Semi-weekly south Kentuckian., 1886-07-06
SLEEPING-CAR SPOTTERS.

SLEEPlNG-CAK SPUIIERS.
How They Bring Unwary Conduct
ors to Sudden Grief.
Not hundred yards from Grand
Central depot is saloon largely frc-
quentcd by railroad employees, and es-
pecially by slceping-car conductors,
who, as a rule, indulge in fancy drinks
of first quality and display very fas-
tidious taste. A reporter happened
the other night to stroll into this resort
and ran across an acquaintance whose
occupation consists in shadowing sus-
pectcd conductors.
"You desire, then, to learn about
the secret service on railroads." COM
mcnccd the detective, after a conversa-
ton in the course of which such de-
sire had been expressed. "Well, those
sleeping-car conductors we saw Just
now in the saloon afford excellent
specimens for observation. The tempta-
ton to knock down fares is great, yet
il is altogether different now from
what it used 10 be in the Olden times.
Some fifteen or twenty years ago .
conductors berth was worth quite as
much as n seat in the Stock Exchange
or shcriff's appointment, but those
flush times have had their day and it
takes n great amount Of sharp practice
to beat the vigilance Of spotter.
However, to present correct idea Of
the clever detective work carried on in
this unique line, it would be rs well 10
give you thorough insight into the
business.
"Now. then, the Pullman Palace Car
Company on several occasions found it
necessary TO engage the services of de-
toctives to watch some conductors on
whom suspicion had crystallzcd, and in
most instances conclusive proof, show
ing systematic robbery, was fur
nishcd The dishonest employees re-
ceivc,l, of course, the grand bounce;'
new men were selected to fill the va
cancies. and still it was apparent that
heavy depredations continued to be
carried on. The case could only be
explained in way exceedingly dispar-
aging 10 human nature, but detective
who had been assigned on the work
for some length of time and thus
gained considerable experience, based
on close observation, ventured to make
n bold assertion impeaching the homes
ty Of nearly all conductors. He sug-
gested, consequently, to organize an
elite corps of railroad detectives, cs-
pecially picked TO meet the require
ments of that particular service, and
subject the men to an incessant and
rigid vigilance, Headquarters were
established in this city, and although
the extra running expenses incurred
by the service are quite heavy, there is
no doubt but many thousand dollars
have been saved for the company,
while the thieving propcnsities of many
employees encounter a severe restraint
by the constant fear Of detection and
disgrace.
"You think that long service has
hardened my Judgment and am wrong
in considering the majority of conduct
ors more or less inclined to dishonesty.
Allow me, then, to offer an eXplana-
ton. / am sincerely convinced that n
great many of these fellows would be
trustworthy in any other position, but
somehow the wrong-doing appears
trivial cr even pardonable because it is
n corporation of millonaires which has
to suffer, and the employees claim as an
eXtonuating circumstance that the bad
example of greedy directors helps to
destroy their feeling Of moral RESPONSE
bility.
"But, to draw an illustration, let us
imagine u case like this: An elderly
gentleman who in vain has endeavorsd
to adjust himself into comfortably
recumben' position on the rigid see is
of an Ordinary passenger car, resolves
to spend few dollars in order % Sc
cure good nights rest. Well, he is
courteously shown an inviting berth in
the sleeper, while dusky porter eager.
ly grabs the passengers sachel, and
grins complacontly ut the prospective
tip. Tho features of the conductor, on
the other hand, assume q strictly bust
ness-like expression, although there
might be reason to question his integri'
ty of purpose if one could only catch
his stealthy glance. The fact is oul
friend has cleared the way fora knock
down fare by overlooking the slight
formality of issuing berth-check tc
the new passenger, and he is now med
itating the problem whether every
thing is all right-a phrase which il
his vocabulary figures as q synonym
for 'spotter' being in sight. How
ever, the clever fellow has unfortunate
ly failed to observe the piercing eyes
Of. a detective who is watching thu
whole transaction through a small
opening in the curtain of an uppel
berth, and you bet he will get him OF
the list.
"You must understand the checking
Of a sleeper is avery complicated affair
and the detective who escapes making
some sort of a blunder on q long rul
has to be pretty well trained. Taking
n coach with fourteen sections, making
double the number of berths, it may
however, accommodate considerabl,
larger number Of passengers, as eacl
berth often is occupied by two persons
But the thing most likely to confuse
novice in our service is whenever th
same berth is sold twice during singl,
night. A passenger, for instance
leaves the train shortly after midnight
and another is directly afterwar'
turned into the vacant berth, merel,
allowing the porter sufficient time 70
changing sheets, etc. In eventualitie
of this kind it depends largely upon tn
detectives faculty of familiarizing him
self with the features of each passenger
and thus at a glance observe any chang
or augmentation of the total number
: "The life a railroad detective is nc
: very enviable one, l can assure you
He is hired on the express conditio
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