The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1886-05-20
SLEEPING-CAR SPOTTERS.
How They Bring Unwary Conduct
ors to Sudden Grief.


Not hundred yards from Grand
Central depot is a saloon largely fire.
quented by railroad employees, and es-
pecially by sleeping-car conductors,
who, as rule, indulge in fancy drinks
Of first quality and display a 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-
pected conductors.
"You desire, then, to learn about
the Secret service on railroads." COM
menced the detective, after converse
ton in the course of which such de-
sire had been expressed. swell, those
sleeping-ear conductors we saw just
now in the saloon afford excellent
specimens for observation. The tempta-
ton to knock down fares is great, yet
it is altogether different now from
what it used to be in the olden times.
Some fifteen or twenty years ago q
conductors berth was worth quite as
much as seat in the Stock Exchange
or sheriff's appointment, but those
flush times have had their day and it
takes great amount of sharp practice
to beat the vigilance of spotter
However, to present a correct idea of
the clever detective work carried on in
this unique line, it would be as well to
give youa thorough insight into the
business. ~ aa.-
'sNow. then, the Pullman Palace Car
Company on several occasions found it
necessary to engage the services of de-
tectives to watch some conductors on
whom suspicion had crystallized, and in
most instances conclusive proof, show
ing systematic robbery, was fur
nished. The dishonest employees re-
ceiyed, 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
explained in way exceedingly dispar-
aging to human nature, but a 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
a bold assertion impeaching the homes
ty of nearly all conductors. He sug-
gested, consequently, to organize an
elite corps of railroad detectives, es-
peeially 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 propensities of many
employees encounter a severe restraint
by the constant fear of detection anG
disgrace.
You think that long service has
hardened my Judgment andI am wrong
in considering the majority of conduct
ers more or less inclined to dishonesty
Allow me, then, to offer an explana
hon / am sincerely convinced that {
great many of these fellows would b.
trustworthy in any other position, bu
somehow the wrong-doing appears
trivial or even pardonable because it il
acorporation of millionaires which ha
to suffer, and the employees claim as al
sxtenuating circumstance that the bat
example of greedy directors helps t,
bility.
But, to draw an illustration, let u
~ IL ~1
gentleman who in vain has endeavore'
to adjust himself into a comfortabl
recurnbent position on the rigid seat
oi an ordinary passenger car, resolve
70 spend a few dollars in order to Sc
cure good nights rest. Well, he
courteously shown an inviting berth il
,he sleeper, while a dusky porter eager
grabs the passengers sachel, an
gfins complacently at the prosperity
up. The features of the conductor, o
sne other hand, assume strictly bus
nesssike expression, although ther
night be reason to question his integr
q OF purpose if one could only cate
als stealthy glance. The fact is ou
Ilend has cleared the way fora 'knocl
eown iare by overlooking the sligf
..,ofmality of issuing a berth-check t
:ue new passenger, and he is now met
.aaung the problem whether ever
smlhg is all right--a phrase which
ss vocabulary figures as synonym
a 'spotter' being in sight. How
Iver. the clever fellow has unfortunat,
! ialied to observe the piercing eye
y detective who is watching I'll
mnoie transaction through sma
ppenlng in the curtain Of an uppt
the list - - ~ - se' nm
gu must understand the checkin
- sas ! sleeper is avery complicated affai
saa sa'a 1ne detective who escapes maxim
e''''e sort Of a blunder on . long RI