PART II

. URBAN TRANSPORTATION--ELECTRIC RAILWAYS

Street railway operation furnishes rather regular employment to men on the regular force. From this standpoint it is desirable for the disabled soldier or sailor. It is not seasonal to any marked degree, nor is it greatly affected by industrial depressions; and bad weather only increases the need for employees instead of lessening it as in many out-of-doors occupations. Few of the street railway employees are exposed to bad weather conditions, although the work is not so protected as in an indoor occupation. They are, however, exposed to dust from the streets and contagious diseases. All of the positions on street railways carry with them a high degree of responsibility, but the position of motorman is probably the one of greatest responsibility.

PLAN No. 1005. THE MOTORMAN

The occupation of the street car motorman is one that can be taken up by disabled soldiers and sailors. Those who have suffered merely the loss of part of the fingers on one or both hands, or of a leg, can operate a street car. A car can be operated by those who are physically unfit for heavy work, especially if the car is equipped with air brakes and the working hours are not too long. But those who have defective eyesight, poor hearing, or are subject to nervous trouble should not undertake this work. Those who have suffered from shell shock should not attempt to operate a car until they have fully recovered.

The work is light, but requires constant attention, especially under conditions of heavy traffic. The motorman must constantly watch the track to prevent collisions with automobiles or other vehicles whose drivers take hazardous chances in crossing the track. Men, women and children must likewise be watched and warned. The motorman must acquire skill in operating the controller so that he can start the car off rapidly without causing the circuit breaker to break the current. He must learn to apply the air gradually so the car will not stop with a jerk or the wheels slide on the track. He must learn to estimate distances so that he can stop his car at the proper point. He must form the habit of never starting without a signal from the conductor.

The working conditions are suitable for disabled men. Stools are usually provided for the motorman, which he can use outside the congested district. Most of the cars have closed vestibules for bad weather. The working hours are irregular, but usually not over 10 in 24. Usually there are two work periods in a day, with a rest period of two or three hours between--the work periods come with the morning and evening rush of people to and from their work.

PLAN No. 1006. THE CONDUCTOR

The conductor’s position makes fewer physical requirements upon him than that of the motorman. His position is, however, one of responsibility, and honesty is a prime essential. His duty is to collect fares, give proper change to passengers, and issue transfers. All his receipts must be turned over to the company. He must see that passengers are not endangered in any way, especially by the car starting too soon or the passenger attempting to alight before the car has stopped. Accordingly the conductor must have good eyesight and hearing. He may, however, have suffered some dismemberments, and he need not be physically strong. Courteous conductors are much in demand by street railways.

TRAINING

The training for the position either of motorman or conductor is generally conducted on the job. New men are placed on a car with an experienced motorman and operate the car under his direction until they are able to operate a car independently. The period of training is usually short--a week to two weeks. Men so learning rarely receive pay. A number of companies make charges for the training, but refund amounts paid if the employee remains with the company a certain length of time.

WAGES

Wages for motormen and conductors are approximately the same, and in 1917 ranged from 15 to 45 cents per hour, with average between 25 and 30 cents for the entire country.[20] Advances in the past year have probably raised this average to 30 cents or above.

[20] Bulletin of the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics No. 204.

PROMOTION

Men are usually promoted from the ranks of motormen and conductors to be inspectors or supervisors. They must have a thorough knowledge of operating conditions in the city, a knowledge that can be acquired only by considerable experience on the job as motorman or conductor making all routes in the city.

PLAN No. 1007. OTHER OCCUPATIONS

In electric street-railway operation, there are various other occupations, some of which require skilled workmen. The skilled workers include machinists, electrical workers, armature winders, carpenters, car repairers, linemen, track foremen, and inspectors. Since the other occupations are filled with men who are unskilled, or who are taught on the job, we are not concerned with them, as the training is not such as the Federal Board could easily give. With exception of inspectors, the work of these men does not differ materially from that of the shop men and track men on steam railroads. These have already been described above. In the shop work there is opportunity for the disabled soldier or sailor who has defective hearing, as well as for those who have lost a hand or leg. The work is usually lighter than on steam railroads, but wages are generally somewhat lower; the greater number of employees receive from 24 to 29 cents an hour.

PLAN No. 1008.