New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-17
ON STREET CAR PLATFORM
Experiences of Conductor Detailed
by Himself.

Working on the back platform of streetcar is
generally the last resort of a man who has lost
everything but industry writes New-York man
in THE Independent for this week. I do not say
this to belitte conductors motormen. I consider
IL nigh praise. What I mean is that know OF no
form of labor however difficult, that is harder than
working on streetcar Many men who fail IN
business, cannot make ends meet in their profess
sion. lose clerical positions, say. mo- thank
you" when they offered positions on the cars
They would sooner beg. steal live off their
friends. You may rest assured that the conductor
or motorman, whatever his faults, is not afraid
of hard work. 1t must not be assumed that it is
easy to secure employment the cars. In the
last few years there has been q slight improve
ment in the hours and slight increase in the pay,
and there are hundreds waiting for to die or
resign Some of them do the other, after
while; and now and then-but rarely though-some
man is discharged In my time. and since the in
PRODUCTION of the trolley in Chicago. where first
went the cars. there has been a distinct i'm
provement in the class of men who seek the work
And yet the business is not made up wholly OF
Chesterfelds and college professors 1t could not be-
Sarcasm? Not at all Let me illustrate. When
had been railroadng week had one night,
very crowded car. crowd of men and women
blocked up the back platform. I called:
Move up front; there's plenty of room up front
But they stood there and never moved an inch.
I had actually to push them up front. I had been
working over ten hours and not feeling any too
WELL and I did not use very choice language. When
the crowd thinned out and we were the depot
a man with high silk hat and fur lined over
coat came out and lectured me. He said 1 was rude
and he had a notion to report He told me
should treat each passenger If he were my guest
and as If anxious he should go away pleased
was angry and retorted:
do you suppose If I could talk and act Ike that
would be working for 81 10 a day during
blizzard?"
That was enough He did not say any more; but
reDOrteQ /
sign.
could not secure the transfer to another line
Finally I left Chicago with permission to use the
company reference.
1 went to Pittsburg. where obtained work easily
It paid "a cents hour for day Of ten hours the
best wages paid streetcar in the United States
/ remained in Pittsburg for year. and liked the
place. While there the papers had violent
discussion the question OF public ownership
of street railways. IT amounted TO anything
My owr opinion is that municipal ownership would
not be a good thing The service generally be-
comes run down at the heel the class OF men en-
ployed is decidedly inferior and it costs the PUBIC
just as much in the end Private ownership means
that a few men get very rich. but the service is
put on a business basis. the morale of the force Is
elevated and the people come pretty nearly receV-
ing the worth OF their money.
1 do not want you to suppose that had sine
cure merely because 1 satisfied with my po-
sition. 1 have a philosophical nature. and that
has always helped my journey through me-
My little troubles and grievances would hll a good
sized book.
A conductor on trolley can scarcely call his
soul his own. This may sound strange to the
casual observer. who regards the conductor as
petty tyrant, lordng it his poor passengers.
AS a matter OF fact he is subject TO the whims OF
the most insignificant person who enters his car
Any one can report him for incivlty or-worse-
lie about him. and he has black mark put down
against his name a the Office. Then there is that
awful book of rules and regulations. Every man
employed by the company has TO have one ana
every man has TO learn the regulations by heart
He soon discovers that there Is fine and threat
OF dismissal for nearly everything under the sun
except breathing lie finds minute directions tell
ing how he is 10 and talk in every possible
emergency.
He has 10 be most tarefaisiu case OF accidents,
whether they serious trivial. II John Smith
sprans his foot In alghtng from the the con-
ductor must interview John Smith. and II possible,
examine his ankle; and he must secure the names
and addresses of five six persons who John
Smith sprain his ankle. or course. that IS
able enough; but the same thing cannot be said OF
some of the other rules. For instance, II a reck-
less driver comes along and runs the pole OF his
wagon into my car. breaking window. ] am COM
PEELED TO pay for that window. Then again. II
Browns wagon scratches some OF the paint off the
side Of the car l am compelled to make that good
or lose my position
conductors lot is never entirely happy
During the summer he risks his life every time he
goes to collect fares along the edge OF the foot
board on either side OF the car He is liable 10
collide with a brick pile a lime kiln at any time;
and. wnen il occurs. he is either Killed laid up
for repairs In the winter time he is the back
platform, half frozen. 1t Is only fair 10 say that
the Enclosures around the platform of the OF
to-day are great protection during inclement
weather. / Go not believe the companies deserve
any particular credit: 1t took special of legs-
lature 10 make them do 1t. Then n never
knows when he is going to get a meal. He jumps
up before daylight in the morning. gulps down
hurried breakfast and hurries to the depot to take
out his lie cannot afford TO be minute late.
That would be a mortal sin not to be forgiven.
Patti could dsappoint audience but a
lives in the ~ tbo eo,7Iitntore bor1n
nr so re 20 OF Inc GoneufSor nome
passes up the dinner pail he cannot eat the din
reaches the depot the food Is cold. When he is
through for the day he hurries home for supper.
He Is no sooner through than he has TO go TO bed
so that he will oversleep himself the next
ing. 1t is not bed Of roses.
, beins a single man l was not affected by the
f Toss OF home lfe boarded With conductors
really disheartenng. He hardly knew his chill
dren, and certainly did not have chance to enjoy
ured woman, who knew how to cook and take care
of house Her husband earned, on average $4s
a month, and So paid out in rent Tor COM
Portable two story house that had neat bathroom
month for his tobacco. shaving and other per-
so nal expenses To my way Of thinking It was
10 81 she kept the table. clothed the children and
provided for her own wants. The 81 week board
paid her should be added to the total income | can
not see for the life of me how she ever made any
up the whole g. She was a natural manager and
with habits of economy was able to do these won
keep out of debt do not pretend 70 say that the
the same amount of money. So much depends on
the wife. II a man is fortunate enough to marry
make ends meet matter how much he makes
providing, of course he works regularly and turns
Just when thought Pittsburg was going TO be