Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-01-12
Guarding the Treasure.

:" II would not pay robbers te make .
raid on one of our parcel wagons" said
the superintendent of New York ex-
press company to reporter. 'fThe ag-
gregate value of all they could secure
would not be enough for the risk. With
respect to the wagons for money de-
livery, however, the case is very differ
ent. There the driver and his assistant
have in charge sometimes hundreds Of
thousands OF dollars rich haul for
thieves II they could get at it. Bu
that is what they cannot do. In the
first place, the region where these
money wagons are generally used is in
the most crowded part of the city-the
downtown part-where there are thou
sands about all the time, and ii would
be impossible for thieves to make IN
attempt on our drivers without such :
struggle as would call attention, and
net only frustrate the purposes Of the
robbers, but in all probability insure
their arrest. There ares.always two men
in those wagons when tbey are out on
duty, and care is taken IN thsir selection
that they shall be young. vigorous,
| quick-witted aud courageous fellows
They are armed with revolverx, and
they know how to use them, bat nv in
structions are that they shall put more
confidence in their voices than their
pistols. A pistol, even the best, might
snap, but yell is bound to go of.
So, If attacked, they are expected to
make ell the uproar they can. Any
body with any knowledge OF New York
street crowds can imagine what would
be the consequence.
Beside, our wagons are arranged SO
as to put the greatest obstacles in the
way Of unwarrAnted intrusion compati-
bic with convenience. Look at this one
for illustration. 1t is . one-horse vehi-
Gle with only two wheels, and the only
way of getting into it is over the seat
in front, where the driver or his part
ner, or both, will be on guard Exter-s
nally il is q solid surface Of vanished
wood on sides and back. except where
that small window of thick glass, high
mp in the rear, admits light Internally
II is lined with heavy wire netting.
Inside, filling the space behind the seat
and fastened there, Is = heavy wooden
box, with a safety lock. That box is
never opened, except when The driver II
taking out q money package. When he
leaves the wagon to deliver : package
he locks the box and carries the key
with him. His partner. who Is left in
the wagon, has no means ofopeuing the
box, and IL would take thieves, even
with axes and : clear field Of action,
several minutes to get at it, coztenls.
When the driver takes package out
for delivery he is instructed to
either carry il hidden or in bag slung
to his left wrist, while bis right hand il
free.to use his pistol. Where we have
occasion to send money uptown, where
1850 SaN ~1A& R@AaaNsAF hGW KGaNJ0A -
the streets. wagon is sent with single
package, or perhaps two, and the men
are cautioned to extraordinary vigilance.
The system Is the same in ali the CON-
panies. Wherever N improvement Tor
greater security can be devised by one
II i Immediately communicated 70
and adopted by all the others, -
all are equally interested in keeping up
the common reputation for absolute
safety. Then another fact may have
some influence IN our favor. no
thieves know that our companies are
very rich corporations. and that we vii
prosecute TO tho utmost anybody who
makes an attack on the goods under
our care regardless il cost Aad sreuble.
! prosecution By IN express company
would not b Tho periurrtsry service !
n ordinary prosecuting aatornsT.s