Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1874-10-30
How Conductors Are Sometimes
SpOtted.0


In view OF the many temptations that
are supposed to beset railroad men, each
company employs n detective for their
own especial benefit, whose main duties
are to trace up lost freight and keep an
eye on the movements of suspicious en-
ployes. These men until the past year
or two were considered amply sufficient
to guard the interests of the various
roads, but of late class of men have
taken the matter into their hands with q
view of fccthcring their own nests, and
their modus Operdndt is here briefly de-
tailed. Suppose, for instance, that Solo
mon Slug and Silas Spotter have "gone
broke playing bank" or in any other
way equally effective, and are extremely
anxious to raise stake. They are fine
takers and call upon the President of a
prominent road, when the following con-
vcrsation ensucs:
Good morning Mr.. President"
Good day, gentlemen"
ave have called, sir, on rather deli
cate mission and one in which you are
deeply interested. Are you aware that
the conductors on your road are sys-
tematically swindling your"
"No, sir"
Well, we can prove it. If such was
not the case, how does it happen that at
any one of the numerous scalping offices
tickets can be bought over your road for
$3 or $4 less than the regular fare?"
This question rather staggers the
official and his visitors are asked how
he offenders can be reached.
Easily enough" answers the spokes
man; ."plaCe the matter in our hands,
give us carte blanche to go to work, and
we will prove To your satisfaction who
l,n 1(,, 10. Il - 4
in ferreting out the thieves we will not
ask any compensation for our services"
The proposition seems fair, and in nine
cases out of ten the bargain is consum-
mated then and there. Taking it for
granted that the spoilers were honest
men, and had entered into the arrange.
ment in good faith, little harm could
possibly be done to trustworthy EN-.
ployes; but, on the other hand, if the
private detectives had a grudge against
any of the employees, or were inclined tC
act as scoundrels, it is an easy matter fol
them to accomplish their purpose. Il
should be borne in mind that their pecun
larry success depends entirely upon theiI
capability in making cases, and this o.
itself is strong induccment to do wrong
One little scheme showing how thu
reputation of innocent men could be for
ever blasted 10y these spoilers was related
to the reporter. The moment the detect
i've secures employment he purchases
ticket, running the risk of being tina
. much out of pocket in case he SHOULD
fail to make a case. This ticket is takel
to the superintendent, who places
private mark on it, in order that it MAJ
be recognized at any future time. Tn,
spotter then boards the train which is il
charge of his intended victim, and, in
stead ofihanding over the marked ticket
pays his fare. On reaching the terminu
of the road n confederate hastens ava,
to a scalping Office with the ticket ant
dispOses of it.
When the conductor turns over thu
proceeds of his trip the marked ticke
is missing, and it is suggested to tn
Superintendent that the scalping office
be visited, which is done, and proof o
the conductors dishonesty seems plail
enough The detective maintains tina
the ticket in question was handed by hin
to the conductor, and the latter as
matter of course, where there are
large number of passengers, cannot re
member that his accuser paid his far
in cash. As a natural consequence tn
unfortunate man is ANONYMOUSLY dis
missed the service, with his prospect
for life blasted, while the scoundrel VIII
worked an innocent mans ruin comes oi
with flying colors.
1t is not maintained that this is n praC
tice carried out by all spoilers, some c
whom are no doubt good men, but til
circumstance is only related to show tina
men who have borne unblemished repI
tations all their lives are justified in re
signing position rather than run tn
risk of being made the scapegoat of me
who would not hesitate at any obstacl
that might stand in the way of their pre-
fessional reputation.-N. Y. OOnmerciC
AdUeFtiSeF