New-York tribune., 1880-06-20
a rH1ErISH CONDUCTORS BLUNDER

CURIOUS DISCLOSURES ABOUT SYSTEM OF
"KNoCKING DOWN. AND DIVIDING TIE sPOILs.
A few evenings ago a TRIBUNE reporter hailed
one OF the southernbOund twOhorse cars on the SXth
Avenue Line at Ffty-secondst and jumped aboard.
The seats filled with passengers at the tlne' anu
he remained standing the rear platform by the sac
OF the conductor He did not leave this position until
the car reached the street where he desired to get or
and during the intervening time the conductor seemed
uneasy and watched him closely. Several hours later
the reporter returned to the Sixth Avenue Line ana
boarded OF these at Pakplace and Church-s|
On entering he recognized the conductor that he
came down WITH and the uueaslness Of the man OF ares
was cOnspcnousy renewed and increased
There were only few persons in the car and 1t craWied
along slowly to the depot Rt Fortythrdst" where all
the passengers except the reporter deserted It, Then
the conductor went through the and held consula
tlon with the driver who turned arCuna ana starcd long
and haru at his only passenger He then shook his head
mournfuy. The conductor touching the serlDes shOu
der, said:
Are you doing business for this road "
The reporter curious tokiow what he desired replied
Well yes; | have occasionally done little business
with this road"
look Of terror came over the bury conductors ooun
trnancc and he threw his arms out az ldl leEth ana
continued IN a pn voice;
"Wcll, I'm caught, Gnd suppose you VIII nave me
DISCHARGED You saw me knock down six fares going
dnwn ard four coming up. knew you were spotfr
when you got on my car-lnd your getting on the
second time proved it-but thought might as wei
be killed ior stealing an old sheep as lamb You can
have ne discharged II yOu like perhaps you VIII 40
ns some OF the other spotters domakc divy and call
II square"
The rcyorter was curious to know more about the
system OF stealing the He aId lac did not undecciNe
the frightened the. Well" said he, lyon took ten
fares that saw. That would amount to 30 cents ana
that divided would give only 20 cents to each IdOnt
;hlnk that il much Of an nducement do Oyou =
"Oh, didn't mean for one trip. | meant for all OF
my trips"
How much would that he :" asked the reporter.
about a do lar and half q day
The reporter gave low whistle. and the conductor
einilcd al the prospect OF rfrccting compromise
"Can you give me 20 cents day II keep your
arcrctT
$50 coudn't give you that every day. for some days
don't carry many passengers, aud therefore can
knock down ~ much" -
low much DO you generally give the other spot
trI-l'"
well you acc have not been the road very long,
and do not know any OF them but yOu suppose nn go
uc tle too heavy now, hut waS obliged DOfrO" %
to procure SITUATION. OF course yOu UNDERSTAND tat
W., ml.t dru0s 80 for punch aud S6 To make chaISc
on thr cars; besides that must have watch The
comInny pays II - day, anu there Is no single
man live on that let alone the married ones
/ Now, cdI they T.
Tnn car had by this time reached the reporters des
! tinalInn 80 Ee bade the cOniding conductor G0"u
nynI" and mused the effect on the company dlVl-
d,nis ~ tnc syBtem OF Knocking down which tue
/ brllpunch aud similar devices have not suppressed