The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-05-22
An Eve on the Conductors.

Passenger conductors in California
have about forgotten what the term
knocking down MEANS" said the
wearer of gold-laced cap and brass
buttoned coat to a reporter on South
ern Pacific Railway train recently; ''but
in former DAYS they could have told
you-had they 8 mind to-how they
had been able to buy Consolidated Vir-
ginis 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 tkat
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 compaaies?''
Yes, / know that's what people
seem to think; tut will give YOU my
word of honor that, so far as my knowl-
edge il the matter extends, such is not
! the case. Il isn't because the con-
ducteTs are any more honest nowadays
than formerly, but because they run
greater risks"
1 A1OW Is 'EItdL.
well, there is a system of private
! Surveillance going en- ne.rly all the
while, a sort OF railroad detective
1 agency, which practically frecludes the
chance sf a man knocking down a:
much as fifty cents day. This system
\ is maintained at a cost which far ex
ceeds TIE amount that might be ydi
! verified from the Golfers '6f the company
4 by the&onductor who docks out for TIN
/ main chance, or Eiho strives to makeup
| in sahry what he lleses in sooia!
comfort by being away from his
home and family for twenty foul
DAYS of the month. i do not know
thatthis system unnecessary to the'aims
ofthe company, though it certainly
exists. A man would be as much de
TERED from knocking down if keswert
given to understand that there were
detectives aboard his train, even though
there were not, ;as The would If .eacf
passenger had been secretly constituted
"a ferret for the railroad. There is 6
better opportunity for a freight con;
.ductor to add to his monthly Stipend
than there is on the Hggest passenger
/ train now running OF this coast. There
= man has eveIwthing his own way, and
4 by standing in with the brakeman, be
may reserve for his own use 4, good
share of what turns up in the way OF
non-ticketed passengers. Then, too, !;
man on $50 or S75 month can peculat
with better conscience than one who J
receiving S100'Or 1925, unless the latte
has some grutdge against the c0mpaD
and most of them manage to woI 4:
up such a grudge on slight provecatio 4
NV solution of the question" cantinu e
the conductor, as he winked dis y
significantly, would be to allow CO II
ductors sufficient salary to place tho II
above the temptation of appropriate q
the company cash"
"Can the ferrets always be rdlied o
by the company?"
'No. Occasionally the ;rsilro a.
employs the Mreng man for detect ve
An incident occurred not long ag
where a passenger in the same seat W it
spotter turned ia $3.50 for fare n
the conductor failed to make aely az
count of it 60 accompany. instead c
reporting the misappropriatic7 tih
spotter made the conductor come do ~
with 81 aRd.left only fifty cents IN tn
! hands of the latter, who, thoagh some
! what disgasted at such treatment
4 doubtless considered himself lrsky t
B fall in with:a man who was oG:ths sam
4 lay as himself Even IS it Mes, b
/ expected TO be switched off for aR21out
or so after the Incident Esn2ctSc
Chronicle.