Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-09-02
ANEW STREET-CAR CONDUCTOR
The Training He Has to Undergo Before He
Becomes Proficient


Becomes Proficient
1t was during commission hours one
day last week when a reporter boardered
Fulton street car bound toward East
New York. The conductor was new his
uniform was new, and an atmosphere of
newness surrounded him. 1t evidently
was his first days experience on the back
platform, and he felt this position keenly.
The most casual observer could not fail
to notice the conductors awkwardness,
and the fact that he was being trained
was more apparent when the presence of
scared and experienced veteran of the
bell-rope was seen beside him. Even the
Fauence OF an experienced man is some
times tried when he has load of passen-
gers aboard with fares unpaid in the mid
die of the car and with but little chance
of collecting them. Under these circum-
stances what must be the feeling of a
new conductor? The presiding genious
of the car on which the reporter rode was
tall and slnewy Irishman, with the most
elegant brogue Imaginable. He was at
times inclined to pull the beu-strap more
often than is customary, but this was ex-
cused by everybody, with the exception OF
the driver. This individual scowled al
most necessarily during the trip, and at
Il
of the utmost contempt in the direction
of the rear platform. Drivers are queer
specimens of humanity and contend that
horse-car conductors are born, not made.
Taking into consideration the crowded
condition of the car and his inexperience, d
the new conductor did comparatively we'll
Such slight Inconvenience as being carri-
ed dozen blocks beyond the streets, and
having their toes crushed by the conduc-
tor, who was unused to the swayinp
of the car, were passed by as un-
worthy of notice by many of the passen-
gers.
After the car had become comparative
ly empty the reporter made his way to
the rear platform, and engaged the old
conductor in conversation. He said:
Before man can become a successful
candidate for a conductors position he
must pass rigid examination as to his
knowledge of the streets across which his
car is to pass. A man must be able TO
tell a street by the appearance of its cor
ners, as 1t often happens that many streets
don't have their names on the lamp-posts.
The principal duty of a new conductor is
to keep his car on time, neither too fast
nor too slow. 1t Is also necessary to OBJ
serve the city ordinance which requires
his leaves the thoroughfare open. A new
man sometimes has to be trained for a.
week before he becomes proficient. Men
who show themselves to be Intelligent
learn in a few days. Of course new con-
ductOrs receive no compensation while
learning. One of the most difficult things
for new man to acquire is to make his
accounts come out straight. They are
often short and but seldom over. New
men are apt to use the indicator too freely,
and their accounts are sometimes dollar
or so short. They are of course, obliged
to make up their deficiency"
'Are conductors obliged under all cir
cumstaRces to turn in an equivalent in
money for the number of fares register
ed?" the reporter asked.
mo, occasionally instances will occur
In which a conductor will ring up IL
fares of passengers who find themsel'
in the wrong car and are compelled to-
off without paying. In case this does ne
occur too often the company will allow
of the fares so rung up TIL
days when a car conductor lived in a
brown stone-house, and at the rate of
$4,000 year, are passed. Honest men
can live on the salary paid, and the com
pany has no use for dishonest men," said
the conductor in conclusion.