New-York tribune., 1905-07-02
GOSSIP OF THE BOROUGH
Troubles of the Conductors and
Pokce-A Court Incident.

It doesn't require much riding around to dis
cover that conductor on a trolley car has to
have his wits about him every minute if he is to
perform his work properly. In addition to look
ing out TO see that he collects a fare from every
person who gets on to his car, he has TO see th2I
no bad money is given TO him ana that the
transfers he receives are the proper KIND ana
have not expired For the company VIII not
of course accept any bad money from its con-
ductors and under the present system the trans
fers on each trip have TO be placed in sealed
envelopes upon which the time is marked. Any
transfers which show that they were void at the
time they were accepted by the conductor are
rejected In each case the conductor has to
stand the loss Unwfttingly a conductor on a
Bergen-st car the other day fell a victim to the
-naudltn condition Of one of the passengers. The
car was fairly well crowded AS the conductor
passed along the running board, giving trans
fers TO those who had asked for them, the
drunken passenger mechanically held out his
hand and received transfer. He didn't want
it. and held It in his hand, gazing at it in a
stupid manner for several blocks. Then num-
ber OF passengers got with transfers. AS
the conductor passed along, collecting these
transfers the inebriated individual, scarcely
conscious Of what he was doing held, out the
transfer he had just received. The conductor,
not realizing that the man had not just got on,
took the transfer and rang up a fare. OF
course. when IL came time TO turn in the results
OF the run the conductor could not use OF
his own transfers, so he had to put up 4 nickel
Of his own for the fare he had rung up Pos
sibly he was placed under suspicion for a stupid
attempt 10 cheat the company Another case
OF where conductor was unwitungly wronged
by q passenger where the latter happened
10 have e transfer o9 the day before which he
had not used, as well as one lie had just re-
ceived, in his pocket When the conductor came
around he fshed transfer out Of his pocket,
handed it over TO the conductor, who accepted
II with only a casual glance ana rang up fare
Several hours later the passenger discovered the
transfer of current date IN his pocket and
realized that he had given the old transfer to
the conductor. Of course the latter had 20 make
II good with nickel Of his own. In the hurry
Of collecting fares conductors have no time to
examine carefully coin that is offered The
suit is they get much damaged and counterfeit
money. Unless they are able to pass 1t on to
some unsuspecting passenger it represents q
loss 10 them.
Those who have ever seen the descriptions
that accompany the usual general alarm" sent
out TO the various police stations for the appre-
hension Of malefactors or lost persons wonder
how It happens that such persons are ever
caught AS a matter Of fact, If it were not for
some other clews the descriptions would be
valueIess The average man is always de-
scribed as "5 feet inches In height weighing
165 pounds" Il is rare that any distinctive
marks. such as moles or scars, are described.
The clothing is usually described in such
manner sack suit, derby hat and black
shoes" Something peculiar in the style or color
of mans necktie, which might serye to dis
ttIguish him from other men. Is given
The descriptions are general that any police
after hearing IL read by the sergeant could
go out and pick up three four persons
answering to il before he had covered half a
dozen blocks on his beat This general alarm,
sent week ago, viii serve fair sampler
Look out for man, having a Hebrew cast Of
counten1nce; feet inches, 16a pounds; wears
dark sack suit and derby hat; carries a box
marked -; wanted for grand larceny"
The box. according TO the description,
marked with the trademark initials of Of the
largest department stores in Brooklyn It was
rather amusing 70 think that the writing
the general alarm should think that the fugitive
when last SEEN II everybody with Hebrew
cast of countenauce" and carrying a box from
the deDartment store in question had been
rested the station houses would have been
crowded
on Thursday a Chinaman attempted TO take the
oath by swearing over the images Of his de-
parted ancestors. The judge discovered what
was going on and put stop 10 it The case was
that Of Charles Wang, accused Of assault. A
Chinese interpreter from Manhattan was called
in Just as Wang was about to be sworn Judge
Aspinau saw that he and the interpreter were
fussing over a couple of small ivory objects.
What are you doing there? asked the judge
OF the Interpreter.
are about to take the oath in accordance with
the custom Of native land Our custom Is
TO swear by an image, symbohcal OF our de-
parted ancestors.
we don't Go things that way here" said the
Judge. and the bits Of ivory were put UP.