The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-05-24
An Eye on the Conductors.

Passenger conductors in California
have about forgotten what the term
knocking down MEANS" said the
wearer of a gold-laced cap and brass
buttoned coat to q reporter on South
ern Pacific Railway train recently; "but
in former days they could have told
you-had they mind to-how they
had been able to buy Consolidated Viz
ginia stock, smoke two-bit cigars and
get new suit of clothes once month
without the necessity of going very
deep into their salaries"
''But the conductors were close
mouthed regarding such transactions
then, and how is one to know but that
with the same quietness and the same
opportunities on their part now, there
may still be the same number of private
assessments levied on the companies?"
"Yes, | know that's what people
seem to think; 'but | will give YOU my
word of honor that, so far as my knowl-
edge in the matter extends, such is not
the case. 1t isn't because the con-
ductors are any more honest NOWADAYS
than formerly, but because they run
greater risks"
Chow is that?'
"Well, there is q system of private
surveillance going on nearly all the
while, & sort OF railroad detective
agency, which practically precIudes the
chance of a man knocking down as
much as fifty cents q day. This system
is maintained at cost which far eX-
ceeds the amount that might be di-
verified from the Golfers of the company
by the conductor who looks out for the
main chance. or who strives to make up
in salary what he loses in social
comfort by being away from his
home and family for twenty four
days of the month | do not know
that this system is necessary to the aims
OF the company, though it certainly
exists. a man would be as much de
TERED from knocking down if he were
given to understand that there were
detectives aboard his train, even though
there were not, as he would if each
passenger had been secretly constituted
ferret for the railroad. There is IL
better opportunity for II freight con-
ductor to add to his monthly stipend
than there is on the biggest passenger
train now running on this coast There
n man has everything his own way, and,
by standing. in with the brakcmen, he
may reserve for his own use q good
share OF what turns up in the way of
non-ticketed passengers. Then, too. q
man on $50 OrS15 a month can peculate
with better conscience than one who is
receiving 800 or SIPS, unless the latter
has some Grind Up AGAINST tho noD,,,nDv
and most of them manage to work
up such grudge on slight provocation.
My sol ution of the question, continued
the conductor, as he winked his eve
Significantly, ''would be to allow con-
ductors sufficient salary to place them
above the temptation of appropriating
the company's cash"
"Can the ferrets always be relied on
by the company"
mo. Occasionally the railroad
employs the wrong man for detective.
An incident occurred not long ago
where passenger in the same seat with
a spotter turned in 81. 80 for fare and
the conductor failed to make any ac-
count of it to the company. Instead of
reporting the Misrepresentation the
spotter made the conductor come down
with 81 and left only fifty cents in the
hands of the latter, who. though some
what disguised at such treatment,
doubtless considered himself lucky to
fall in with a man who was on the same
lay as himself. Even as it was, he
expected to be switched off for month
or so after the incident. San Francisco
Chronicle