Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-10-20
PUNCHED WITH CARE.
Conductors Charged With
Embezzlement.
THE BELL PUNCH INITIATED.
Total of Fifteen Thousand Dollars
Alleged to Have Been Taken
From the Fares.

FROM the Fares.
Mr.. A. B. Lawson and his efficient
corps OF detectives have just concluded a
very neat piece OF work which ended last
night in the arrest of five street. car con-
ductors on twenty-one charges of embez.
element. 1t appears that about three
months ago the managers of the Los
Angeles Gable Company came to the
conclusion that the road was losing at
the rate of about 500 per day, or about
$l5, 900 in all, through the dishonesty of
the conductors. The company in order
to ascertain the manner in which it was
being robbed placed its own watchers on
the cars, but these were unable to dis
cover anything save that they thought
there must be something wrong with the
registers which the conductors carry. At
this stage of the game Mr.. Lawson was
engaged to unravel the mystery, and
his men were Immediately set
to work. 1t was discovered by
them that the conductors had a
very neat contrivarce for pocketing the
fares and giving the passengers reason
to believe that they were registering the
same IN regular manner. These con-
trivances. are small bells which are
called "brothers-in-law, and can be
concealed in the palm Of the hand and
rung at the pleasure of the conductor.
These bells are very simple affairs, and
are OF the nickel-plated variety, such as
are seen on typewriters. Over them ia
placed cap something like the cap to a
lamp. burner, and in the end of this is a
small spring which, when pressed, rings
the bell. The manufacture of these bells
go as to deceive an ordinary spotter is a
delicate piece of work, for they must be
tuned exactly in accord with the bells in
the register the conductor carries. The
bells captured yesterday were all
tuned, to agree with the bells
in the registers carried by the
conductors, and it was evident
that the manufacturer must have been
located in this city. 1t was learned by
Mr.. Lawson that the nickle bells were
imported from San Francisco and that
they were put together here by one who
is said to be an old hand at the business.
1t is charged that this man is A. H.
Mefford and that he had been detected
in San Francisco at the same kind of
work. These bells, it is said, he sold to
the conductors for 81 each, thereby real
izing profit of $6.65, and it is thought
that he has disposed of about 100 bells
altogether in this city and county. Just
at this time it is said that there was q
movement on foot to introduce the bells
all over the city at rental of 20 cents
per day but the scheme had not
been perfected. At this rate
the conductors could, it is said, have
realized a nice profit, for an expert
hand could in busy days "knock down"
between three and four dollars apiece,
and the low rental fee would have been
an inducement to many who could not
afford to spend 81 to take them.
After all these points had been OBJ
tanned by the detectives. arrangements
were made for the capture of the con-
ductors against whom complaints had
been filed for embezzlem ent. Last even
ing Captain Moody and two operatives
went to the southern end of Olive street
line and arrested M. Brennan, in whose
possession a bell was found. Brennan
was taken in a hack to Justice Kings
courtroom, and then Captain Moody
arrested F. 9. Meford, who resisted ar
rest strenuousiy. He was finally taken
to the courtroom, and a bell WRs also
found in his possession. Captain Moody
also arrested George McInnis, who man.
aged to slip his bell in his stocking, and
where it was found when he was searched.
MIR. A. B. Lawson arrested A. H. Mefford
on his car opposite the Pico House, and
placed an extra conductor in charge of
the car while he escorted Meftord to the
courtroom. A bell was also found in
Metford1s stocking, where he had con-
cealed It. MIR. Lawson, few minutes /.
later, arrested w. A. Lothrop near the
Plaza on his car. Lothrop threw his bell
under the rear end of the. car, but his
action was observed, and search for
the bell was successful. Lothrop was
also taken to the courtroom. At 7
O'Clock last night the five men were in
formed of the charges against them by
Judge King, and their bail was fixed at
$500 each. A. H. Mefford deposited
three certified checks for the appear
ance of himself and son, F. G. Mefford,
and Brennan assigned his bank account
showing balance of $4O5 for the appear
ance of himself and Lothrop. McInnis
secured bondsmen for his appearance
and they were ordered to appear in
Court this morning at 10 o'clock. Hon.
). nj. White is the attorney for the
Gable Company in the matter.
Mr.. Frohman of the Gable Company
states that the majority of the men in
the employ of the company have been
found to be honest and that they need
not be apprehensive of their positions on
account of the steps taken against the
above named men.
The street-car men were considerably
excited over the matter last night and
gathered in knots at the ends of the lines
and talked over the situation. The cars
ran as usual last night, the places of the
arrested men having been supplied with
extra men.
Electors can get certificates to vote to-
day all day long at the Clerks Office.
Those not on the Register of two years
ago must have certificates to vote. Get
them and vote "No" on the Charter,
Will bet ON Cleveland.