The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-01-21
METHODS OF MOTORMEN.
Trials and Tribulations of the
Knight of the Lever.
What Is Required of Candidates for
Positions.
Running Rapid Transit vehicle No
Easy Task Experience of n Her
aid Reporter Taking
Street Car Ride.

Inc el6ctr1c car m0tOrman 10 not
new institution in the city, but the
position ia one that continues to attract
attention. Although quite a familiar
figure to the majority of the residents,
vet the characteristics of his position
are not known to many. His ia an &C.
cupation which is deserving of consid-
cradle admiration, but at the same time
is unenviable in the extreme. He is
both abused and compl1mented at the
same time and has the difficult duty OF
attempting to please everybody, regard
less of temperament and disposition.
To the more timid he is veritable
hero, as with lever in hand he stands
fearless and erect on the front platform,
sending his car dashing along at light
ming speed. Others again view him in
the light of demon anxious for VIC
tim and coroner's inquest. The mo-
torman is hailed az q blessing to civiliza-
ton by an expectant passenger who 10
in hurry, yet let that same individual
probably in his own heedlesaness, mar
rowly escape being run down by the
ewiftly moving car and imprecations
long and deep are cure to be showered
upon the head of the luckless crew. 1t
must not be supposed that the motor
man need be a finished electrician.
Very few, if any can give lucid expla-
nation of how their car is run.
A keen eye, ready wit. good physical
developments, presence OF mind and an
even disposition, is what 10 required to
develop model motorman. Any man
of ordinary intelligence, possessed of
these qualifications, can acquire the
necessary knowledge in one day. In
order to insure their thorough compe-
tency, the companies require applicants
to serve from four to six days sppren-
ticeship. They are generally given in
charge of the most experienced hands,
and are not allowed to handle the lever
until after 4S hours' observation. Not
withdrawing its being fragrant viola
ton of the rules, a pioneer motorman on
one OF our electric lines consented to
allow the reporter to accompany him
on the front platform while making sew
eraI trips. No fault could be found with
the prohibitory rule mentioned, but the
reporter, being anxious to make the
trip, promised not to even talk until the
crowded section of the city had been
left behind. On this condition the priv
ilege was granted, and the ride which
ultimately proved auspicious aa we'll as
interesting was begun. Not very rapid
progress WAS made through the more
crow led streets, as the numerous
vehicles passing and repassing in front
OF the car rendered almost useless the
gong, which kept up continual ciang-
ing under the foot of the impatient mo-
torman. At length these stubborn i'm
pediments were removed. and the car,
in street-car parlance, ''struck clear
water" The brake was turned loose,
and the lever sent whizzing around to
the last notch. Away sped the car
like an arrow, and for the first time the
motormsn turned to converse with the
reporter. II will tell you," said he,
1.-The experience | had on my first trip
after being turned In as competent"
The reporter babe him to spin her
off," and he began.
IN y greatest difficulty was in getting
used to the counter motion OF the arms
in stopping the car. Then the conduc-
tors gong and register bell used to con-
fuse me, and, dlssimilar as are their
respective sounds, it was long time be-
fore learned to distinguish one from
the her. l was fearful every moment
OF an accident and unpleasant visions
we're constantly before me. We came to
the open and | wac in persplration OF
anxiety when to make matters worse,
the conductor came through the car
with the pleasing information that we
were seven minutes behind time. |
looked at him in helpless sort of way
end he replied by telling me to let her
co. | was afraid to do this but finally
determined to or die. With much tre-
pidation moved the lever one notch at
a tims and the car like hound released
from its leash, dashed ahead. There
were three passengers on board at the
time but they paid very little attention
to what was going on, and sat with the
utmost complacency waiting indtfer-
emily for their destinations to be reached
"All the time was wondering whether
l could stop the Car when the time for
such action arrived. | WAS at lever
heat, and during the excitement lost all
thought of the people in the car. The
bell rang to stop at the next corner, and
realized that it would be necessary to
act quickly, so began to haul in with
intense vigor. Much TO my CONSERVATION
perceived that the Car was vsibiy in
creasing instead of elackening speed. 1t
wae after we had bounded past the street
like whirlwlnd that my attention was
called to the fact That | WAS moving
both handles the wrong way. l was
not long in rectiiying the mistake with
the motor lever, but had to call nv
conductor to assist mo with the brake,
ard it was only after we had gone ten
I blocks beyond the desired street, run
over dog and narrowly escaped crash
ing into a brick cart, that we succeeded
in bringing the car to stsndstill. The
experience has stood me in good stead
since, for am more careful now than
ever OF course | became very tired at
first, but have become accustomed to it
and fail to experience any disagreeable
effects other than natural fatigue"
The car was now nearing the end OF
the route, and as his superior was very
likely waiting to receive him, the motor.
man requested the reporter to step in
side, and this brought the interview to
close.