Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-07-14
OUR NEW YORK LETTER.
HOW POCKET PICKING HAS BEEN
PRACTICALLY ABOLISHED.
That Is on Ono Race Track Near The
MetropoIis-One of Bob Pinkerton's
Jobs-Other Gossip of Interest from the
Big City.
Especial Correspondence.l

Jobs-Other Gossip of Interest from the
Ri: City.
Especial Correspondence
NEW YORK, July Thirty thousand peo-
pie swarming from cars and boats and car
riages; thirty thousand people pushing,
scrambling, squeezing through narrow turn
stiles and showing thirty thousand circular
badges dangling from buttonholes and sur
rendering to keen eyed gatekeepers thirty
thousand admission tickets; thirty thousand
people solidly packed on and in front of a
mammoth grand stand, pus- ng into the
paddock and pulling and elbowing and ours
ing in the betting ring for the privilege OF
losing many times thirty thousand dollars;
thirty thousand people scampering wildly
home again, hanging perilously on the edges
of car platforms and boat ratings, and yet
not ono loss by pocket picking reported and
not one thief given into the custody Of the
police authorities That, in part, is the mar
velous story of more than one big race day
on the grounds of the Coney Island Jockey
club. No more diversified gathering of
people can be imagined than that which
gathers on a race track when great equine
struggle is about to take place. The society
woman and the queen of the half world cheer
the winner from adjoining four in hand
coaches, and the Adonis of the four hundred
is showed in the betting ring by the equally
well dressed black leg who haunts hundred
dollar note under the bookmaker's nose. All
conditions of people are In closest contact.
1t would appear though the occasion pre-
sented rare harvest for industrious and dex-
ferrous pickpockets, nor does the malodorous
regulations of the police authorities of that
ocean edged end of the earth tend TO allay
the alarm with which Doodle blessed burgers
may be possessed. Yet it Is singular fact
that pocket picking Is an unheard Of crime on
the great race track and even on the days Of
the great races no arrests are recorded within
the clubs inclosure. OF course this state Of
affairs does not arise from the turf having
any peculiar moral atmosphere Of its own.
The cause from which this effect arises is
contract between the Coney Island Jockey
club and Bob Pinkerton, by the terms Of
which the famous detective guarantees, in
return for a certain sum of money, to keep all
thieves away from the race track.
The manner in which this seemingly unac-
complishable bargain is kept is peculiar, al
though not generally known. The Pinkerton
detective service Is wide reaching machine.
In its employ are bartenders, cigar dealers,
clerks and men about town who are not
averse to the secret addition Of $l2 per week
to their other source of income These are
utilized in various ways without their identity
ever being revealed. The information which
they obtain concerning any matter which is
being Investigated is generally more openly
worked up and amplified by the regular
Pinkerton Operatives" whose faces are as
well known to the big thieves as those of the
detectives in the employ of the city. Thus it
is that ones familiar friend may be in the
Pinkerton service and the fact never be sus-
pected-
When Robert Pinkerton undertakes con-
tract to keep "clean" that is the police ex-
pression) race track, or fair ground, or
| ballroom, or public entertainment OF any
kind, or large store, he first directs his OPP
eratives Che never calls them detectives to
notify of the fact all the crooked men with
whom they come in contact Bob wants
me to tell you that we have taken charge Of
the Coney Island track" is message rich
with meaning to one who does not walk in
straight paths. The big thieves know that
the Pinkertons never compromise case,
never try to push backward man who is
honestly endeavoring to reform, and never
them. Experience has taught them the full
significance of a message similar to the
above. and it is truly edifying TO heal one of
them, as did, meekly and cheerily reply,
''AlI right; tell Bob I'll notify any of the
boys come across
Naturally many thieves do not receive the
notification, some conclude to disregard it,
and there are many fresh recruits in the
IF xvbn hav vet a-
come known. To the care of these are all
subsequent movements directed. The sale
of badges and tickets is placed solely in Pink
erton's hands. The men who sell you the adj
mission pasteboards are Pinkerton operatives,
and so are the men who take them from
you at the turnstile, and who quickly eye
you; and on grand stand in paddock and
betting ring are Pinkerton operatives, many
of them regulars, more of the secretly en-
ployed kind, and few of them women. The
second class who are not supposed to know
the professional criminals, keep watch for
new and young additions to the ranks. a
very little practice schools them in the move
ments Of pickpockets. The moment one of
these youngsters is detected in a suspicious
act he is touched upon one shoulder, escorted
to the gate, his face impressed upon the
memories of the keepers there, and then he is
kicked into the outer world and warned
against again endeavoring to gain admission.
Meanwhile at the gate the face Of every
conner is being scanned. When a profes-
sional thief is recognized a warning fin
ger is lifted and he is greeted with: 1T
won't do, old man. We have charge
here, and if you don't stay away Bob
will get mad" That sufices There may
be scowl or q mumbled curse, but
there Is no scene, and those nearest do
not know that protecting arm has bees,
thrown up to keep criminal outcast from
the company of bis fellow men. In the hurry
and push, however, il IS natural that many
faces which adorn the rogues' gallery should
escape the lynx eyes at the gate, and then,
too, the operatives stationed there may be
unfamiliar with lineaments which are fixed On
the minds Of some of their brethren within
the inclosure. Those who thus gain adrnis-
sion are, however, soon observed Then fol-
lows touch on the shoulder, q whispered
They want to see you down at the gate,n a
muttered II didn't know you folks had charge
here" an incredulous smile, and in a few mo-
ments the offender is beyond hearing Of the
huzzshs Of the grand stand
Once in awhile a vigorous protester is
found who says: What's de matter with
de earthi I amt duin' nuthiD' here, and Ise
going to stay to play de races, seef' 4 pleas
ant intimation that the young bandlt-old
birds never act that ways acting foohshly,
proving unavailing. the operative never