New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-24

around the operation Of our cars. When we are
In neeo OF men we first refer applicants to Su-
perintendent c. E. Harmon. who was my super
intendent on the New-York Central Mr.. Har-
mon carefully investigates the record Of each ap-
picant and II 1t is not as It should be the man
is instantly rejected Those who are not re-
Jected then go to our instructors. who devote all
their time In training these men cars, In
which the motor parts are open 80 that the COM
plete operation OF the may be seen. These
new men then placed upon our country
lines. principally upon the Bensonhurst line
There they get a regular schooling In arma-
lures rheostats and every part OF the car, SO
that II anything happens on the road, such as
the blowing out of fuse. or any trifing dis
ablement. they may know just what has hap
pened and how to remedy II at once After these
men get a certificate of ability from instruct
ors they are sent to our physician Dr. II. G.
Riggs, who carefully examines them to their
height weight, strength. eyesight and general
health and likewise to ascertain II they have
any physical disability. We take none but men
who are physically able to fill the position OF
motorman. For instance, If a man has heart
trouble he is rejected. Those who pass through
the physical examination all right are then sent
to the division superintendent under whom they
are to work and before they permitted to
take car they go over the line several times
with trained motorman to famarize them
selves with the route. All of this preparation
takes about a week"
President Rossiter also showed a new order
to the mOtormen prescribing certain rules about
stopping and starting cars, and he ends this by
complimenting the mOtormen on the TACT tnat
the system has been much freer from accidents
during the last six months than before.
Il should say that our number OF accidents
has fallen off more than half" said President
Rossiter. ION the Brooklyn Heights lines we
have had only two fatal accidents since Decem-
Der One the of boy stealing ride
on the Gates-ave line and riding on the inside
step. The other the case or an unknown
man in Fulton-st. | consider this remarkably
good showing for road that has mileage or
100000 a month Our cars would belt me
globe seven times a day. The suburban line has
had two fatal accidents since last July II mas
a mileage of about 33S,0OO per month
AT what rate OF speed do you think trolley
cars in Brooklyn be run with safety was
asked.
II think they can be run safely at the rate
of six miles an hour in the crowded districts.
ten miles an hour uptown. and perhaps Twelve
miles en- hour in the suburbs But our instruc-
lions 10 the men to observe the speed ordl-
nances strictly and that they must not make
I'D time by exceeding the speed permitted by
ordinance Time must be made up by not stop
ming for passengers when another car Is snort
distance behind the making up time.
Does not this result IN encouraging the motor
men TO ignore passengers on street corners
Mr. Rossiter said he thought not but as a
matter of fact there is good deal OF complaint
NOWADAYS that motormen are not particular
about sioppng for passengers when signalled.