New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-11
ONE OF 4 KIND.

voung man was arrested yesterday and
fined 50 by a magistrate for refusing TO snllt
his position on the back platform OF streetcar
so that passengers could get on and OH without
hindrance, and for using unseemly language
z,,bar, told 10 move by detective who mirac-
ulo,Isly happened to be present. The evidence
In this case seems strong, but if it had all been
a mistake and the defendant had proved himself
To he a perfect Lord Chesterfeld-which by the
u-ay Lord Chesterfield was far from being-the
fact would have remained that the things OF
which he was accused things that occur
daily all over the city.
No object Is more familiar TO New Workers
than the unmannerly cub who finds his pleasure
In obstructing a car platform and Is always
ready TO answer a remonstrance with stream
of impudence. We are not referring TO persons
who stand on the platforms because they can
not get inside and are IN a measure excusable,
under our system Of tolerating abuses, for the
discomforts which they create and share. The
real offenders are those who prefer to stand on
the platforms for various bad reasons-perhaps
because they want TO smoke in defiance of the
rules or practise the repulsive devices OF the
"masher" or indulge the rutfans instructive
longing 10 be generally obnoxious. Whatever
their special motive may be- such persons are
an aborninable nuisance which ought to be
abated and might be, if the streetcar conductors
whose duty it is to defend the decencles Of life
within their jurisdiction would firmly exercise
their lawful authority.
A chief cause for the persistence OF such evils
IS that many of the conductors have little or no
sympathy with afflicted passengers and are In
disposed to re'uke conduct which is kindred 10
their own. A resident Of London who is here
on q visit was telling friends the other day Of a
case in point. He got into streetcar. sat down
and began 10 read paper. A few minutes later
he was much surprised at being punched in the
ribs and, looking up, inquired what was wanted
You know we'll enough what want" said the
conductor; IL want your fare well, Why
didn't you ask for it," Because I thought yog
wouldn't 10 have the rest Of the passen-
gers know that you were trying 10 beat the
company" answered the conductor as he leered
around the car IN expectation Of applause from
some fellow blackguard. The visitor from Lon
don. who chances 20 be a social philosopher
thought that such thing would never happen
there. but told his friends that he had observed
queer doings in ali parts of the world and had
no particular desire TO complain of va
riety.
That was an amiable way Of looking at the
matter but there is no good req son why the PEG
pie Of New-fork should continue to be patient
under such affections. The experience related Il
uncommon, was not Of an extreme type. In
cvilities quite AS gross are constantly commit
ted by streetcar conductors The stock answer
Is that good breeding IS not commodity which
can be purchased 1T the current rate OF wages
But that IS Wc1Tisome excuse The managers
are able 70 make their employees. I'm a service
which IL frankly acknowledged TO Ire hard and
vexatious. DO those things which are supposed
TO he Oh sdVan9se to the companies. and they