DOCUMENTS DEPT. LABOR ►ESCRIPTIONS OF OCCUPATIONS WAYS PREPARED FOR THZ UNJTED STATES EMPLOYMEMT SER¥SCE BY THE UNITED STATES BUREAU OF 1.ASOR STATBTICS V/ASHiNfiTON in 2007 with funding from IVIicrosoft Corporation UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR DESCRIPTIONS OF OCCUPATIONS STREET RAILWAYS PREPARED FOR THE UNITED STATES EMPLOYMENT SERVICE BY THE UNITED STATES BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS WASHINGTON 1918 • • • • • ^s la UUGUMhNn DEPT. INDEX A Air-brake inspector. (See Inspector, air brake.) ^*«^ Air-brake man 3 B Battery man, storage battery 3 C Cable man, chief, underground trolley sjcstem 3 Cable man's helper 3 Cable man, underground trolley system 3 Carpenter, car 4 Carpenter, car, f dreman 4 Car trimmer. :..... 4 Conductor, elevated and subway 4 Conductor, surface 5 Crane operator (traveling electric crane) 5 E Emergency man's helper ?*: 5 Emergency man, trolley wire and electrical work 5 Emergency man, wrecking crew, foreman 6 Engineman, chief, power house 6 Engineman, watch, power house 6 F Fireman, chief, power house 6 Fireman's helper 7 Foreman, car barn 7 Foreman, car carpenter. (See Carpenter, car, foreman.) Foreman, concrete crew ' 7 Foreman, conduit cleaning gang 8 Foreman, emergency wrecking crew. (See Emergency man, wrecking crew, foreman.) Foreman, excavating crew (including rock drilling and blasting) ... 8 Foreman, excavating crew (not including rock drilling and blasting) . 8 Foreman, iron crew 9 Foreman, lineman, trolley system. (See Lineman,^ foreman, trolley system.) Foreman, painter, car barn. (See Painter, foreman, car bam.) Foreman, suburban track 9 ra rv G Page Gateman, elevated and subway r . 9 Guard, elevated and subway ! 9 I Inspector, air brake 10 Inspector, air-door device , 10 Inspector, car 10 Inspector, car body 10 Inspector, fare 10 Inspector, pit. {See Pit inspector.) Inspector, route, surface 11 Inspector, station, elevated and subway 11 Inspector, street car motor 11 Inspector, wheel. (See Wheel inspector.) L Laborer, general, power house 11 Laborer, general, shop 12 Laborer, track and line 12 Lineman, chief 12 Lineman, foreman, trolley system 12 Lineman, helper, trolley system 13 Lineman, trolley system 13 M ^ Motor and truck repairer's helper. (See Repair man, helper, motor and truck.) Motor instructor, elevated and subway 13 Motorman, elevated and subway 13 Motorman, surface 14 O Oiler, power house 14 P Painter, car body 14 Painter, foreman, car barn 14 Painter, general 14 Painter, letterer and striper 15 Painter, rough 15 Painter, sign 15 Painter, sign letterer 15 Painter, structural steel and bridge work 16 Pit inspector 16 Pitman -. 16 Platform man, elevated and subway .; 16 Plow repairer, underground trolley *. 17 Porter, station. {See Station porter, elevated and subway.) R Page Repair man, air compressor 17 Repair man and inspector, street car controller 17 Repair man, car barn 17 Repair man, helper, motor and truck 17 Repair man, interlocking and signal service 18 Repair man, motor and truck 18 Repair man, plow. {See Plow repairer, underground trolley.) Repair man, power house 18 Repair man, street car fender 18 Repair man, street car wiring 19 Road master 19 S Section man 19 Special officer, elevated and subway 19 Station agent, elevated and subway. 20 Station master, elevated and subway 20 Station porter, elevated and subway ^ . 20 Switchman 20 T Ticket chopper. (See Gateman, elevated and subway.) Timekeeper, track and line 20 Towerman 21 Track walker 21 Train clerk, elevated and subway 21 Train dispatcher, elevated and subway . 21 Train master, elevated and subway 22 Train starter, elevated and subway 22 Trouble dispatcher 22 W Wheel inspector 23 CODETWORDS CODE WORD Aim B^te. . . Cabber . Caddis . , Cadent . Camper Campife Canary . Cancel.. Candid . Chess . . . Etch... Ether.. Evict... Evoke. . Exist... First... Fish.... Foggy.. Foil.... Fold... Folk.... Folly... Fond... Foray. . Gloom.. Gloss . . . Inure . . . PAGE 3 3 3 3 8 4 4 4 4 5 5 6 6 5 5 6 6 .7 7 7 8 8 8 9 9 9 9 10 CODE WORD Iota... Irate . . Irid... Irony . , Issue. . Item . . Ivory . , Ledge . Leer . . . Lemon Libel.. Like. . Lilac . . Limp . . Mixed . Moat.. Mob.. Onion . Pelt... Pen... Pence . Pole... Pose . . Prate . . Prism . Prize . . Probe . Prod.. PAGE 10 10 10 10 11 11 11 11 12 12 12 12 13 13 13 13 14 14 15 15 16 14 14 14 15 15 16 16 CODE WORD PAGE Prone . Prong . Ready . Repel . Reply. Revel. Rice . . , Ride.. Rider . Rifle.. Rift... Rig. . . Spur . . Spurn . SpurT; . Spy... Stab.. Stack . Trot.. Trout. Troy.. Truce . Truck. True.. Truly. Trunk, Whiff. 16 17 18 17 18 18 17 17 17 18 19 19 19 19 20 20 20 20 20 21 21 21 21 22 22 22 23 VI DESCRIPTIONS OF OCCUPATIONS: STREET RAILWAYS PREPARED FOR THE U. S. EMPLOYMENT SERVICE BY THE U. S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT These descriptions of occupations are based on investigations, in- cluding private interviews and correspondence, extending over prac- tically the entire United States. 'The outstanding fact developed by these investigations is that there are few standard or generally accepted occupational names or definitions. It has been necessary, therefore, for the Bureau of Labor Statistics to define certain occupational terms and classifications and to assume the acceptance of these definitions by those using the de- scriptions. The bureau is fully aware of the fact that some impor- tant occupations have probably been omitted and that in some cases subdi\asions may have been carried too far. These faults can be cor- rected only by means of suggestions and criticisms arising from the use of the descriptions in filling positions. The users of these descriptions are urged to send to the Bureau of Labor Statistics all suggestions and criticisms as they arise, so that eventually there may be developed a national standard of occupational descriptions. Acknowledgment The Bureau of Labor Statistics wishes to thank all those who have contributed to the compilation of these (J^scriptions. So many in- dividuals and representatives of various organizations have been consulted that it is impossible to make special mention of such services. (1; ~~ PREFATORY STATEMENT IMPORTANT The objects of these descriptions are to furnish definitions of the various occu- pations, so that specifications for help may be made uniform, and to furnish a means by which the prospective employee may be informed as to the nature of the work he will be expected to do. Each occupation has been described under the most generally accepted title. The descriptions have been carefully prepared with the view of stating clearly and briefly what each occupation requires in the way of performance and qualifications, so that a foreman or employment manager can readily specify the help wanted and can pick the worker best fitted to fill the position. Without such standard definitions advertisements and appeals from the various Government departments or from a central employment agency would lose their effectiveness, especially when the recruiting is Nation wide. The statement of actual requirements imder the heading of "schooling" does not have reference to those already working, but should be interpreted to mean that no one should enter the specified position at the present time without having the equivalent of the stated schooling. "Common school" signifies the completion of the common school course. Directions for using descriptions and code words INDEX: JfL order to find any given occupational description use the index. CODE WORDS: Each description has a code word which, when communi- cated to any person who has access to these descriptions of occupations will enable him to ascertain exactly what is called for by referring to the description indicated by the code word. (See Code words.) If an employee is wanted who has training sufficient to do work in any two or more occupations described, the code words of these descriptions should be com- bined to indicate the combination of qualifications; for example: The code word designating a Carpenter, car, and a Car trimmer (see page 4), woiild be Camper- Canary. (2) DESCRIPTIONS OF OCCUPATIONS AIR-BRAKE INSPECTOR. {See Inspector, air brake.) AIR-BRAKE MAN AIM Description: The air-brake man cleans, adjusts and repairs the various parts of an air-brake equipment. Qualifications : He should be a machine fitter who has specialized on air-brake work. He must be able to take out, repair, and replace any part of an air- brake system. He must thoroughly understand the mechanical operation of the air compressor, valves, compressing motor, and operating devices. He should have had experience as a helper to an air-brake man and should have had considerable experience as a joiu*neyman air-brake man. Schooling: Common school. BATTERY MAN, STORAGE BATTERY BATE Description: The battery man recharges the batteries in the storage battery cars. He also inspects, renews and repairs storage battery parts. Qualifications : He should be f amiUar with the methods of recharging batteries and should have had sufficient experience to know when plates, poles and chemicals require renewal. Schooling: Common school. CABLE MAN, CHIEF, UNDERGROUND TROLLEY SYSTEM CABBER Description: The chief cable man directs and supervises the operations of cable men and helpers in looking after feeder connections, conductor bar flared ends, and pick ups at switches on the underground system. He in- structs inexperienced helpers and makes a report of all the work done. Qualifications : He must be thoroughly experienced as a cable man and be able to cut cables, make up jumpers, drill holes in the conductor bars and bolt on the jumpers, connect feeders to the conductor bars, wipe lead cable joints, and take care of conductor bar flared ends. He must be physically strong and accustomed to work outdoors in all kinds of weather. He must be able to direct and instruct his men and to keep accurate records. Schooling: Preferably high school, with some technical training. CABLE MAN'S HELPER CADDIS Description: The cable man's helper assists the cable man in the installation, maintenance, and repair of feeders, jumpers and all other cable work. Qualifications: He must have physical strength and endurance, and should have a desire to learn the work of a cable man. Schooling: Common school. t CABLE MAN, UNDERGROUND TROLLEY SYSTEM CADENT Description: The cable man installs, maintains, and repairs feeders, feeder connections, jumpers and jumper connections, conductor bar flared ends, and all other cable work on the underground conduit system, and inspects the equipment that comes within his territory, (3) Qualifications: He should be able to work to drawings, understand line dia- grams, and be familiar with underground trolley system specifications. He must be able to cut cables, splice cables, put in jumpers, connect in feeders and conductor bars, wipe lead joints, and must be qualified to make a final cable inspection and report. He should have worked as a helper, should have had considerable experience as a journeyman, and should be able to handle men. Schooling: Common school. CARPENTER, CAR CAMPER Description: The car carpenter constructs and repairs wooden parts of car bodies and trimmings. Qualifications: He should have had experience as a general carpenter in a railroad car shop or car building plant. He must be able to work to drawings, lay out and build wooden frames, make and place doors, lay floors, and put on roofs, sides and ends of either wooden or steel frame cars. He must be a thoroughly capable general carpenter, skilled in the use of all tools and having some experience with wood working machinery. Schooling: Common school or better. CARPENTER, CAR, FOREMAN CAMPUS Description : This foreman has charge of all woodwork construction and repair. He directs and supervises the work of all the carpenters under him, and himseK assists and does difficult work. He manages his branch of the shop, is responsible for the equipment, and looks after the material and suppUes. He has charge of the work of the upholsterers and trimmers, and of the galvanizing work. He keeps a record of all the work done in his shop, and makes a daily time report for his men. Qualifications : He must be an experienced body builder and general carpenter, skilled in handhng all carpenter's tools and in operating planer, lathe, band saw, circular saw, joiner, and steam shaping apparatus. He should under- stand thoroughly all the wooden construction of a car, such as steps, windows, body, paneUng and wooden controller box. He must be able to work to drawings and to direct the work of the men under him. He should have worked as a car repair man. Schooling: Common school. CAR TRIMMER CANARY Description: The car trimmer does car repair work under the direction of the carpenter foreman. He upholsters seats, repairs old curtains and installs new ones, places new canvas roof covering, and constructs illuminated signs. Qualifications : He must be experienced either as a car trimmer or as a carriage trimmer, and must understand upholstering, window curtains, and canvas covering. He should have skill in the use of the general carpenter's hand tools. He should have had the equivalent of an apprenticeship and should have done some work as a journeyman. Schooling: Common school. CONDUCTOR, ELEVATED AND SUBWAY CANCEL Description: The conductor has charge of a train and is responsible for the safety, proper care, and regularity thereof, and for the conduct of the guards. It is his duty to see that all rules pertaining to trainmen, passengers, emer- gencies, ventilation, heating, fighting, and signals are observed; that the train is kept on schedule time; that proper stops are made at all stations. 5 He makes full reports to the superintendent, in. writing, of all accidents, detentions^ and unusual occurrences, and of diflBculties with passengers; also makes a daily report for the train clerk. The conductor is usually stationed between the first and second cars of the train where he performs the duties of guard and signals the motorman when to start. Qualifications: Experience as guard is a prerequisite. He must be able to pass a thorough physical examination, to endure exposure to all weather or to the atmosphere of the subway, and to remain standing for long periods. It is also essential that he be courteous, tactful, careful, and qualified to come ■ in contact with all kinds of people. , He must be able to speak English and to enunciate distinctly. Schooling: Common school. CONDUCTOR, SURFACE CANDID Description: The surface car conductor has charge of the car, and signals the motorman when to start and stop. He collects fares, issues transfers, and assists and safeguards passengers. On some types of car, he opens and closes the door. On lines which use the overhead trolley, he shifts the trolley pole when the car reverses, and puts it back on the wire when it sUps off. He makes a report of fares, transfers, trips, accidents, and delays. Qualifications : He must be physically strong and able to remain standing for , long periods. He should be courteous, tactful, quahfied to come into con- • tact with all kinds of people, and sufficiently responsible to handle money. Schooling: Common school. CRANE OPERATOR (Traveling electric crane) CHESS Description : The duties of the travehng electric crane operator are to manipu- late controlling devices of an electric crane in the lifting and sliifting of material. Qualifications: The traveling electric crane operator must be able to handle the lifting devices on the crane and make single or double Hfts under the direction of the crane man. In addition he must know how to oil the machinery of the crane and be famiHar enough with all the working parts to make reports when they are not working right. He must be t|ioroughly familiar with all the signals used by the crane man. He must be physically fit and alert and must pass an examination for eyesight, color sight, and hearing and be able to think and act quickly. Schooling: Common school. EMERGENCY MAN'S HELPER EVICT Description: The emergency man's helper does general work in the assistance of the emergency men, for which position he is in training. Qualifications: He must have physical strength and endurance and a desire to learn the work of an emergency man. Schooling: Common school. EMERGENCY MAN, TROLLEY WIRE AND IELECTRICAL WORK EVOKE Description: ITie duties of the emergency man on trolley wire and electrical work are to do either permanent or temporary repair work that might be required to keep the car service going. Qualifications: He must be a high-tension wireman, must be thoroughly famiHar mth the hanging and guying of trolley wires, and must thoroughly understand the feeder and booster system. He must understand the methods of sphcing trolley wires, be thoroughly familar with tackle and clamps used in stretching trolley wires, and should have a good general knowledge of 6 electrical measurements. He should have done suflficient work on high- tension work to have become familiar -svith the danger with high-tension circuits. Schooling: Common school EMERGENCY MAN, WRECKING CREW, FOREMAN EXIST Description: The duties of the foreman of an emergency wrecking crew are to take charge of the wrecking car outfit and clear all kinds of track obstruc- tions that require the services of a special outfit. -* Qualifications: He must be able to direct the work of boom cranes or other type of wrecking cranes, must direct the running of the repair car, must be able to read drawings and work to mechanical specifications, and must be thoroughly famihar with jacks, cranes and other lifting devices. He must be able to clear a wreck completely and report to the proper department the time and material used in making the repair. Schooling: Common school; preferably high school or technical school. ENGINEMAN, CHIEF, POWER HOUSE ETCH Description: The chief engineman has charge of the power plant and all men working there. He supervises the operation of turbine generators, exciters, converters, condensers, pumps, and boilers. He keeps charts and records of the operation of each separate engine, the coal used, the total load carried on all feeding Unes, th(; kilowatt hours, and the voltage. He supervises all repairing, construction, testing, and cleaning, and directs the transfer of coal from barges or cars to the bins, and the removal of ashes. Qualifications: He must have a first-class license, granted upon examination. His knowledge and experience must cover all the equipment in the plant — turbine generators, boilers, pumps, converters, exciters, condensers, con- veyors, switchboards, storage batteries, feed wires and indicators of all kinds r their operation, maintenance, and repair. He must be a good mathema- tician and be able to read drawings and to keep charts and graphs. The position also requires that he have the ability to select and to deal with and handle the men under him. Schooling: Common school; technical school or its equivalent. ENGINEMAN, WATCH, POWER HOUSE ETHER Description: The watch engineman is in direct charge of turbine generators, condensers, pumps, exciters, converters, and boilers during the period of his watch, usually eight hours. He takes readings from the indicators of the engines and watches the load carried and the coal supply. The work of the switchlioard operator, oilers> and firemen is under his supervision. He assists in and directs repairing and testing of the engines, and looks out for the safety of the men. Qualifications: He must be a Hcensed engineman. He must be able to keep accurate records and to supervise the work of, and instruct, the men imder him. Schooling: Common school; technical school or its equivalent. FIREMAN, CHIEF, POWER HOUSE FIRST Description: The chief fireman has immediate charge of the boiler room and his helpers. He sees that all the fires are properly tended, that the grates are free from clinkers, and also that the required steam is maintained. He operates and regulates water pumps; operates the automatic cofU feeds and the agitators; assists in the periodic testing of the boilers; and cleans boiler tubes with compressed air or steam. Qualifications :^He must have physical strength and endurance and must under- stand the maintenance of a good fire with the economic use of coal. He should beablc tojuse a slice bar and a peel bar, and should have had a thor- ough experience with boilers and fixes. He must j)e_qualified to direct a nd instruct his helpera! | * ~ *" Schooling: Common school desirable. FIREMAN'S HELPER FISH Description: The fireman's helper keeps the fires in order under the direction of the head fireman. He operates the automatic coal feeders and the agi- tators. He assists in testing boilers and in blowing out boiler tubes with comprassed air and steam. Qualifications: He must be a strong, steady worker. Should have had experi- ence in a large boiler plant. FOREMAN, CAR BARN FOGGY Description: The car barn foreman, with the assistance of helpers, does repair work to cars that do not require machine shop e(i[uipment. He keeps records of all the cars which come into the barn for repair or cleaning and of the work done on them. He also 'i)repares the daily time report of the workers under him. He directs the work of the car shifters and car cleaners. His repair work includes electrical .as well as mechanical cars. Qualifications: He must understand all car construction and equipment — motor, ''\ '\V^ ^t