Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1886-02-17
WATCHING THE CLERKS.
A Mercantile Association for Protec-
ton Against FaSr-LIving
EmployeS.
From the Chicago \. ws.

From the Chicago News
''The time has gone by" said Chi
cage merchant, Nv hen bu-iness men
could employ hel p Unfortunately, or
even keep men whom they have hsd
i'll positions of trust Tor years without
knowing more OF them than acquaint-
ance in the store or office can give.
Our confidence is so much abused. and
our pockets are so frequently rifled.
that we have come TO feel that protec-
tion is absolutely necessary. About
the only thing We receive which gives
Us favorable opinion of a man who
applies for work is an introduction
from mutual friend or letter of
recommendations; but the friend or
the writer OF the letter rarely knows
mere of the mans real character than
we do, and the recommendations in
reality testify only 10 his ability to do
work They tell us nothing of the
mans life after business hours
whether he passes it in a respectable
and honorable way or devotes it to
drinking and gambling. An associa-
ton is 10 be formed for the purpose
of probing into this thing.
1--WE think of organizing n detec-
tive system for the purpose of exer-
cising surveillance over our employees
The number of disreputable places in
Chicago is not so large but that we
can secure a pretty correct idea of
mans habits without going 10 any
very heavy expense. was member
of such n society in New York, and il
was of incalculable benefit to me. As
an example of its workings let me
show you this brief report" said the
gentlem n, displaying a ruled, parti-
ally printed blank. IL read as follows:
TO Subscriber 2S3: The person of
whom you inquire is about 20 years
old. unmarried. Has been in New
York three years, and bears good
character. Often visits gambling
houses. Drinks, but not TO excess.
Lives extensively.
"This Young man." continued the
merchant, "came 10 me with the very
highest recommendations. l wanted
a cashier, and should have employed
him. had il not been for the report |
from the protective society. You can |
very readily understand why did not |
want a man who frequented gambling |
houses. even though SO quietly that
his friends knew nothing of il, to |
handle my money. Neither would
employ a man who drank,
even il he never did get drunk. This
young fellow could not understand
why refused his application. Many
a trusted employee in New York at
that time wondered why his resigna-
ton was asked for, or how his en-
ployer learned that he occasionally
PLAYED faro, or went out with a con-
vivial party"
"But il man is honest and faithful
and attends strictly to his own bus
ness, do You store j, up against hin
that after busieess hours he CANDLES
or drinks it'le:n
1--WE most assuredly do. Among
business people the sentiment against
IN employees Is growing
stronger and stronger. The first thing
We ask now about new man is: Does
he drink or gamble? and we propose
ans xerlng these questiors throtgh the i
new society. Experience has taught ,
Us than the reliable mar-those most ,
% be trusted-are those who abstain !
from whisky aud cards. and | venture /,
he assertion that len ears from noS .
he drinking mau will find il diff Guilty
n securing any employmept-much :
ess a position of responsibility. A {
-oung man may drink aud gamble in /.
for years and still attend ,
o his WORK but he is sure TO come TO ,
!rief, and his employers mist suffer. |
We do not say that every drinking ,
nan and every gambler shall be dis j
harged, but we are going TO find out |
who of our employees have bad habits, |
md you may be sure they will be given .
10 xosifion of trust or profit. 7
81 do not care to give you the names .