The Washburn leader., 1891-10-31
HEDGED IN BY RULES.
rome Of the Tribu' atio-s Of Sleep
ing-Car Portera

rome Of the Tribu' atio~s Of Sleep
ing-Car Porter.
Queer Mandates and Regulations Jsausd
by the Pullman and WsEner Com.
pauies-QucstionsA Askci OF Men
Seeking Employment.
The life Of q porter on a slecping-car
is usually pictured as ono full OF trials
and tribulations, and his work as lack
ing sufficient remuneration. All this Is
in a great measure true.
Most men who enter into the duties
Of u "car-scrvice man," us the porters
are called, recognize that they are work.
ing for vast corporation, and there
must exist strict system OF discipline.
1t has been said that among the orders
issued to tho porters are those to wear
clean, white linen, "stand-up" collars
and bright and clean uniforms. They
arc furthermore forbidden to speak to
tho lady passengers, unless first spoken
to. In othor words, as ono Of them put
it: "Wo arc expected to dress like
dudes. but not to act like them"
A Chicago News reporter spent some
time the other day talking to fcw Pull
man and Wagner portcrs. Tho mon
were not at all disposed to cnumerate
thcir little grievances. A railroad
Official remarked that it was because
they did not have confidence in the in
terrogntor's identity. "1'hcy may think
you arc special agent, he said. eyes,
We find lots OF things that we are
ordered TO do unnecessary and not very
pleasant said ono porter on vesti-
buled ST. Paul train, "but it would not
do for me to complain. Tho officials
would find me out and tell me il did
not like the work to get out and make
room for willing man."
Superintendent Lincoln, OF tho oper-
ating department Of tho Wagner Sleep
ing-Car Company, was interviewed. He
showed the reporter tho printed instruc-
tions issued to portcrs and conductors.
They arc almost identical, section after
section, with those OF tho Pullman COM
pany. "a porter or conductor travels q
rough road to secure his position" said
Mr.. Lincoln. ''Thc number and nature
of the questions asked the applicant
very often starJlo tho man. He must
be able to read and write, to state his
antecedcnts, education, physical condi-
tion, names, addresses and businesses OF
each CT his employers within five years
at least, stating his position with each
employer, and when and why he left the
employ Of each man. The applicant is
also asked: Are you willing to go
wherever sent?' 'Aro you in dcbt? DO
you use Intoxicating liquors?' DO you
ever play games OF chance for money or
gamble In any way?' These are sample
questions. A porter, when he is ac-
copied, is told his duties and supplied
with badges, buttons and white jack
cts. Tho uniforms, summer and winter
weights, he must purchase. The porter
is not asked to wear white vest That
Is portion of tho conductors summer
uniform. The vest in cold weather IS
covered up by the coat, which is but
toned clear to the top. A white stand
1ng-collar and fiat scarf arc demanded OF
the portcrs for tho salso of having uni
formity and preventing gsudy or
Sporty nccl1wear. Tho shoes or boots
must DO kept polished, and our company
prohibits the use of slippers ut any
time whilo ON duty. Tho Pullman
company allows its porters to wear
slippers, after all passengers havo re-
tired, or when lying at waiting point.
Tho summer or lightweight uniforms
arc worn from June until October 1.
Porters are requested to remove their
caps when making up or putt g away
berths or attending to other 81: liar du'
tics. They arc provided with white
duck Jackets by tho company to bo worn
over tho uniform whilo doing this work
only, and the porters must SOC that
they secure enough to have clean one
for each night. At no time while on
duty is porter allowed to play cards OF
gamble. This scenas like startling
array of rules, but if tho mon arc will.
ing to do tho work they arc employed tc
perform they can not consistently com.
plain"
"Have You any system of rowarding
old and efficient men?"
eyes; they get the best runs like
have porters who commenced working
for US fifteen years ago. They like the
work, and, Us said, they got the pref.
erencc of the best runs. These portert
earn much moro than the conductors
There is one thing which very often
disgusts Pullman porter. His berth
is supposed to be that in tho smoking.
room, but should the smoking-room be
''sold," he must tako ''uppcr L." Il
that also is occupied, tho porter must
either remain awake or crawl up on the
roof and sleep. Between tho hours OF
ten p. M. and three u. m. the porter is
monarch of tho c.r. IIo can lie witt
ono eye open aud watch any number OF
passengers cn:er tho car at mai1
station, but, though they call loudly
for their bcrths, he mover moves. 1t 1.
his sleeping time, and tho conducto,
must then make up bcrths.
Villages Built in Troes.
People who live in trees or employ
them as places of refuge arc apt to be
particularly miserable specimens of the
human family. for their choice of home
Invariably implies that thcy arc no,
strong enough to mcct their enemies OF
the level. Tho trco village recently dis.
covered by Sir William MacGrcgor il