Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-02-23
TEACHING MOTORMEN.
Some Of the Tricks 10 Be Learned by the
Novice.

Its just as much of an art to handle
"A trolley car as it is TO drive a horse"
said an old mntorman on the Augusta.
IIallowen ana Gardiner line to the news
papcrman the other day. Some men ac-
quire this capacity after a few lessons
while others although they may be quick
a. other things are never able to learn
how to manage car as gently as the
jockey drives a horse. There's n knack
to 1t of course and some men for some
reason or other find it impossible to get
hold of this peculiar necessity.
i've broken in dozens of men," he
continued, land it has been my expert
CnCe that Il cannot be told in advance
what men Will make the best motormen.
know of dozens Of cases where bright
intelligent young fellows have applied
for jobs ana have begun the Iessons-for
we have Il regular course for them but
in spite Of careful teaching ana many
hints have proved to lie absolute failures.
You can generally tell, though. what
sort Of men they'll make after they work
the handles a few times. Some seem to
take naturally to it ana after Il few trials
can run a ear rs smoothly as If they
had been At il for years. while others aft
or "A couple of weeks steady practice are
unable to start thcir car or bring it to a
stop without throwing half the pussen-
gers into the aisle These sort Of men
would soon cut down the number of reg
ullr patrons.
'Thcn there are others VINO seem to be
afraid of the car and 4 man who's
afraid can never make a success. You've
got tp have fun confidence in your ahi-
ity to manage your charge no matter
whether you're going uphill or down and
No moment You lose that confidence you
might rs well resign for if you don't
throw up your job Of your own accord
An accident sooner ur later will bring an
invitation To step out
In the larger cities where considerable
training ana experience il required he
fore a man can run 4 car properly. the
companies hav" srhoal-trolleys lifted M
tur thr express purpose Of the men Who
are learning to run the motors. Here in
Augusta me teaching is done Oh Il small
ar scale hut as men from this city fro
qEerty lind employment in Boston and
New YORK il is evident that the course
If instruction here is considered salts
flctoiy ly the officials of the bic roads
when 4 new man applies for job on
the local road. he is given over Ia one
of the c,u ana experienced drivers to re-
ctivc his first instructions. The early
lessons are learned through observation.
lie watches closely how the motorm1l
the handles ana how he handles
his car on curves ana hills ana while 60
ing through turnouts and how he, avoid
running down teams ana pedestrians in
streets.
After this preliminary course. if he
shows himself IN apt pupil, ne is allowed
t. take the handles himself. During this
part Of the lessons he is watched closely
for his success depends largely upon thu
way in which he manages the juice.
II he proves successful he is allowed to
run tile ear several days under the dirrc |
ton Of his teacher. If. however. in the !
opinion Of the instructor. he is not get
ting along as fast as Ec should, his ease |
is reported To the superintendent.
Daily reports are made Of the novic.'s |
progress ana when one comes that hiS |
work Is not satisfactory he is put in |
charge Of another teacher. If the new |
nreCeptor finds the same faults, he is gen |
orally /, jrcted. for all the men who are
chosen IT, instruct the beginners are good |
Judges ma can tell after a few days trial |
whether the man will bc success.
in case he makes good progress ne con-
Jinucs 10 run with a regular man until
a week or 50 when he is put in charge OF
4 CAR IN one ot the easy routes. During
his time Of probation he is watched BY |
The conductor ana the superintendent who
Frequently travels with him t. give him
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