The San Francisco call., 1896-08-25

i've step both in the prestige and deport-
ment of 1notormen and conductors. 1t
commences by stating that the advice if
followed will be of great benefit to you
and will tend to make you more useful to
the company
Above all things, the company does not
want Cranky men, although it expects
every employe to be thoroughly familiar
with all the cranks and wheels of the ma
chinery under his control. A conductor
must certainly have a temper like Job if
he honestly acts up to the advice regard
ing being pleasant.
when asked for information, it says,
hasten to give all that you can, con-
ductor can, by being cranky, drive travel
from the railway, just the same as clerk
in a store can drive trade away.
"Urbanity is capital. without which no
business can be successfully carried on.
Passengers do not always like to make
requests, and their wants should be antici-
pated.
'Do not get out of temper when a pas
senger happens to take offense, but rather
make an effort to appease him and please
him."
Something new is found in the rule
about putting an obnoxious passenger off
the car. Before ejecting him the con-
ducter is to use every means to pursuade
him to be a gentleman, and If this has no
effect then return his fare and bounce
him. The return of the fare is a new
feature.
The poor conductor has another task
which is not any more pleasant. he is
advised as follows:
Should light Of glass be broken while car
is in your charge endeavor to collect 81 80
from the person breaking it. If he refuses ask
him his name and address, and when you
turn your car in make full and detailed ac-
count of it and drop it in the time-card box.
No conductor is to discriminate between
the lady who is fair, fat and fifty and the
dainty maiden who is attending a picnic
at San Lorenzo Grove. He is told to be
''ready at all times to assist ladies, both
old and young, in alighting or getting on
a car; also help them with bundles, ETC.,
always being careful when assisting a
lady to do so in such manner as not to
give offense. Always try to find seats for
passengers by making children double
up, or by having their parents take them
on their laps"
The conductor is dismissed with one
more word of advice, doubtless the result
of talk to a ne wspaperman in the past.
Here is the rule: ''You must not under
any circumstances discuss an accident ex-
cepting when ordered to do so by the su-
perintendent."
The motorman is no longer to be re-
earded as "streetcar man." He will be
expected to be somewhat of an electrician
and more of a machinist. Among other
things the "Letter to Motormen" contains
the following:
1t is not enough for a motorman to know
how 10 turn the current off and on, but he
should be thoroughly familiar with the ma
chinery on his car, in order to economically
operate the same. 1t viii be but question of
time until a motorman will be required to
take an examination similar to that of an en-
gineer. 1t is a well-known fact that man
who understands the parts of an electric motor
is able TO operate the same more economically
than he who does not understand them.
Ifaman wants to make it his busiaess to run
motor, and thereby earn his living, ne
should thoroughly understand his business.
1t is not necessary for man to be an electrl-
clan, yet he should understand his motors. 1t
is expected that soon every car will have g re-
cording Watt meter; then every motorman
will be held accountable for an excessive use
of current, and If he does not know enough to
run his car with economy he cannot expect to
be retained in the service of this company.
Motormen will clearly see that it is to their in
terests to study and become thoroughly IA
miliar with everything in connection
with the motors. There are great
many good books on the subject OF
electricity which can be purchased
eheaply, and which, if studied by them