The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1890-11-07
HEDGED IL BY RULES,
Some Of tha Tribulatioas Of SIeap-
ing-Car Porters.
Queer Mandates and Regulations Issued
by tho Pullman and Wagner Com
panIcs-Quest lions Asked OF Men
Seeking Employment.

The life Gf a porter on slecping-car
is usually pictured as one full OF trials
and t-ibulations, and his work as lack
inc sufficient remuneration. All this IS
in u great measure true
Most men who enter into the duties
OF Il s'car-scrvice man. as the portcrs
are called, recognize that they are work
ing for vast corporation, and there
must exist a strict system Of discipline.
Il has been said that among the orders
issued 70 the porters are those 70 wear
clean, white linen, "stand-up" collars
and bright and clean uniforms They
are furthermore forbidden TO speak TO
the lady passengers, unless first spoken
to- In other words, as one Of them put
Il: we are expected 10 dress like
dudes. but not 70 act like thcm.'
\ Chicago News reporter spent some
rimc the other day talking 70 E few Pull
man and Wagner portors- The men
were not at all disposed % enumerate
their little grievances. 4 railroad
official remarked that ii was because
thcy did NOS have confidence in the in
torrogator's identity. They may think
you are . special agent no said. YES,
NC find lots OF things that VIC are
ordered TO do unnecessary and not very
pleasant" said one porter on vesti-
bulod st. Paul train, but IL would not
do for me 70 complain. The officials
would find mo out and tell me- If did
not like the work TO get out snd make
room for = willing man"
Superintendent Lincoln, OF the oper-
ating department Of the Wagner Sleep
ing-Car Company, was interviewed. He
n tod sD
tiOns issued 70 pOrtcrs and conductors.
They a-e almost identical, section after
section. with those Of the Pullman CON-
yany. "a porter OF conductor travels a
rough road u secure his position" said
Nr. Lincoln. Tho number and nature
Of the questions asked the applicant
very often starJle .he man. He must
be able - read and write. - state his
auteccdeuts, education, physical cOndi-
tion, names, addresses and businesses OF
each oi his employers within five years
10 least, stating his position with each
employer, and when and Why nc left tho
employ of CscL man. Tho applicant IS
also asked. Arc you willing 20 go
wherever scnt% Are You in debit? Do
you us. Intoxicating liquors? Do you
Cve- play games Of chance fO- money or
gamble II any Way?' These Gro sample
questions. a porter, when be IS &C.
c"FJed, IS told his duties and supplied
with badges, buttons and white jack
cts Tho uniforms, summon and winter
weights, he must purchase. The porter
d not asked % wear q white vest That
j. a portion ut the conductors summer
! uniform. The vest IN cold weather Is
covered up by the coat, vhich Is but
toned clear 70 the top. 4 white stand
iu--coilar and Hat scarf are demanded OF
tho VortCrs Tor the sake OF having
| foTm;,y and preventing gaudy or
sporty nCcEwear. The shoes or boots
must DO kept polished, and our company
/ prohibits the use OF slippers ~ any
,.mo while on duty. The Pullman
| company allows its portors - wear
| slippers, after all passengers have re
| tired, OF when lying a. = waiting point
| The summer or lightweight uniforms
| nre worn from juno until October :.
| Po.ters are requested % remove their
| caps when making up or putt g away
| bcrths or attending % other si.-ilar dU-
ties. They are provided with white
! duel, Jackets by the company 70 10 worn
| over the uniform while doing this work
| only, and the portcrs must see that
! they secure enough % have clean one
/ to- each night At no time while on
/ duty Is a porter allowed - play cards or
/ gamble. This seems like = startling
array OF rules hut Il the men are will
ing 20 DO the work they arc employed %
| perform they can not consistently com
| plain"
Have GOA any system OF Tewarding
| old and efficient mcn2"
Yes; thcy get the best runs like
those TO New York on the limited. We
have portcrs who commenced working
for - fifteen years ago. Thoy like the
work, and, as ! said, they get the pref.
| erence Of the best rams. These porterz
earn much more than tho conductors. "
| There II one thing which very often
disgusts n Pullman porter. His berth
is supposed 70 be that in the smoking.
| room, but should the smoking-rooIa be
sold he must take upper /" II
| that also is occupied, the porter must
| either remain awake or crawl up on tho
| roof and sleep. between the hours OF
ten p. n. and three q. N. the porter is
| monarch Of the car. Ho can lie Will
| one eye open and watch any number ot
| passengers enter the car at o main
station, but, though they call loudly
| for their bcrths, he never movcs II /.
his sleeping time, and the conductor
| must then make up bcrths