Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-05-19
EASTERN r. r. CONDUCTORS.

The Argus of yesterday had the following
correspondence, dated Portsmouth, 10th, in
relation to recent transactions concerning
conductors on the Eastern railroad:
Just about two months ago the management
of the Eastern railroad became possessed of
the idea that the conductors on their trains
were not doing the honest thing-in other
words that they were keeping large amount
of the company's money which they took for
fares. Whether this was brought about by
the discovery that the expenses OF the com
psny were largely in excess of the receipts or
not am not prepared to say, but the books
of the company show the current expenses for
March to be $64, 900 in excess of the receipts.
Well, these conductors whom the road had
retained in some instances for twenty-three
years, must be weeded out. This step would
meet the approval of every honest man. 1t
has been successful in a measure, though
some of the steps taken to secure the end may
be doubtful.
Twelve "spotters"-they were not detec-
tives, some of them being New York vaga-
bonds-were employed to go on to the trains
and keep an account of the money taken by
the conductors, paying no attention to the
tickets taken. They followed this two
months. Their returns were compared with
the returns of the conductors, and if the re-
turns of these men of no experience in keep
ing accounts on trains, did not compare with
these old conductors, the conductors were
marked. Last Saturday a conductor was
called up and the discrepancies between his
accounts and those of the spoilers shown to
him and he was told that he was not wanted
longer. Monday another was called and like
wise discharged. These two offered no ex-
II. Oh cd
bury and Daniel Philbrook, two of the oldest
conductors on the road.
Wednesday, Jacob Mudgett was called be-
fore Col. George, counsel for the road, aud
Manager Hatch, and told that on the night of
April 2, he left Boston with his train, that on
that train he took $l625 in money, and re-
turned but 50. Mr. Mudgett explained that
| the Sl625 was returned the next morning.
Mr.. Hatch examined the books and found
that the conductor was right and the spoilers
wrong. They then told him that two passen.
gers got on at Linden and he took no fare from
them, and they presumed he got it subse-
quently; Mr.. Mudgett explained that they
were season ticket holders. Several other
charges were preferred, in every one of which
the spoilers were found to be incorrect; and
Mudgett was put back on his train. l give
this explanation thus infinitely to show exact
may be that money has been stolen from the
companies by some of the conductors, but
that the system adopted to detect is pernicous
is beyond doubt. The accounts of the
spoilers are glaringly erroneous, and thereby
honest, innocent men suffer. In one instance
the spoilers charge the conductor with having
taken two fares from Portsmouth to Boston
at S so each, while the fare is Sl.75. In
another account they have the Bangor ex-
press leaving Portland at p. NJ, while the
record shows that this conductor never left
later than 2.45 p. M.
This of course does not destroy the spot
ter's accounts, but shows that they were mis-
taken in some instances The conductors
complain of Mr.. Manager Hatch denying
them the right to take with them, when they
go before him, witnesses or counsel. They
also say that though the company give out the
understanding that they are discharged for
stealing, yet they have not the courage to say
so, but tell them that they can draw that in
ference if they wish to.
This is the conductors and my own story
after studying a week. The management re-
fuse to give any information, saying that it is
none of the public's business how the Eastern
railroad is run. The public have great in
terest in it, if it is none of their business, and
the subject has caused more comment and ex-
element along the road than a small smash
up would. The conductors that have been
discharged or suspended are Woodbury.,
Philbrook, Sawyer, Pickering, Hobbs and
Beals.
Mr.. Prescott, the superintendent of the
road, resigned to-day and the resignation was
accepted.
The action seems to have been taken with
out know ledge or consent of the directors,
and though several of them are known to be
in favor of it, two of them who were inter-
viewed by your correspondent said they knew
nothing of the matter until it appeared in the
papers and both denounced the action. They
say the only result of the change will be new
and inexperienced conductors who will get
the trains into trouble and have houses to
build. PORTSMOUTH.