New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-17

d 6s5 and we resolved to try our ehs5ees IN PhiIa
that a strike was going on did not ike the idea
OF working 'scab." but I could not afford to
For two days / did not do thing and the other
big pocea ue one ap gay; % moe oy t4H1
potato; decayed eggs and an occasional brick
Of 6 6ee dsg snd
me OF being retained no matter how the
were reign of terror; could not see it in that
one killed; possibly three or four men received
scalp wounds from missiles thrown by boys.
their condition would Be. bettered Il was not bet
and the hours are Oq now letter than were asked
Tor when that strike ordered. six years ago.
to eleven hours Incidentally, the municipality has
enScted good terms from the eoTPoEaton The
trolley system on condition that they would pave
their cars are run. This 1 venture to say has
made Philadelphia the best paved city in the Union
anees: both from the passengers and the spnordi-
from entering into disputes with passengers and yet
there times when the observance OF the rule is
utes after he has paid his fare says the change
Is 10 or 10 cents short; On two occasions when
the additional money rather than provoke quarrel
money on those nights proved that was in the
Perhaps the hardest feature of conductors life
Is the swing system. BY this arrangement. al
hours he really has to be on duty for fourteen or
fifteen hours. For instance. take my car out at
4
consume four hours, and then am relieved for
and work. until S Clock that Eight But receVe
pay only for the time am actually on my car. l
it is possible to avoid it. -'N ~ 49,
At one time drunkenness not uncommon
cars but the Introduction Of the trolley has changed
way is run no% like e any other large and pro
gressve corporation. As a result the character or
Drunkenness is a fault that is never forgiven in a
man If you lost your place through drunkenness
would find that black mark sim against you. The
habits of the average conductor and motorman are
good now. and few dismissed for drinking.
What is worse than riding In PhiladelPnla
people are crowded in like sardines; they trample
on toes, and the jerking and sudden stopping and
conductor sees it all more vivdly than the pas
are the actors one thing is certain and that is
Americans have a sense of humor-a saving sense
Of discomfort and imposition and still feel reason
vigorous apP Verbal @ f usually ends there
An American will laugh at thing t that " Tbi9
may be platform philosophy, but it comes from
years OF observation the back of str re, ar,
year | was taken with rheumatism. the Nemesis
When I went back the superintendent said. in view
OF the fact that worked during the strlke' ne
w wSsks take me on again if would wait for two
I concluded not to walt and went to Brooklyn
conductors steal everything but the tracks had
STAYED of in BrooRyn long enough to See that the
companies had network of protection throughout
the country against dishonest and careless railroad
men. and Brooklyn seemed TO be the mouth OF the
scoop.
MY last move was to New-York. the Broad
way surface line. like New-York It's pretty
good town. think I'll spend the remainder OF my
days here.
conductor sees the worst side of human nat
ure. What Is there in the atmosphere OF a street
that makes men and women. even on Broad-
way act with such vulgarity? Why will men spit
on the floor? Why do they send their feet sprawl
Ing all over at the risk of tripping up every new.
comer2 WHY do they spread their newspapers out
so as to obstruct me view of their neighbors on
each side? Why do they quarrel with the con-
ductor7 And why do they remain seated while
women are standing? And the women-why are
they so cross and irritabe9 Why do they accept
A seat from a gentleman without thanking him for.
II? And why do they try to palm OF nine ana ten
year old children heiEg under four
But in spite of all these things. and good many
more I like my job and am willing to keen ~
To get 20 cents hour and have the glorious
privilege Of living in New-York Is no small thing
10 me NV health Is rugged. feel that l could
almost digest cobblestones. II may seem queer TO
some persons but am sincere when say that
would sooner be a streetcar conductor in New-1ork
fhnr a loading citizen In country town.