The San Francisco call., 1896-05-06
The New Transfer Agent as a
Terror to the Pub
lie.
A WOMAN WHO DEF1ED HIM
Complaint That the Street Corners
Are Illegally Blockaded by
the Railroad.

When YOU travel on the Market-street
railway and presume to ask for a transfer
at the corner of Market and Powell streets.
or at any OF the other corners, you should
be equipped for the encounter with the
transfer man.
You should have your certificate of birth
and baptism, letter of commendation,
your family history, proof of your citizen
ship, passport, one or two photographs,
your marriage certificate, your most mus
cular relative and club.
You must be prepared for any emerg-
ency, have somewhere about ou a writ of
habeas corpus. your last will and testa-
ment, photograph marked "for the San
Francisco CALL" farewell message to
your friends, political pull and another
nickel.
Then if you fall into the angry clutches
of the transfer man you may escape alive,
or at least you may have your remains
identified for future reference in the Cor
oner's Office and the Probate Court.
The transfer man is new at his business
He is big, burly fellow, and the rough
edges of his natural manners do not seem
10 have been worn off, though the wear
ing process has been auspiciouslv inaugu-
rated. He used to be a gripman or was
employed working a pile-driver, and his
muscles are fully developed. He is looked
upon as successful specimen of untamed
man. He is unpublished and in the rougn.
That Is the way people have learned TO
look upon him, when they dare to look
upon HIM at all. The transfer man is not
alone. He has five uniformed associates
at Market and Powell streets, others at
Market and Third streets, and some more
OfhQT inf
transfer men, and il some are more gem
tIemanly and less dangerous than Others.
the public has not had time to discrimin,
ate.
A young woman alighted from Powell
street car Monday afternoon and conf
IDENTIFY approached one of the robust Young
men IN uniform. She was San Francesca
society GIRL a member of one OF the first
families i'll the City. She was not in awe
or the transfer man, for that was her first
experience with him.
"a transfer check, please" she said. sur
rendering the blue ticket that she had re-
ceived from the conductor.
Where you goin' q the agent asked.
II would like check to go eastward, ),
Where you goin' That's what I
asked"
The Young lady knew that she had given
as explicit information as was REQUIRED
and she was vexed at the impudence of the
Durly fellow.
at doesn't make any difference to Won
where am going" she replied. al said
that wanted transfer check to the east
ward o'''''
We'll, you don't get no check till Won
answer my question"
You're bully, sirr' the young woman
exclaimed.
"If you talk like that I'll have Won ar.
rested, was the audacious declaration of
Mr.. Winnings employe. as the incident ia
related by the young woman's relatives.
crowd began to gather, and the uni
formed agent, evidently seeing the danger
of getting into trouble, accepted his first
lesson in humility and gave the Market
street check.
Several instances OF insults to men who
patronize the road have been recorded.
Objection is likely to be made that these
streetcar employees block the sidewalks
and street pavements without any LEGAL
rights. The transfer men stand right in
the way of travel on the crowded corners
and often there are rows of people waiting
10 receive their checks.
1t is argued that the transfer agents
have no right to carry on their work with
out the usual City license and that they
cannot under any circumstances have a