Democratic Sentinel, Volume 8, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 September 1884 — The Pay of Train Men. [ARTICLE]

The Pay of Train Men.

So common is it to remark that railroad men, especially train employes, are poorly paid, that we have taken the trouble to ascertain the average salary paid per month to the men in the different branches of train service, selecting July, which was the dullest month in the year with the Indianapolis railroads. The pay-rolls of three different Indianapolis railroads—which are a fair criterion of other roads centering here—show that on one road the highest amount paid to any engineer was $117.25; the lowest, $97.35; on the second road, SIOB the highest, $97 the lowest; on the third road, SIOB the highest, $96.40 the lowest. All were paid on the trip, or mileage basis, as is the case with a majority of the roads of this country. The pay of the firemen ranged as follows: On road No. 1, highest $56.70, lowest $51.80; road No. 2, highest $56.35, lowest $51.20; road No. 3, highest $52.65, lowest $42.70. The ground is taken that firemen are practically apprentices. The brakemen were paid on road No. 1, the highest $56.80, lowest $50.40; road No. 2, highest $56.70, lowest SSO; road No. 3, highest $52.50; lowest $41.25. The pay of the conductors averaged as follows: Road No. 1, highest paid conductor $98.80, lowest $87.75; roadc No. 2, highest $97.50, lowest $86.10; road No. 3, highest $96.20, lowest $85.80. In every case trainmen when business is heavy can considerably increase their pay by making extra trips. Freight trainmen receive the largest pay per trip or mile, but are required to do more hours of service.—lndianapolis Journal.

—John Smith, of Jeffersonville, who was not a practical butcher, took a huge butcher knife to cut up a calf hanging on a hook. He cut so vigorously that he cut the calf in two, and as he did so his knife slipped and entered his abdomen, penetrating a couple of inches. He did not think the wound a serious one, and walked home.' Surgical attention was given him, but he died of internal hemorrhage. —Lafayette is preparing to establish a zoological garden.