New-York tribune., 1899-08-06
TRIALS OF A MOTORMAN.
HARD WORK, LONG HOURS AND ANXIETY
FOR PEOPLE ON THE TRACK.
ACCIDENT BLANKS FILLED OUT BY THE MEN
EVERY NIGHT-LITTLE THINGS REPORT
ED AND DISCHARGES FREQUENT

EVERY NlGHT-LITTLE THINGS hEfON4
ED AND DISCHARGES FREQUENT.
We'll" said the new motorman. as he dropped
into a chair beside Tribune reporter last night,
I've been weeks the front OF trolley
car and I'm ready TO agree with the writer OF that
editorial in yesterdays Tribune where he says
that the motorman on the surface car has the
hardest time and deserves the best pay
Then the new motorman paused while ne read
letter from Delaware County and after he had fin
ished ne began TO tell of some Of his experiences
II got so sick OF the old town" said he that
made up my mind several weeks ago TO get out
and never go back. When the folks heard me say
anything about leaving, they would say. wen give
you two weeks and then townsville will he good
enough for you again. That made me not ana al
last | got money enough together 10 buy a ticket
to New-York That Just before the trolley
strike and my application had been In several
days had no trouble in getting a job. They sent
with about fifty others down to the Third-aVe
depot. and put what they call n schooi car
This car they to break In new men on ana us
a sight to the greenhOrns do stunts on H.
They have It off the track about half the time
and burn out fuses three four times a Day lhey
have school cars Of three or four kinds and you've
got to try your hand for n week altogether on all
the before you get to the graduating car. II
pitiful to some OF the old men who appiied
try to get used to running those cars l saw sew
eral over fifty years old. and know from the way
they acted they didn't have cent After week
OF practising Of them failed on the final ex-
amnatons and had to 90 away without work
The who rides the doesn't know much
about what the mo,orman has to go through be-
fore he's allowed to take out car. II would take
half a day to tell all about It,
TO wind up, they make you sit down with an
inspector and answer-or try to-a lot OF questions
These fired at man to see whether ne re-
members what has been told him. one Of the eX-
amners asked me what ia do II the motor con-
troer handle should get stuck while the power
was full. SO that | couldn't move it either way.
and the rope on the trolley pole should break |
saw in a minute that the question likely TO be
a knockout. and. not knowing anything better to
tell him. said I'd get off the and let 1t slide
The Inspector just grinned, and said he guessed
that would be the right thing to do.
"Do you know what putting it on the loop
means? no? | thought you didn't. We'll. It's
this There are double motors under each car.
The controller handle Is worked on notches. from
one UP TO seven. according 10 the make OF the
car The last notch on the motor box Is the loop.
Up TO the last notch the power Is all from one
motor When the las, notch is put on. the second
motors power Is brought into play. That's What
makes sudden lurch Of the just after It gets
under headway. and makes you think you're going
over country road thank ye ma am AS much
power goes on with that last notch as was on all
the other notchcs together.
Il could stand the hard work and irregular hours
all Tlgnt, continued tle new lnotoIHld1, p"N Mus
and drunken nearly driving me TO drink
on Monday night at dusk was sailing down liam
!lton-aye. feeling good because had not met with
an accident az CAV On doorstep SAT a nan ai.i
her ball The child threw the ball up II bounded
toward the car. and the litti" girl followed IT.
was running at nearly fun speed and the child
never saw me AZ all although was KICKING the
in me d"orway and The fatbcr put his hands oyo-
his eyes Did Kill the kid? Not AZ all ! reversed
the power. and put on the brake quick that
doubled
II the seats in front Of them Just grazci the kid
FOR damages on account Of shock to their systems.
II | could get SO for every shock TO my system In
wearing So suit Of clothes and patent feathers
III you bend the fender of your run
dog or spill wnsh"rwomans : basket OF clothes
by starting too soon or have drunken num fall
Oh W , ,o' ~ '',.''S . nv ,S,, TIh a., ~ INN mn
days had pretty hard luck. and u took me three
cidcnt report. ON the MN night. when appeared
at the depot after my last nun tn" Superintendent
dent report blanks right over there on the table
You see. he got so used TO hearing OF something
ton didn't happen 10 need report that night.
and was glad TO tell him So
uniform before Won begin work The badge and
end OF the first full week told that the
pany always held back weeks pay II you 20 into
gin mill you're discharged Mr Rossiter is
ceodingly strict about that. don't know you
awful work on the front Of a trolley car sober
man has IL hard enough. hut n woU.d b" q good
deal worse II the man was grosgy. II you're sick
and cannot work. you're compelled to take three
days OF. This Is so that a man won't report sick
lose three fu Gays Sr Sr@ry 70 me It, lis IS FR woRIep %
more people are not Killed. Tho schedule calls for
running cars at nearly fun speed between crossings
II you get bockad'd. tn" Inspector reports you at
once, and at the depot the superintendent can tax"
explanations or not. just ne likes. As rule
explanations don't 90. II man IS late his run.
he's ikcy 20 lose his job. I'VE been homcsck
since I've hccn down here that on one or two
nights I've sat on the bed and beloved Just like
big calf. ia shake hands and take on my hat to
yellow dog this very minute II he came from
townsville. Just for the sake Of old times and be-
cause he came from home. But | amt going
give In. ! couldn't stand the ridcule II ] went back
now, and I'm getting used 70 the kids and 'drunks.'
Most of my old friends In Delaware County are
working for not more than $50 so a month and
I'm making $4 and SIG week. That will do
TIL ! can got something better to do. I'm going
10 stick II ont. but some days after pretty near
running over kid or drunk can't eat
sleep. and then II is that wish was back I'm
Downsvile. taking care Of the and digging
potatoes"