The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-08-07
UNIFORMS IN STREET CARS.
Second Avenue Conductor. Ordered to Buy
New suits and Caps.

There is much excitement and no little In
dignation among the conductors OF the Second
Avenue Railroad because OF an order that has
been issued recently requiring them to prepare
themselves within n given time to purchase
uniform suits and caps. What makes the order
seem harder to the conductors IL that the COM
pany has designated the tailor and the halter
from whom they are TO buy. and this seems to
them an invasion OF the liberty Of the sub
ject." Some OF the conductors say that they will
resign rs soon rs the enforcement OF the order
is attempted, while others are M yet undecided.
The single men," a veteran said last even
ing. can afford to talk bold and brnsh. but we
fellows with half dozen mouths to feed must
be prudent But God only knows where I am
to get the uniform; and am sure there are
flny. or more in my FIX. ! have been on the
rond for many years. and have tried to do my
duty; am getting 81 a day, and work most 81
the time seven days u week. That gives me ga
n week To pay house rent and keep wife and
five children. | live way up town, but the
pose work thirty days. which is a big average ;
that leaves $40 for food and clothing for my
WIFI my 6sdd dn " and ,d %ysS We have
tented with absolute necessarics
A., Now this com,bany, 'manis oi mo to save save
can save tll 80 out OF q ss."rv at 'au hnre.
~ live on? When went on the road paid f2J
fer my punchIthcy we're usin. punches then
punch WIS abolished my s25 was not returned
to me. have heard since that il was kept rs n
not heard that would he entitled To any inter-
est on Il. Indeed. / believe thut all ;he
interest TINT arises from this and hundreds
the company. And further than this. am in
formed that the company holds this money sub
Icct to my good behavior. Now. who is the Judge
as 20 this Why. the company. Of course. And
whose interest ia 1t. in case am discharged. to
show that have net acted sdnerely Again.
In u.tfal al / in
the hands Of n corporation. and must, like the
little Scotch boy that was scratching his head.
Many conductors said that they could not al
ford to buy uniforms. and some also objected to
the uniforms on tho ground that they did not
ono Of the officers said last evening: The
order has been known to the men for two weeks
or more Weintendcd to give them ample time
To- save up the amount necessary. The suit will
cost tlj. ana the cap 3j. Our men get from $50
To- ~ mon'h II ihcy choose t. work. and
time we have given thcm. We thought. and
| still think. that uniform would be- best both
| fur tho company and the mon. l. will do away
with Complaints Of untdincss that are fire.
| qurutly made
| tailor and halter 10y the company. They in
/ sinuate that there Is something WRONG about
/ An can shy in reply 10 their insinuations
il that We had proposals from five Of the leading
/ firms IN each trade. and selected those that
/ offered tho hr-' and cheapest goods Bennett 4
| Bros. 81 IN" Buwcry furnish III" suits nj 81
| each. and Goliing Bros. " Eighth avenue as
| well us Of the Bowery. are TO provide caps nj
| 81 IS each The company provides the buttons
which ar" detachable. So that II "A man quits th'
rond he can wear his suit ns an ordinary bust
ness suit of blue flannel. We have 1870 regular
and say MY extra condu tors and the extras car
always command nv" or six days work week
| If they are on hand'i
Conductors say they have known industrious
| extras To- make AS low as 6S cents a day. ans
| work only one day week They do not ave
| rage anything like 81 week. The new uni
| form L. To- les worn on Monday next. or as sooi
| thereafter as possible.