The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-28
SERIOUS COMPLAINTS.

SERIOUS COMPLAINTS.
MANIFOLD ACCUSATIONS AGAINST THE 81"
ROAD MANAGERS -ovERcRowDING OF CARS
AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND THE GIN
DER NUISANCE.
The secret complainings which the employees of
the 81" roads have been making for some time past
have taken practical shape in remonstrance to the
managers against the present rate of wages and
petition for redress of grievances. The men on
each Of the three roads, however disclaim anything
like an intent to strike. They say they simply lay
before the managers the increased cost Of living
since the reduction in the wages made and ask
for consequent consideration. largely attended
meeting OF the employees who have been subjected
to the reduced rates held Wednesday last the
purpose being to bring the whole matter to formal
termination. and committee then appointed
to draw up petition to be presented to the officials
Of the company; but though yesterday named
as the day upon which to make their grievances
known it been decided that another meet
ing OF tho men must be hold before definite action
shall be taken that the presentation postponed
until early day next week. At the present time
it is complained that 80 day is not sufficient remu-
neration for conductors either the Sixth Third
avenue IL" roads. The brakemen and gatemen on
the Third line it is urged. receive only 81 IS
day for twelve hours work; while the same class of
employees the Sixth avenue line receive 81 SO for q
less number hours and this latter sum is for them
also reduction of about thirty cents day from the
former rates. Again, the conductors the Sixth
avenue line used to BIO able. time allowance, to
make So 40 day. An additional hardship is alleged
in that recently order was issued the Sixth
avenue road that gatemen unprovided with over.
Is Claimed y the enc thaa
they cannot be reasonably expected to support
themselves and their families on the wages paid
.r1fa M Of ttnn
think 1t proper to ask for better treatment at the
hands Of the company. they have not any idea of
quarrelling with their employers in their re-
quest is refused.
PER1Ls A STATION.
But while the employees are thus complaining of
harsh dealing with them by the company the pub
lie also its part is denouncing what many torn a
gross neglect In the want OF protection to travellers
thousands of passengers, especially in view Of
the approaching severe season. Any one who travels
on either the Sixth or Third avenue line between
the hours of five and seven in the evening cannot
fail it is claimed. to notice the pell-mell manner in
which passengers are compelled to enter and leave
the cars. Wien train arrives ut u station, 1t is
argued, each crammed car becomes more less
emptied of passengcra on the upward trip. and
there is q rush from end Of the car to
another to seek to gain an exit. There Is no
rule by which to ye ENTER az 0ne END
would to be simple thing to designate either
the north end or the south end as that for exit thus
leaving end free for entrance. As the business
Is conducted there is 1t Is generally claimed
unavoidable crush inside tho to get out. jost-
destinations. the platforms of the passen-
gers absolutely squeezed together in their efforts
to gain the stations. Those who the station
platform are in still sorrier plight their necks
their limbs are in danger. While the rush
frominsd tho car is going on there IL rush on the
station platform for entrance to the and this
10 said to be even more dangerous than that from
within. The conductor can scarcely be blamed for
not allowing anybody TO hang on to the very edge OF
the platform, and he has therefore to close his
gates. order the brakeman to close Thorn, to pre-
vent danger. and here, 1t Is said begins the terrible
ordeal the passenger. He is summarily shut out
by the closing OF the gato the crowd behind presses
hercey against him, meanwhile the
gineer is sgnalled to go ahead. leaving the disap
pointed crowd to move back best it and pre-
pare for another similar character on the
next approaching train. When ladies every
evening subjected to this annoya is argued that
it Is not much to be wondered ut thaeconstant COM
painlngs the result.
A HERALD reporter stood for few minutes last
evening ut one of the downtown stations the
Third avenue road aud while he there three
rentlemon passed out, demanding their fares back
from the ticket agent. having had sufficient expo.
they said or the crush after the passing OF
the first train.
\ OPEN Fon TuIEvINa.
ton is completely at tho mercy Of thieves and pick.
pockets who may think it worth their while to pay
i've cents for chance to ply their vocation It is
claimed that tho public does not hear OF all tho rob-
berries which occur in these crowds on the IL"
stations: "who is there to keep track of the
thievcsY' is asked. ''Thero is gateman."
box. ny The ticket ticket agent has more than he
From Fl We to In the evening at nearly all the
'busy stations or ia other words the downtown
present He stands near tho ticket agents desk,
where there may be some trouble about change
or paying aud to see that no drunk en- man by chance
shall pass out the platform. Only few days
since, IL Is stated. Mr. Bell lost gold watch
CHI lin on the sixth avenue line. specimen com
plant OF robberies on the IL" roads. sent to the
HERALD, is the followng-
"Mr T. Luzunaur in company with friend.
took the elevated Mt the Rector street station
Saturday evening, and there being rush no was
much jostled by the crowd. When past tho Blocker