Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-11-12
CONDUCTORS.
The Pullman Car Company Dis
charges Their Whole Force
TO Find Them.


New Orleans Times.l
In Mondays issue of the Times
mention was made of the fact that the
Southern Pullman Car Company had
discharged the force of conductors
running on the lines centered in this
city. At the time the reporter re-
ceiyed the information no one could
account for the cause which led to the
discharge of the men, but since then
facts have been developed. 1t APP
pears that for some time past the
Southern Pullman Car Company have
been impressed with the belief that
A RING EXISTED
among tie conductors, the object OF
which was to deiraud the company by
making short returns at the end OF the
runs. The matter was placed in
the hands of a detective agency in
st. Louis, and spoilers were
placed on all the trains in or
der to detect the conductors impli-
Gated. 1t is stated that the company
expended the sum of $4,000 in this
way, and in course of time the detec-
tive agencies made a report to the
effect that certain crooked transac-
tions had been INDUCED in. Upon
the receipt of this information
the directors at Louisville issue an
order discharging the men on the
big j" and Louisville & Nashville
roads, which was carried into effect
last Saturday. The strongest part Of
the proceedings is that no individual
charges have been made, and the bonds
which the conductors are required to
give upon their acceptance Of the po-
were returned to those who were
discharged and their wages paid in
full. 1t is evident from what can be
learned that
MANY INNOCENT MEN
are being made to suffer for the actions
Of those who are guilty. The prevail
ing impression in railroad circles is
that the Southern Pullman Car Com
pany when informed by its spoilers
that crookedness existed. determined
to get rid of it by making a clean
sweep of the force employed on the
line.
THE manner in which these men
have been discharged" said a promi-
nent railroad official to the Times man
last evening, lis, according to my
opinion, somewhat unjust.
why SOP questioned the scribe.
"For this reason: The Southern
Pullman Car Company must have
known, after the detectives made their
report, each individual implicated in
the steal, yet they 60 to work and dis
charge all the men-both innocent and
guilty. The company has the right
TO MAKE A CLEAN SWEEP
if it desires to do so, But they should
not have discharged the innocent met
in the manner they did, because il
places them in the same light as the
guilty. Do you suppose the company
would have returned the bonds tC
those who were discharged if they
were guilty Of any crooked work? No,
sir; their bonds would have been
forfeited, because the bonds are de.
posted by the conductors as a pledge
Of their good behavior. In Chicago
as | understand it, the bonds OF Ger.
tain men we're forfeited and theil
wages Withheld, which proves that the
company must kroW who the guilt
ones are"
The Times man also visited the Office
Of Mr. Bailey, the agent Of the South.
ern Pullman Car Company in this
city, for the purpose Of seeking further
information about the matter. Mr
Bailey, however, did not appear to be
willing to talk, and stated that he did
not know anything that would be o.
interest.
The reporter then sought the rail
road Offices aud learned that il Wal
reported from authentic sources thai
no changes would be made among the
conductors on the Kennesaw route, az
nothing wrong had been discovered
among the men employed on tina.
route.
The porters on all the sleeping car
on the Louisville & Nashville anC
4ED.- To L--a - Is