CONDUCTOR'S POWERS

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 127, 31 May 1934, Page 6

CONDUCTOR'S POWERS

WHEN A PASSENGER ANNOYS

A correspondent, "C H," lias described/ in <a. letter to. the Editor, < a divcitmg but not pleasant tram joilrney from the city to ono of the bay suburbs. Passengeis weie crowded together, and tho"..claim, .of riding coin±oll was scarcely upheld. But there was a di\ ersion, s a typical -"drunk," complete to the 'fo»ay" fin newspaper, homeward-bound with expressions of ■jijeacc, good will, and happiness to his Vife and family. This poison^ for some leason, expressed an * undying friendship to "O H," but on "being; rebuffed, became a diffeient man Afte.r w aruing the man without effect "C IL" went back to the conductor and asked fiini to put the man off,, but was met with a refusal, the conductor stating that the man had, paid his faro and he could not put him off if he was not offensive The writer replied that the diunk had been definitely offensive to him, but no action was taken The I writer as,ks what'is the--position m I such cases, anct adds that he did not .make a direct complaint to the Tramways Department as he did not wish to jeopardise the position of any tramway {ffficer. 1 The rule laid down in tho tramway regulations and also the city bylaws are definite" Intoxicated-1 persons are not to be allowed to boaid tramcars i Occasionally they do. slip by unnoticed, but the rules give tramway officers power to eject persons who cause offence to other passengers, using force if necessary, and to call on the police for assistance if they desire such, assist ance.. The decision whether the powers given shall be exercised must depend' upon tho discretion of the s tramway officers, and opinions will often differ as to whether the conductor has be,en, fcoo easy going- or unnecessarily hasty, but when a passenger has stepped too far over the bounds, fare paid or""not, tho fine spirit of companionship - and Hhc desire to do a good Job proporlyj shown by conductor and motonaati in dealing with the offender commonly call fortu expressions of great'surprise; |ijroni the drunk'arid of satisfaction irom passengois, <