The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-10-29
SPOTTING CONDUCTORS.
How the Detective Business is Mana q,

|
road conductors life, that he is always
supposed to be "on the make" It is
not called dishonesty, but it amounts
to the same thing. A commercial
traveller sends us bit of his experience
in one of his trips to the Far West,
which will let in light upon this inter-
esting subject:
"Tickets !"
The voice sounded quite familiar to
the traveller, who sat snugly enconced
in palace car attached to train, the
destination of which was st. Louis. In
the person of the conductor he recog-
nized an acquaintance of many years
standing, and after he had collected his
pasteboards O conversation was COM
menced that ultimately turned upon
q subject which of late has created con-
siderable commotion in western rail-
road circles. Spoilers were the people
under consideration, and their pecu-
liarities were freely discussed. The
gentlemen who preside over the des-
TIMES of those who travel by rail have,
since time ipmemorial, been looked
upon with suspicion by that portion Of
the community who are ever ready, and
moro than willing to believe any one
guilty on the slightest pretence, in order
that they may be brought to their own
level. From their surroundings, rail-
road conductors are placed in such Il
position that they can easily be made
the victims of unscrupulous men tech
nically known as spoilers, and during
the past few weeks some of the oldest,
most trustworty and most popular con-
ductors running out Of ST. Louis have
resigned their positions and entered
into other business. This state of
affairs was brought about through the
directors of several of the roads ter
minating at st. Louis having employed
special detectives to act as spies upon
their movements. Directors of western
roads do not seem as Indifferent as the
eastern railroad magnate who entered a
jewelers. to purchase watch, and was
shown an elegant chronometer valued
at $500. The proprietor, in recon-
mendipg the time-piece, stated that all
the conductors wore similar watches,
when the customer related that his
conductors might be able to afford tho
luxury, but that the president of the
road could not.
10 view of the many temptations that
are supposed to beset railroad men,
each company employs detective for
their own especial benefit, whose main
duties are to trace up lost freight and
| keep an eye on the movements Of
suspicious employees. These men, un-
til the past year or two, were considered
amply sufficient to guard the interest of
the various roads, but of late class Of
men have taken the matter into their
hands with a view of feathering their
own nests, and their moduS o10erandi
is here briefly detailed. Suppose, for
instance, that Solomon Slug and Silas
Slotter have "gone broke playing
bank" or in any other way equally
effective, and are extremely anxious to
raise a stake. They are fine takers,
and call upon the president of promi-
nent road, when the following converse
| tion ensueS
"Good morning, Mr.. President"
"Good day, gentlemen.
delicate mission, and one in which you
are deeply interested. Are you aware
that the conductors on your road are
Systematically swindling YOU"
"No, sir"
"Well, we can prove it, If such
was not the case, how does it happen
that at any one of the numerous scalp
ing offices tickets can be bought over
your road for three or four dollars less
than the regular fare?"
This question rather staggers the
official, and his visitors are asked how
the offenders can be reached.
"Easily enough" answers the
spokesman "place the matter in our
hands, give us a carte-blanche to go to
work, and we will prove to your salts
faction who the offenders are. Ii we
do not succeed in ferreting out the
thieves, we will not ask any compensa-
tion for our services"
The proposition seems fair, and in
nine cases out of ten the bargain is
consummated then and there. Taking
it for granted that the spoilers were
honest men, and had entered into the
arrangement in good faith, little harm
could possibly be done to Trustworthy
employees but, on the other hand, ii
the private detectives had grudge
against any of the employees, or We're
| inclined to act as scoundrels, it is an
easy matter for them to accomplish
their purpose. It should be borne in
mind that their pecuniary success de-
pends entirely upon their capability in
making cases, and this of itself is a
strong inducement to do wrong.
One little scheme, showing how the
reputation of innocent men could be
forever blasted by these spoilers, was
related to the reporter. The moment
the detective secures employment he
purchases ticket, running the risk of
being that much out of pocket in case
he should fail to make case. This
ticket is taken to the superintendent
who places private mark on it, in
order that it may be recognized at any
future time. The spotter then boards
the train which is in charge of his in
tended victim, and, instead of handing
over the marked ticket, pays his fare.
On reaching the terminus of the road q
confederate hastens away to a scalping
office with the ticket and disposes Of
it.
When the conductor hands in the
proceeds of his trip, the marked ticket
is missing and it is suggested to the
superintendent that the scalping offices
be visited, which is done, and proof OF
the conductors dishonesty seems plain
enough. The detective maintains that
the ticket in question was handed by
him to the conductor, and the latter, as
matter of course, where there are a
large number of passengers, cannot re-
member that his accuser paid his fare
IN cash. As natural consequence, the
unfortunate man is ignc miniously dis
missed the service, with his prospects