The Labor enquirer., 1886-05-29
THE SECRET SERVICE.

How Detectives Are Maidstone OF Their
Dirty Work-Newsboys Said to Make
the Best "Shadows."
Forthe ENQUIRER.
Private detective agencies are spring
ing up with wonderful rapidity in Den
yer. There are at present four located
within five minutes walk of each
other. A peep into the sanctum of
either would almost convince one they
did an enormous business. Behind a
desk the manager is seated, always
ready to receive visitors, with much
courtesy. Their Offices are cosy, fur
nished in elegant style with a yellow
Brussels carpet adorning the floor. All
we'll organized agencies, especially those
giving attention to corporation work,
have their own armory where firearms
of the improved pattern are stored. One
agency in Denver has LhirtY-iVe rifles
and shot,guns and can furnish on very
| short notice any number of men to act
as guards, during strikes, etc.
In filling an order for guards the ut
most secrecy is maintained, word Is sent
to the men to call at the Office. Here,
an inspection decides the recruits fit for
enlistment Usually night is chosen to
dispatch details. The men ride in
closed carriages to the depot with their
rifles cased and packages of ammunition
The country is full of young men
ambitious to become detectives. They
J apply at the agencies by hundreds
leave their names and addresses with
the manager, who promises to send for
them if anything turns up. In this
manner a list of names ofamateurs soon
J accumulates to be referred to when addi,
tional force is needed Some agencies
request written application, and when
the applicant forwards the same. he is
notified to appear at the Office. A
printed form Is then given him to be
} filed out. Below are a few questions
contained therein
l. Name, age, where born, married
or single.
2. If others besides wife and chill
dren are dependent on yol for support,
give name and particulars.
3. Have you ever been bankrupt or
insolvent, or did you ever compound
with your creditors? If so, state
whether now discharged, and in what
manner?
4. Have you ever been in arrears or
default in your present or anv previous
employment? If 80, please give full
part iculars.
5. Give particulars and amount of
any debt you owe or liability you are
under; and also state whether you are
endorser or surety for anyone. and to
what extent.
6. Please fill in the following blanks
give dates of your employment and
names of your employers during past ten
years.
7. Name Of father, mother, nearest
relative on either's side and their ad-
dresses.
8. The applicant is required to give
below the names and addresses of as
many persons as posi- BILE for referees. not
less than three, who are not related to
him.
8. Have you ever been arrested, how
many times, and for what2 State full
particulars.
10. Give the names of any secret So
cieties YOU belong to.
Your record of the past ten years COM
pleted, it is handed in and the only task
remaining is to await your appointment
Some agencies are Indifferent whom
thew employ. 1t may be villain of the
low-browed type, it matters not 80 long
as he possesses ability and the shrewd-
ness necessary.
When an embezzler is located an in
tervleW is sought and a settlement ar
ranged Dy forfeiture of part of the stolen
funds. But If the reward exceeds in
amount and the fugitive's parents or
friend refuse or are too poor to aid him
he is apprehended.
Many cashiers and clerks are "shad.
owed" dav and night and and their
every movement reported to their am.
ployers. When shadow" gets snsni-
clous of a man he is watching he renorts
the facts at the office, is relieved, and
the work continued by a substitute
Newsboys. 1t is claimed, ma ke the hest
shadows" and are largely employed
With papers to sell they can station
themselves anywhere or visit anv bart
OF building without exciting susp,cion
Plnkerton claims to haye a man in
every secret labor organization IN the
United States He exaggerates. Like
other agencies he depends on renegade
members cf societies for his informa-
ton. Where was Pinkerton's special
man during the sessions of the Anarch.
lsts, p evious to the late riots in Chieaoo7
And why did he not prevent the massa.
ere OF his fellow officers? K.oFI,
DENVER, May 1S. =