERALD reporter, who, with lady, were the
only occupants OF the car heard the closing remark
OF the halfdrunken driver and decided 10 give the
'railroaders shows With this object in view, at
eight O'Clock yesterday morning, he started out to
interview the officials OF the principal Car lines.
The first visit made was to j. w. Smith, Superln.
tendent oil
THE SECOND AVENUE RAILROAD,
whom he found at that early hour in the office,
actually attending to his duties.
REPoRTER-Mr. Smith, the recent tragedy on the
Broadway line has excited the public, and, unduy
perhaps, the railway companies are censured.
come from the HERALD TO talk with you
Mr.. SMITH-Well Pm glad to see you. The letters
to the papers have much TO say about
POLITICAL INFLUENCE
in the appointment OF conductors. This is not
political road When we have vacancies we ap-
point no one who does not come to US with good let
tiers OF recommendation viii not appoint man
letters OF politicians unless compelled TO do so.
REPoRTER-May ask what you mean by being
compelled TO appoint men9
Mr.. SMITH-Why, sometimes politicians Will go
to director Of the road and get letter instructlng
me TO appoint man; but road this Is very
rare occurrence.
REpoRTER-And how are conductors and drivers
appointedG
Mr. SMITH-we make thorough investigation into
the antecedenJs OF every applicant II he proves
TO be a responsible man we appoint him, taking
bond OF $500 that he Will faithfully perform all the
duties and not steal the moneys OF the company. In
addition administer
AN rRoNcLAD OATH.
that Is attached to the bond, in which he he
win not steal, that he has never been discharged
from another road and that he win not 60 Into any
strike.
REPoRrER-What is the pay OF your employees.
and how many hours do they works
Mr.. sMTH-we have about IFS conductors who
are paid 81 Is per day. We have about the same
plumber OF drivers and give them the same pay.
Those employees who have "swng cars" work about
fifteen hours, with three hours of. Those VINO
make the 'straignt runs' are employed from twelve
and half TO thirteen hours.
REPoRTgR-What is there in the statements pub
l.ly made, that starters and superntendents com
pei conductors TO pay them certain sums % retain
their cars?
MIR. SMITH-That, as far as our road Is concerned,
Is untrue but as as ii relates other roads
is irue We have oddities here who have been
conductors since 1852 and
ARE STRICTLY HONEST.
The influence that gets them appointed cannot get
them removed, il the man who Is good conductor
Is in danger OF being discharged by the same inau-
ence that appointed him, we investigate the matter
and retain him.
REPoRrER-But are they not, more or less, ap-
pointed through the influence OF ward politicians
Mr.. SMITH-No, sir. II You came 10 me VITA let
tiers endorsing you would az quickly appoint you
rs II the Mayor OF the city asked appointment for
one OF his friends.
REroRTER-But, Mr.. Smith, it Is charged that
there are
SYSTEMATIC srEALISGs or CERTAIN ROADS.
Can you speak OF that?
M. SMITa-The Broadway and Seventh Avenue
road was notorious for stealings, in which all per-
sons below the late Mr.. Kerr, who was an honest
man, but easily imposed upon, participated.
When Mr.. Marshal took mold OF 1t he endeavorei
70 work a reform, Somebody run in six mea upon
me as green hands, - bat quickly discovered the
fraud and discharged them. / know the road so
well that would never take driver conductor
VINO ha0 been the Broadway aud Seventh Ave-
nue. Railroad.
RErogrER-Tnen you think all your present con-
dnctors are honest.
Mr.. sMlTH-So, not all; but | WIN catch them.
We had men appointed only last week. think we
have as good a class Of conductors as are on any
road IN the city.
RrfoETER-wnat are your orders to conductors
ro'aing 70 the expulsion Of disorderly Or drunken
persous'
Nj SMITH-These are our rulcs-They ar sup
posed to cxpe them q cali upon the police to 40 i
KlroE1EE--Then a conductor who wishes 10 be
honest can be protected by the management
At. SAiTA-Aost assuIeliy. All he has got TO 40
u
REPORT nY DRIVER VINO DIsoBEYs ms ORDERS
10 tie superintendent. II he puts himself an n
hoIc' ~ wedding IL the demands Of the driver he
iL.st iemalA VI Als power. We iavaiiao.y stand "
superintendent SAITH MADE other remarks that IL
neuri ne lnlnalGtous e publish perhaps, At Inc
rue year the reporter Withdrew His ne NJ ylst pas
- the arlstoetatic headquarters q Captain BOZ
Sgu!fcs, OF
THE THIRD AyESuE RAILROAD.
Captain Bob was found ~ the 0Glce III suucrl1.
fcL4ent DlA0l, aAd the reporter AAnued HIN MS
card
Observation-Disclosures Mr. sguire5. am from
Nh soriRis-The HrRALp9 Why. We nave ma
mar dozen HERALD men here already. "A pause1
However, sir Mr. Dixon here Is SapernteAI lent ana
viii take pleasure IN giving you what you want.
Tie reporter quietly TOOK cut his NOTEBOOK, pre-.
paratory 10 questioning Nj. DIT0D when CAPTAIN
Bob steDped f1lo the breach az tbs chnIu,
TnE rOoR ROY on THE MOAAWE
Ills the breach az Albany when there l. danger
Bght out.
air S2rIRPs--Weli. what can do for yon siri
kEposTER-Nr. Squires, how many miles 90 your
conductors travel per day, and now many hours q
1hey WORK
II. sgIIrEs-Tncso on the Harlem run travel
daily
She others travel nfty-our miles and receive
81 - per day. The working time Is ten and half
boirs for all; but the whole tine aoout twelve
filiTieen hours The drivers receive The same pay.
+ REPoRTEk-Do you ind much steangs on your
road aN
slxTY-ForR MILES AND EEcRfyE So 90 PER DAY;
MI. SQriKEs-Nc discharge Instantly all men
- :. M Ia ~ In