The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-18

Their Position Involves Much Intelli-
gence and Responsibility.
Baltimore American.


In free America-where every man is
sovereign and every woman queen-there
are at least two regal classes-the cook
and the sleeping car porter. The American
cook is creature of such strange moods
and fancies that il would be impossible
to half do her justice; and If she is not
done absolute justice she will leave. The
porter, whose important position is only
half understood, even by the travelling
public, holds a relative rank among the
males of the colored race. He is looked
up to by large proportion of them, and
he well deserves TO be; for If he is faith
full he is sure of employment until he shall
be retired by reason of old age; he must
be intelligent and honest in order to OBJ
tain his appointment.
1t is true that good Americans grumble
at him at times, and reluctantly part with
good American money in un-American tips
TO him; but, at the same time, he is so
UNNECESSARILY superior I'm every way to
the corresponding servants to be found on
European railroads that, even at 800 per
month, he is bargain.
A modern palace car, or first-class sleep
er, costs all the way from $4,000 to $50, 600,
and, of course, the palaces on wheels
which are owned by railroad magnates and
ordinary millionaires cost even more. The
porter is the custodian of this valuable
property, in the first place; and, in the
second place, he is held responsible by his
employers for the comfort and convenience
of patrons of the road; and it is not in the
least unlikely that, If he were the crea-
ture he is sometimes represented to be,
he would be reported TO the corporation
employing him. and discharge would
| follow.
The fact that some of the porters run
ming on the Pullman and Wagner lines
have been in the employ of their respec-
| tive companies for twenty TO thirty years,
as may be noted from the service stripes
on their coats. Some of them have been
| the favorites of public men, and they ac-
quire, if only through contact. a knowledge
Of hum M frIra uvhf oh nfCh
any intelligent person who would take the
| trouble to win the confidence of one of
| them. At the same time, there is a
| rule which prohibits these men from talk
| ing to people on trains, and. even If there
were not, that would be the last place
| IN the world in which to obtain informa-
| tiCa. The conductor of the train reports
| the porter for any trifiing misdemeanor,
| spectors, who are continually watching
| them-a fact which the porters know full
| well, although they are rarely able 10
catch I'D with the '.Spotter."
The salaries paid range from SIS to So
| per month. In addition 10 this, however,
| the porter gets the best of eating and lodg-
| ing, free of cost; one uniform year, after
| he has been in the service or his company
| for five years or more. and his perquisites
Tips have not unfrequently been given OF
| $50 or 500, but the porter will accept po-
| litely, almost any amount in silver, gold
| or notes In the matter of tipping Ameri-
| cans are generally lacking in SAVIOR faire
| In France one needs not to be told that it is
| proper to give as a tip an amount equal 20
| 10 per cent. of the article purchased and
| that personal services are to be rewarded
| with a proportionate pourboire. OF course
| there are fools and extravagant people in
| France just as there are everywhere. Per
| haps in this respect, however, we have
more than our share.
| 1t may add somewhat to the respect with
| which the porter is looked upon to know
| that he must be able TO present certificates
/ of good character from all persons who
1 have employed him for the five years pre-
4 ceding his application, and that moreover
he must memorize a lot of rules which are
/ printed for his especial instruction, and
| even go TO regular school Of instruction
| The reports which are made concerning
| him show whether he is an apt pupil OF
| not, and IL he is not he will quickly be
| dropped from the rolls, because there are
| always plenty Of applicants, owing TO the
| ambition which fires the breasts of SC
many young colored men to obtain service
4 in this line.
| Neatness. sobriety, vigilance, politenes:
and especial consideration TO women and
| children are absolutely required OF men In
| this service; and when a colored man has
| once obtained a position and has been able
/ to hold IL for a period of five or more years
| he is fully entitled TO the respect which h.
receives from those OF his own race ant
| to the confidence Of the travelling public IL
| general. Only the best men can stand sucl
| Q period Of probation. The best men arr
| worthy OF being wcIl paid. and there is ns
class better paid than the porter.