The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-12-19
TIMELY TOPICS.

y
ago. the holiday rush of travel on the
Delaware and Hudson road Is on ana
is growing daily. Loaded trains during
the busy hours, early morning ana
evening, are the rule. On the evening
trains up and down the coaches are
filed sometimes to overlooking. 1t fol-
lows that the conductors have their
hands full to pick up tickets and are
sorcly taxed to 'clean up Il train, as
they call it. when the stops are so
numerous and the distance between
stations is so short.
For several days the Delaware and
Hudson company has had its trains so
crowded that the work was found to be
away beyond what one could effective
ly dispose of, and remedy had to be
applied. The desired relief was secured
in the employment OF an extra con-
ductor on each train. The different
bagsagcmasters We're called upon, and
now the work is divided. The cOnduc-
tor begins in the smoker and works
towards the rear. The extra conductor
starts in the rear car. continuing until
he meets the conductor. In this way
The train is properly covered. All OF
the tickets are picked up between sta
tions and Il heap of confusion Is avert
ed 1t is an easy matter for Il con-
ductor to forget the destination of some
Of the passengers, and it is not unusual
ror Il passenger 10 take advantage of
this ana try to ride several stations be-
yond the one 10 which his ticket carried
him. This arrangement also operates
To save delays thereby keeping up the
efficiency OF the service by maintains
ing the schedule.
The head brakeman fills the baggage
masters place and an extra brakeman
does duty on all trains except the two
Saratoga Expresses"
Touching on the mistakes which
conductor is likely to make in the tick
cts he collects, brings to mind what
conductor on one of the local roads
said the other day with reference to
this very subject.
"Of course said he, its a trick of
our job To remember the faces of every
body who rides and the tickets they
give up, but It's impossible sometimes
to keep in mind everybody and every
ticket. This is particularly true on
leaving Scranton in the evening, when
every seat in every car is taken and
there are passengers standing IN the
aisle. Occasionally We have to ask
man u second time for his ticket, but
We hesitate. for there is sure 10 be some
bother It's strange how people take
oil'ense at this asking, They don't seem
To be able or willing to make allow
unces for the overtaXed conductor who
has amy number of troubles OF his own
They pitch into him ana reel of any
length of abuse. The Intelligence Of the
persons who lose their patience on such
occasions would surprise YOU i3ut
there's no redress for the poor COn-
ductor; he has to grin and bear it With
the rest of his troubles"
Postmaster Thomas long ago earned
the reputation of meeting the postal
needs Of the residents of Carbondale in
a highly satisfactory manner In his
administration of the office of post
master he has shown the same qualities
that characterized his tenure of office
as clerk OF the courts, which was
marked by signal efficiency. Therefore,
when Il department official gives iesti-
mony anew of how Well the postoiiice
here is being conducted, ii offers addi-
tionai reasons ior feeling that Carbon
dale has so worthy Il postmaster This
testimonial 10 Mr.. Thomas comes from
Inspector iormun, who made Il visit or
inspection tn the carbondale postoltice.
Like all government employees who hold
positions where silence is golden, Alr
German. after his inspection. was not
what you would call Noluble, but he
said enough to Indicate that everything
at the posroilice was first -uluss;" while
his manner would convince one that his
report. if Alr. Thomas could see it,
would make him feel that he Was fully
measuring up 10 the postal depart
ment's standard OF good postmaster
\ significant incident of Inspector
Gormans visit WAS his comment on the
absence of storm doors al the lobby
entrance of the p0stoflice. lie VAS sur
prlsed that they We're not in place and
frowned his dlspleasme at their alb
sence. Later, when he stood for Il few
minutes at the general delivery Win
dow and caught several cold blasts that