The Clifton clarion., 1888-11-14
Protection Against Fast-LtvtnS
 Employees.

'"Tle time las gone by" said q Chicago merchant, "when business men could employ heip indiscrimi- nately, or even keep men whom they have had in positions of trust for years without knowing more of them than acquaintance in the store or office can give. Our confidence is so much abused, and our pockets are so frequently rified that we have come 10 feel that protection is absolutely necessary. About the only thing we receive which gives Us afavorable opinion of a man who applies for : work is an introduction from q mutual friend or a letter ofrecommendatiUn; but the friend or the writer of the letter rarely knows more of the mans real character than we do, and the recommendation in reality testify only to his ability to do work. They tell us nothing of the mans life after business hours-whether he passes it in q respectable and honorable way or devotes it to drinking and gam bling. An association is to be formed for the purpose of probing into this thing.
 "We think of organizing detective system for the purpose of exercising surveillance over our employees. The number of disreputable places in Chicago is not so large but that we can secure q pretty correct idea of mans habits without going to any very heavy expense. l was T member of such a society in New York, and it was of incalculable benefit to me. As an example of its workings let me show you this brief report" said the gentleman, dis playing ruled, partially printed blank. It read as follows:-
 "To subscriber 291: The person of whom you inquire is about 26 years old, unmarried. Has been in New York three years, and bears a good character. Often visits gam biing houses. Drinks, but not to ex- cess. Lives expensively.
 'This young man," continued the merchant, "came 10 me with the very highest recommendations. 1 wanted a cashier, and should have employed him had it not been for the report from the protective society. You can very readily understand why did not wish man who fre- quented gambling houses, even though SO quietly that his friends knew nothing of it, to handle my money. Neither would 1 knowingly employ man who drank, even If he never did get drunk. This young fellow could not understand why 1 refused his application. Many q trusted employe in New York at that time wondered why his resignation was asked for or how his employer learned that he occasionally played faro or went out with convivial party"
 "But if man is honest and faith full, and attends strictly to his busi- ness, do you store it up against him t,iat after business hours he gambles or drinks little??'
 "We most assuredly do. Among business peoplet ethe sentiment against dissipation in employees is growing stronger and stronger. The first thing we ask now about q new man is: Does he drink or gamble? and we purpose answering these questions through the new society. Experience has taught us that the reliable men those most to be trusted-are those who abstain from whisky and cards, and venture the assertion that ten years from now the drinking man will find difficulty in securing any employ ment-much less a position of re- sponsibility. A young man may drink and gamble in moderation for years and still attend to his work, but he is sure to come to grief, and his employers must suffer. We do not say that every drinking man and every gambler shall be discharged, but we are going tS find out who of our employees have bad habits. and you may be sure they will be given no position of trust or profit.
 ''I do not care to give you the names of any of the members of the new association. Suffice to say that there will be over 200, that they in- clude many of our principal business men, and that enough operatives will be employed to keep us posted on what we wish to know. ."-[Chi- eago News.