Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-07-19
FRIEND OF THE TRUNK,
A Member of the brotherhood Of
BngEaEemen Talks.

Member of the brotherhood Of
BngEaEemen Talks.
From the Detroit Free Press
How do so many trunks get broken -
repeated the baggageman, as his face took
on an anxious and weary look. tewen,
that's question which has puzzled me for
good many years. and I'd give a good
deal for satisfactory answer"
The baggage smasher doesn't have any,
thing to do with IT, Of course?" was sar-
castically asked.
Not a thing. sir. That's where the pub
lie does him a rank injustice In the old
days they have smashed up trunk oc-
casionally. but In these modern times
trunks are handled like glassware. I've
been on the road for seven years. and DUR
ing that time have not even ripped the
handle Off a trunk"
But trunks come of your car smashed
up"
Yes. sometimes; and I've had people
complain of me and try to get me dis.
charged. They were laboring under a mis-
apprehension. however. In seven cases out
OF ten the trunk is damaged before II leaves
shop until the last minute"
trunks?"
Very, hard, sir. 1t Jars the nails and
the sides Of trunk all fall In, and / am
blamed for 1T. We have to stand trunks
on end, you know. to economic space.
While In that position they are still more
susceptible to the Earring"
1t doesn't hurt trunk to drop 1t from
the car door to the platform. does it?'
Not the slightest. On the contrary Il Il
Is an old trunk the shock will tighten It
up as good as new. On my run 1 save
the public at least s., 600 per year for re-
pairs to the trunks. You have seen two
men seize trunk and fling 1t on top the
pile on truck At such times you think
you hear the sound of breaking glass; but
you are mistaken. 1t is the loose lock of
the trunk settling into place and saving
the owner at least 90 cents in cash. You
have seen a trunk fall from the top of a
load on transfer truck. haven't your"
Yes. have"
1.-The noise was like bursting open a door.
and you probably felt like giving some.
body piece of your mind. The injury was
purely imaginary. The fall simply bottled
the casters on and strengthened the hinges.
I am sorry the public labors under the hal.
lucination 1t does. as it puts a baggage.
man in bad light. 1 suppose you some
times stand around to see your trunk put
on the carr"
And when you see It rolled over and
over, and ended with a bang, and spun half
way down the car, you feel a cold chill?'
Il do"
well, chill no more. Such handling is
really benefit to the trunk and should
be an extra charge. Dear me. but I wish
the public was more appreciativew
How would you go to work to damage
a trunk?"
81 do not know, I have lain awake nights
and specialized and planned and worried,
but have never solved the question. There
is no way could do it, In case of a wreck
a trunk might get damaged, but while I'M
der my care it is as safe as its owner IN
the parlor car. For years and years
have handled at least 500 trunks per week.
and III no case have I been to blame for
any damage. / wish the public understood
this. as 1t would make my life more cheer
full 1t Is useless to hope, though. The
baggageman is a slandered railroad man,
and so he must remain while people travel
with trunks"
And he caught the handle Of an old
trunk, gave it wrench which broke both
hinges and split the cover. and sighed
drearily as he turned to his work checking
off.