The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-01-13
SOFT ON THE EAR.
Conductors Must Now Say
Scooter"
"KARNY" IS ALSO REQUIRED
The Carmen Have a Great Struggle
With the Words, but They
Are Getting Them.

Life seemed TO have no charms for a
Powell-street cable railway conductor yes
terday, as he mechanically collected his
fares and jingled his bell punch. 1t was
easy to see lie was in deep trouble and all
the passengers expressed mute sympathy.
One philanthropic old gentleman ap-
preached the usually gay nlckel-gatherer
and offered consolation.
The car was going down Powell street.
1t had passed Bush street and the conduc-
tor was rapidly approaching collapse.
as there anything l can do for you, my
good MANI" inquired the old gentleman
kindly.
"Wi-will you. please, sir, call the nett
street for me ?'
''Sutter!" yelled the old gentle b
through the car door.
Don't say Suffer- sir, but 'Sooter' Is
against the new regulations
AT the word "Sutter" he visibly shud-
dered. and it required the efforts Of two
ladies besides that OF the old gentleman to
keep him from going into a swOon.
In few minutes he was able TO explain
the cause of his trouble.
You see. it's this way" he began, ''the
superintendent of the road says we eon-
ductors have got to say 'Karny' street for
Ksarny street. and that kin say ifli,intly.
And we've got to say Scooter street for
Suffer street, and I'll be murdered lsipre
can say 1t as the directors call for. L was
born on the greenest isle on earth alnt Itl
not change my nationality for twe1t-two
and half cents an hour, and still II biect
TO lose MY place because can't say SITTER
10 suit the Superintendent"
The conductor heaved deep sigh IS the
car started back, and when Suffer- street
was crossed the name was called in tone
little better than whisper.
We'll, yes, it does come a little hard. -
said dapper little puncher. "All co.,
duetors have plenty to do to keep their wits
about them, to collect fares and les Gyspep-
tic old ladies and gentlemen off at the
right places. but when greater risks are to
be taken by man the salaries should be
increased. What is TO hinder a common,
everyday streetcar conductor from getting
disioeatlon OF the jaw by endeavolln,g to put
an esthetie pronunciation to words? We
are not used to it, and who can fDreteil the
results? We have ell been practiciug TO
say Scotia and 'Karney' ever since these
instructions were issued, and sons can say
them pretty well, but let some of chem get
at Scotia aud the cable will break.
TITS no trouble to say Scotia said an
other of the conductors who wis discussing
the question In the conductors room at the
pOwer-house. Il can say it so sweetly,"
he chlrped, THAT all the ladies In the car
VIII get maSnen on me. My m01tl IS real
pretty when | say it," and lie fitted out TO
catch his car as IT went down the bill
Yes" said Superintendent Lynch of the
Ferries and Cliff House Railway. I'VE have
issued Instructions to all our employees to
prom ounce Sutter street Scooter street and
KearnY street 'Karny' street.
The directors of the road were of the
opinion that the names of those two streets
had been murdered long enough and have
entered upon reform and will eadeavor
through the conductors to educate the peo-
pie of San Fran cisco as TO the proper pro-
DuDcIation OF those streets.
This reform movement was inspired by
George II. Mendell, who was great friend
Of both General Suffer and General Kear-
ny, after whom those streets were named.
General Suffers name WIS pronounced
Scooter and that Of KearnT 'Karny' Mr.
Mendell has taken hold of the matter in
earnest and is championingI the movement
to have the Dames OF thosk two generals
properly perpetnated. He addressed a
communication 10 the directors of the
Ferries and Cliff House Railroad Company
and asked them to instruct their conductors
to properly pronounce the names. This
the directors did for one reason out Of cour-
tesy TO Colonel Mendell, ana secondly be-
cause 1t was proper"
Hereafter all the conductors on the lines
controlled by this company. except those
who are not built that way, will say
Scooter" aud "Karny"