Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 November 1901 — BOOKISH FARE COLLECTORS. [ARTICLE]

BOOKISH FARE COLLECTORS.

StudvnU M »tmt Ou CmdMtoH tm Holyoke, Mom. When you pass through Holyoke, Man., on thi trolly lino In the summer time, says a correspondent of the Springfield Republican, and the conductor asks you for your fare, be sure you address him politely, for there are chances that he is a college undergraduate earning money to pay for his tuition and knows a thing or two*besides fares, transfers and meeting points. Holyoke young men as a rule have a way of making a success in life, when they set about It, and a dozen or so very earnest and determined young men rely upon their work as conductors on the Holyoke Street Railway company’s lines during the vacation months to assist them in their efforts to obtain an education; and It doesn’t hurt them a bit, and the outdoor air and exercise—there is considerable exercise In the life of a conductor, which you will observe If you keep your eyes open—generally gets them into pretty good physical form for the year’s work at college. They are a standing rebuke, these determined, often athletlo and always courteous and Intelligent young fellows, to the many street loafers and cheap Jacks with which Holyoke is afflicted. “They make good conductors,” said John McDonnell, chief conductor of the Holyoke Street Railway, recently. "They are quick to learn usually and Intelligent and polite. We never have trouole from the eollege boy conductors; wish we could get more of them. Some of them run both ends, the strongest of them. It’s the policy of the company to have a number of men who can run both ends to use In case of an emergency. But they act as conductors for the most part What do they earn? Well, thal varies; from fl 4 to perhaps yls a week. Many earn sl6 for making extra runs. The regular schedule of pay is $2 a day and they work seven days a week. Most of them have night runs, and are not able aB easily to make extra trips. The best day runs are given to the men In the order of seniority of service." The summer months require a number of extra motormen and conductors, and the men striving for a college education have taken advantage of this fact, with good results, apparently, to themselves and the road.