The record-union., 1894-02-10
RUNNING A RAILROAD.
How it is Managed Under Politi-
clans in Canada.
Eree Trips for the Boys-Friends of
the Administration Travel as
Porter's Guest in Parlor Cars
Tickets are Not Collected.

recommending that all railroads and tel
egraph lines should be controlled and op-
Grated by the Government. In backing
up his arguments he calls attention to the
successful operation of the Government
roads of various European countries, but
rarely, if ever, directs attention to subsi-
died roads of the nearest neighbor-
across the line.
If anyone is really dissatisfied with the
railroads of this country, operated by
private corporations, and desires to con-
trast the same with the operations OF
Government railroad, he ought to pay
visit to the maritime provinces and in
gpect the workings of the Intercolonial
Railroad, which not many months ago
extended its eastern terminus to Sydney,
Cape Breton Island, and is owned and
operated exclusively by the Dominion
Government.
Horrible tales will be told him of Off
cial corruption in the management of the
road, and astounding figures of annual
deficits in receipts will surprise him.
These last, too, Will be compared with the
handsome showing of profits of roads
traversing portion of the same terri
tory. These eX parte statements may in
terest the traveller, but the working of the
road and OF its employees. as he sees it
and them, are of far greater interest.
WAITING FOR THE CONDUCTOR.
From Sydney to Halifax is an all-day
run. The train leaves Sydney not long
alter o'clock in the morning. Naturally
the through traveller selects TOR his con-
venience and comfort a seat in the draw
ing-room car. These are really very
handsome affairs. a traveller entered
one of them at the unearthly hour of de-
parture one morning last summer, and
was not all displeased at finding himself
the sole occupant. Here is good chance,
he thought, to read or smoke or sleep, as
the case might be.
The hour for the train to leave came
and went, and yet no signal was given.
Thinking that perhaps his watch was
wrong the traveller stepped out upon the
platform of his car and inquired when
the train would start. A brakeman was
standing on the platform conversing with
a number of the townspeople. They
We're were discussing the construction,
beauty and conveniences of the parlor
car.
In response to the question this en-
ploye looked at his watch. "Why," he
SAID, "we are five minutes late already,
but we can't start; the conductor isn't
here yet" Then he turned and nom
chalantly resumed his conversation with
several of his companions entered the car.
They retired to the smoking cOmpart-
ment and began drinking Scotch whisky.
Then they felt the plush of the car seats,
examined its appointments, and finally
walked to the platform again.
Here he comes," someone cried out
moment later, and pointed up the road.
In the distance man was seen approach
ing on run. He was but partly dressed,
and was completing his toilet as he drew
near. 1t was the train conductor, who,
upon reaching the cars, complained of
feeling 'gibberish like" and explained
that he had oversight.
ALL LIQUOR Up"
Have something to drink, Tom?"
asked the brakeman of his superior.
THAT 1 will, Jim, for [ feel picker
ish.'"
With this the two Government en-
ployes filed through the car. and again
the bottle of Scotch whisky circulated.
We're a little late in getting Oft this
morning." remarked the conductor,
pleasantly, to the lone passenger, as he
wandered deliberately through the car
on his return from the morning potation.
He was arrayed in blue suit, which was
trimmed with about as much gilt as the
1ull-dress uniform of an officer in the
service of her royal highnesS, the Queen
and Empress. After exchanging morn
ing greeting with the crowd on the station
platform the conductor gave the signal
and the train started, twenty-five mln-
utes later than scheduled.
In the meanwhile tie company of peo-
pie, who had been cOnversing with the
brakeman, entered the parlor car, and
all hands enjoyed another drink. Then
they started Tor the ordinary cars, but
the brakeman, who acted also as porter,
conductor and chef of the car, for it was
h1lff
ing:
and it's lonesome like. l do hate travel
ing in one of these big cars all by my
self"
Naturally the ''boys" remained. and at
once pre-empted the smoking compart-
menU for their own use. The whisky
bottle circulated freely, the conductor
and brakeman standing up manfully to
the task OF drinking their full share OF
the spirits at the unholy morning hour.
Big. rank cigars and ill-smelling pipes
were lit: the conductor ana brakeman
lighting theirs also.
soon the car was filled with the odor OF
vile tobacco. Before o'clock in the
morning poker game was in full blast,
and the friendly brakeman and conductor.
who spoke to each other tamlllarIy as
Jim" and tTom,' were making side
bets on the hands.
TIE 'BoYs' MoNoPoLIzE THINGS.
All this time the one foriorn occupant
of the body OF the palace car-the only
one who had paid any fare for the sup,
port of the seryice-was frettlng ana
Tuning for an opportunity to smoke a
cigar himself. The smoking compart-
ment. however, was crowded to over
flowing by the deadhead guests OF the
brakeman and conductor. The NUMBER
present when the train left Sydney mad
been augmented by others. Eacn man,
apparently, contributed flask OF ola
Scotch TO the com mon store. III was
drunk from the water glasses IN large
quantities, which made 1t dlstasteIuI Ior
any one to drink water from them
AS the morning grew apace the car nlled
mn little. AT the different stations the
brakeman and conductor exchanged
greetings with friends or political allies
ri the ruling government faction. If any
of these CHANGED to be travelling they were
promptly invited 10 take seats IN the swell
car. Both brakeman and conductor acted
as hosts, ana between times EXTENDED the
hospitality of the whisky flask. L he con-
ductOr became quite Sociable, ana at laSG
took a seat beside the original and only
raving occupant of the car and opened
nm a conversation, In the course of which
the unfortunate traveller slyly remarked:
siIVell. YOU seem to have car full OF
friends. This must pay the Government
we'll"
,liad. Then looking at the checks he
bbad collected, and comparing them, he
continued, There are only two pay pas
sengers here"
why do you let them ride in this car.
tban2,' inquired the traveller, who was
naturally enough not little annoyed at
the invasion OF the privilege for which he
had paid a good round sum.
ONLY TWO PASSENGERS PAY FARE.
-..well, you see." replied the man OF
I..tio- stthaf,s the rule. If the